Discover Castrojeriz on the Camino de Santiago

Castrojeriz is an important point on the Camino de Santiago as it passes through the province of Burgos. The route through the town crosses the Odra via the medieval Puente de Bárcena, also known as the Puente de la Vega. Here, a specific river crossing and the history of the pilgrimage route come together. Buildings, collections and exhibitions also provide different historical points of reference for the town.

The Camino de Santiago and architectural history

The bridge over the Odra is part of the Camino de Santiago through Castrojeriz. Its two names—Puente de Bárcena and Puente de la Vega—refer to the same medieval structure. The town’s role on the Camino through the province of Burgos is also important in understanding its history: here, the pilgrimage route is not just part of a wider network; it passes through Castrojeriz and crosses the Odra.

The Castillo de Castrojeriz stands on a hill and is the first sight of the town. The oldest surviving part of the castle is a rectangular tower dating from the 9th century; two more towers were added later. The churches reveal another aspect of the town’s architectural history. The Colegiata de Nuestra Señora del Manzano lies outside Castrojeriz and is a Gothic building dating from 1214. The main altar features gilded decoration from the period of Bourbon grandeur, including an Annunciation by Mengs. The Convento de Santa Clara is also outside the walls. It was built in the 14th century.

Museums and historical themes

Since 1999, the Museo Etnográfico de Castrojeriz has been housed in a renovated building. The first room displays various implements, agricultural tools and a wine press. Alongside the buildings, these objects offer another way to explore the town’s history: the focus here is on implements and tools rather than towers or churches.

The exhibition “De Castrojeriz a Brujas” explores the rise in exports of Castilian wool to Northern European markets in the 15th and 16th centuries, particularly to the important weaving centres of the Netherlands. It also displays Flemish paintings from Castrojeriz and its Merindad. The paintings illustrate how Flemish artistic models reached these areas in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Iacobeus offers another perspective on the Camino de Santiago. The exhibition explains what motivates people to make the pilgrimage and how pilgrims today and in the Middle Ages prepared for their journeys. It also covers the dangers pilgrims faced in the past and the remedies that eased their ailments. This draws a comparison between present-day and medieval preparations for the journey, while the dangers and remedies are explicitly historical in focus.

Local event

The Feria del Ajo in Castrojeriz is a recurring food festival. At its 44th edition in 2023, visitors could watch garlic braids being made by hand. Alongside the historic buildings, exhibitions and connection to the Camino, this festival tradition adds a culinary dimension to the picture of the town.

Discover more destinations: Briviesca, Busto De Bureba, Santa Cruz De La Salceda, Quintanilla San García, Buniel, Remolino, Hermosilla, San Medel.

For the broader travel overview: Burgos.