Las Herrerías: The Camino de Santiago, blacksmithing history and circular routes

Las Herrerías brings together the history of the Camino de Santiago with reminders of blacksmithing and buildings from different periods. If you are considering the town as a destination for a hotel stay, you can focus on these specific themes: pilgrimage history, local crafts, architecture or routes through several river valleys. This makes it easy to plan your trip around whether you would prefer to focus on historic sites or walking routes.

Bridge, church and crafts

The Puente Romano de Las Herrerías crosses the Valcarce River and was partially rebuilt in the 15th century. South of the town centre, the Church of San Julián stands on a hill. It dates from the 18th century and is classified as Baroque-Neoclassical in style. The church also houses a 16th-century statue of Christ. The architecture and artwork therefore offer different historical points of reference: the church building is newer than the statue it houses. Another complex of buildings on the Valcarce River is called La Herrería.

The name Las Herrerías refers to four former smithies, where iron and other metals from the surrounding mountains were worked. In a restored old smithy, you can see the tools typical of this traditional craft and the former workplace. The mill in La Herrería retains all its machinery and is still used by the estate. The town’s history thus brings together metalworking in the past, a preserved workplace and a mill that remains in use.

Pilgrimage history and traces of the past

In 1178, Las Herrerías had a hospital belonging to the Church of Compostela, known as the Hospital of the English. One historical interpretation traces the name of Barrio del Hospital to a hospital of the English founded in the Middle Ages, and links the hospital to Henry II Plantagenet, who used it in 1177 on his pilgrimage to Santiago. The neighbourhood thus connects a place name with the history of pilgrimage. Barrio del Hospital is also home to the Castro de Peredo, which is of Roman origin and where trenches and remains of walls are visible.

The Camino de Santiago and a circular route

The Camino de Santiago reaches Las Herrerías shortly after Ruitelán and continues from there, before the strenuous climb towards O Cebreiro begins. The circular route Entre Fuentes y Muiños starts in Barrio del Hospital. This loop has a short option of 11.4 kilometres and a long option of 16 kilometres. The difference between the two distances is 4.6 kilometres, giving you a concrete basis for comparing the length of the routes. The route passes through several river valleys, whose streams feed into the Valcarce. Another route from Las Herrerías leads to Molino Verde and a fully preserved mill. This lets you choose between the Camino de Santiago, a loop with two distance options and a route connected with mills.

Getting your bearings at the edge of town

At the edge of Las Herrerías, by Fuente de Don Suero, there is a shaded rest area with a table, benches and a barbecue. If you plan to make this a firm part of your visit, check its current condition shortly beforehand. Together with the routes and historic sites, this provides a point of reference for planning a stay around different interests.

Discover more destinations: Sahagún, Villaseca De Laciana, San Cipriano Del Condado, Cacabelos, Santa Colomba de las Arrimadas, Galleguillos de Campos, San Juan De La Mata, Borrenes.

For the broader travel overview: León.