Lavacolla – Pilgrimage Routes and Tanning History

At the edge of Lavacolla stands the Cruz do Home Santo, a 14th-century wayside cross that was relocated from the surroundings of the San Martín Pinario Monastery. Lavacolla also has a wayside cross depicting Christ seated.

The two religious works are visible historical traces of the village. One wayside cross is distinguished by its age and former connection with the surroundings of San Martín Pinario, while the other is distinguished by its depiction of Christ seated.

History

In 1801, the leather merchant Gregorio Ambrós built a small tannery in Lavacolla. The Curtidoiro de Lavacolla on the banks of the Río Sionlla preserves the original dimensions of its buildings.

In 1811, the factory was sold to the merchant Francisco Rodríguez Abella from Los Ancares. After its expansion, it became one of the largest tanneries in the comarca.

The history of the Curtidoiro therefore encompasses both its foundation by Gregorio Ambrós and its later sale and expansion under Francisco Rodríguez Abella. Its connection with the village is retained: the tannery is located on the Río Sionlla, while the original dimensions of its buildings have been preserved.

According to the Codex Calixtinus, pilgrims used to wash in Lavacolla before continuing to the shrine of the Apostle.

Pilgrimage Routes

The Iglesia de San Paio de Sabugueira in Lavacolla lies on the Camino Francés. It is one of the last churches pilgrims reach before the cathedral of Santiago.

Its location on the Camino Francés connects the church with the pilgrimage route to Santiago. At the same time, the traditional sequence identifies Lavacolla as a place where pilgrims paused before continuing to the shrine of the Apostle.

Stage 2 from Lavacolla to A Igrexa (Cesar) begins at the steps of the Iglesia de San Paio de Sabugueira in Lavacolla.

The church steps therefore mark the beginning of this stage. A Igrexa (Cesar) is given as the destination; the stage designation explicitly names Lavacolla as the starting point.

Landscape

On Stage 1 of the Xiro de Compostela, forests and meadows alternate along the route to Lavacolla. On this stage, the Río Sionlla, also called the Arroyo de Lavacolla, is crossed via a bridge.

The landscape description combines two different route settings: on the way to Lavacolla, wooded sections alternate with meadows and vice versa. The route also includes crossing the Río Sionlla, which is also known as the Arroyo de Lavacolla.

The circular route RUTA 13 A Sionlla–Agualada–O Carballal–Lavacolla is 16.99 km long and classified as moderate.

With Sionlla, Agualada, O Carballal and Lavacolla, the circular route includes several place names in its name. Its length is given as 16.99 km, and its classification is moderate.

Getting There

Bus route 6A connects Santiago with Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport.

Discover more places here: A Enfesta, Calvos, Noia, Finisterre, Rianxo, O Sisto, Basoñas, Arriba

For the overarching travel overview: Coruña.