León – Villadangos del Páramo

• Trobajo del Camino

At first sight it’s difficult to see where Leon ends and Trobajo del Camino begins, since the houses merge together.

Besides the name, which certifies Trobajo del Camino as a village on the Way of Saint James, there is a small 18th century hermitage dedicated to Santiago on the right hand side of the road that passes through the village. After leaving the village, you come to a hill where you can see the city of Leon for one last time.

• La Virgen del Camino

A place of pilgrimage and prayer for the people of Leon on those days of San Miguel (29 September) and San Froilán (5 October). The modern sanctuary, built on the site of the previous one in 1961, is managed by the Dominican Fathers.

The sanctuary was designed by the Dominican Friar Francisco Coello de Portugal, and the façade contains thirteen modernist images by the sculptor José María Subirachs.

The Baroque altarpiece of the church, with the image of the Virgin Mary, was built in the 18th century and installed in the 17th century church. The legend goes that the Virgin appeared before a shepherd, Alvar Simón, asked him to throw a stone with his sling and made him promise to build a church in her honour in the place where the stone landed. The apparition, according to local tradition, is the reason for the location of the sanctuary.

• Valverde de la Virgen

A church dedicated to Santa Engracia. This village was once known as Valverde del Camino.

• San Miguel del Camino

There used to be a pilgrims’ hospital here that dates back to at least the 12th century. The parish church is dedicated to San Miguel and had a 15th century image of Santiago, which is now in the city of Leon.

• Villadangos del Páramo

The patron saint of Villadangos del Páramo is Santiago, as is the case with many other locations on the Way. The parish church is dedicated to the saint and the village of festivals held every 25 July are also held in his name.

The entrance of the late 17th century church has two painted bas-relieves that according to Millón Bravo depict the legendary victory of the Leonese king Ramiro I over Abderramán II in the battle of Clavijo thanks to the intervention of Santiago.

The central altarpiece of the church is dominated by an image of Santiago Matamoros, with a sword and three-cornered hat.