Detour to Vilar de Donas and La Iglesia de El Salvador

Camino Frances

Off Camino
4.50

Detour to Vilar de Donas and La Iglesia de El Salvador

‌Detour to Vilar de Donas and La Iglesia de El Salvador

After passing the bar of Portos, turn right along a gravel road. There is a fork at 500m, keep left and continue strait over the N-547. To the church and back is 4.5km.

Guided tours are offered by a local, and in some cases even when the church is otherwise closed. The official hours are:

Winter (November through March): 12-17:30  closed Mondays

Summer (April through October): 11-14 & 16-20  closed Mondays

The church was given to the Order of Santiago under the pretext that Galician members of the order be buried there. The frescoes in the apse depict the parable of the 10 virgins and is in remarkable condition given that it dates from the early 15th century.

City Map

Comments

Camino de Sant…

The detour to Vilar De Donas is worth it if you plan on seeing the church and its inside. This requires you to reach out to one of the villagers. Opposite to the church and a little uphill lives a very friendly elderly man, who has the key to the church and is very happy to give you a tour. Be aware, he only speaks Spanish. I hardly speak any Spanish, but his excitement for the symbols in the architecture is contagious and thanks to communication by „foot and hand“ I understood a few things. Either way, it’s a nice trip and a special stamp to have. See link below for more information:
http://www.en.viviendoexperiencias.com/la-iglesia-de-vilar-de-donas/