Discover San Justo de la Vega: Camino, Processions and Church Art

On the Camino de Santiago Francés, routeways, sacred art and processions converge in San Justo de la Vega. The route leads downhill from the Crucero de Santo Toribio into the village via the Camino de la Cañada. Continuing on, the Camino leaves San Justo de la Vega via Calle de los Vientos and crosses the Tuerto River.

Pilgrim Route

The Crucero de Santo Toribio is located 250 metres beyond kilometre 40 of the N-120 road in the Logroño–Vigo direction. It marks the place where the Bishop of Astorga stopped in the 5th century after being expelled from his episcopal see. In the 17th century, a hermitage stood at the site of the Crucero, on the hill known as “El Crucero”. The sections of the route through and out of San Justo de la Vega reveal different moments of a pilgrimage route: the downhill approach, the exit from the village via Calle de los Vientos and the crossing of the Tuerto.

History

The Iglesia de los Santos Justo y Pastor dates from the 16th century; only the tower with its bell gable remains of the original church building. The church in San Justo de la Vega houses a depiction of Saint Justus created by Gregorio Español in the 16th century, as well as a Gothic chalice with Lombard decoration.

The village’s older history is also connected with routes and religious artefacts. San Justo de la Vega lay on one of the Roman roads that led from the ancient city of Asturica Augusta. A sarcophagus was found in the village and is considered one of the few examples of Paleo-Christian art in the province of León. In 1869, it reached the Museo Arqueológico Nacional without its lid, where it has remained.

The Cofradía de la Sta. Cruz y N.P. Jesús Nazareno was fully established on 16 September 1838. Its possessions include the “atado a la columna”, the Cofradía’s oldest work; it may date from the late 16th or early 17th century. La Urna – as it is popularly known – is made of walnut wood and dates from the early 19th century.

Processions and Feast Days

The calendar of religious customs in San Justo de la Vega is closely linked to specific streets, times and processions. The Carrera de San Juan takes place on Friday morning during the Encuentro procession. On Thursday afternoon of Holy Week, La Oración en el Huerto is carried in a procession; twelve bearers undertake this task.

On Good Friday, the Calvario de Nazarenos is sung in Calle de La Carrera. It comprises 14 stations depicting different moments of the Passion of Jesus Christ. La Urna is also carried in a procession on Good Friday afternoon. During the processions, the Miserere, Psalm 50 from the Book of Psalms, is sung in the Mozarabic rite.

Rattles announce the various Holy Week events in San Justo de la Vega from Good Friday until the end of Holy Saturday, because bells may not be rung until the Resurrection. On Easter Sunday, members of the Cofradía carry the Resucitado through Calle de La Carrera. During the procession, images of Santo Toribio and the Virgen del Rosario, accompanied by the Pendones, are also carried up to the hill of “El Crucero”.

San Justo de la Vega’s Christmas and New Year traditions include Christmas carols sung by the “chavales” and “quintos”, as well as the well-known Pastoradas. These customs create different focal points throughout the year.

Other Places

Other village pages: Lorenzana, San Martín de la Tercia, Villanueva de Pontedo, Sahechores, La Braña, Vallecillo, Santa María De Ordás and Villacelama.

On the Way

In San Justo de la Vega, pilgrims will find a pharmacy, a bar, a restaurant and a shop before continuing on their way to Astorga. At the edge of the village, on the banks of the Tuerto River, there is a rest area with trees and tables for pilgrims.

To the higher-level travel overview: León.