Discover Castrojeriz: Way of St. James, Architecture and History

Castrojeriz Castle stands on a hill and is the first sight of the town. At the same time, Castrojeriz is an important point on the Way of St. James along its route through the province of Burgos.

Way of St. James

The Way of St. James through Castrojeriz crosses the River Odra via the medieval Puente de Bárcena, also known as Puente de la Vega. Iacobeus explains the reasons that lead people to undertake a pilgrimage, the preparations made by modern-day and medieval pilgrims, the dangers they were exposed to at that time and the remedies that alleviated their ailments. In this way, a specific route and the traditional engagement with pilgrimage come together in the town.

Culture

Outside Castrojeriz lies the Colegiata de Nuestra Señora del Manzano, a Gothic building dating from 1214. Its main altar features gilded furnishings from the period of Bourbon splendour, including an Annunciation by Mengs. The Convento de Santa Clara, built in the 14th century, is also located outside the walls of Castrojeriz.

The first room of the Museo Etnográfico de Castrojeriz displays various devices, agricultural tools and a wine press. The Museo Etnográfico de Castrojeriz has been housed in the renovated building since 1999. This places sacred architecture, monastic history and rural everyday objects alongside one another as different cultural perspectives.

The exhibition “De Castrojeriz a Brujas” examines the rise of Castilian wool exports to Northern European markets in the 15th and 16th centuries, particularly to the important weaving centres of the Netherlands. The exhibition also presents Flemish paintings from Castrojeriz and its merindad, illustrating the introduction of Flemish artistic models into these areas in the 15th and 16th centuries. Economic history and art history are connected here through the same exhibition.

History

The oldest surviving part of Castrojeriz Castle is a rectangular tower from the 9th century; two further towers were added later. The castle hill thus opens up a chronological perspective extending from the medieval fortification to the town’s later developments. Together with the wool exhibition, it creates a historical arc between the history of the local fortress and the trade relations of Castilian wool.

For planning the content, various focal points can be considered side by side in Castrojeriz: the Way of St. James leads to a specific river crossing and the history of pilgrimage, while the Colegiata, Convento and Castillo make the architectural and local history visible. The Museo Etnográfico adds devices, tools and a wine press to this perspective; the exhibition on Bruges then shifts the focus to trade and Flemish art.

Gastronomy

The Feria del Ajo in Castrojeriz is a recurring gastronomic event at which visitors can watch garlic braids being woven by hand. It complements the historical and cultural themes with a local tradition conveyed through a specific craft activity.

Further destinations: Belorado, Arija, Caleruega, Viloria De Rioja, Tardajos, Sasamón, Zuzones, La Horra

A holiday apartment in Castrojeriz can be combined in a personal travel plan with different thematic focuses: the pilgrimage route and crossing of the Odra, sacred and fortress architecture, museums, art and economic history, or the Feria del Ajo. The choice of focus remains open and follows the sights intended to shape the content of the stay.

For the overarching travel overview: Burgos.