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Wise Pilgrim APPO Burgo sits at the head of the Ría, and crossing the medieval bridge here is one of the best moments on this stretch. The Ponte do Burgo dates to the 14th century, built by the Andrade family and inscribed "Ave María Gracia Plena." Sir John Moore destroyed it during the Peninsular War in 1809; it was rebuilt and most recently restored in 1992.
On the far side stands the Igrexa de Santiago do Burgo, a 12th-century Romanesque church with three semicircular apses and an iron door decorated with a scallop shell. Inside you'll find 18th-century images of Santiago as Pilgrim, Santiago as Knight, and the Virgen del Peregrino.
A few pensions nearby. The walk along the ría before and after the bridge is the most scenic stretch of the day.
Before A Coruña rose to prominence, O Burgo was the primary reception port for maritime pilgrims from Northern Europe. During the reign of Alfonso VII (1111-1157), English and Flemish ships docked here regularly. The Knights Templar maintained a castle-fortress and provided security for pilgrims and merchants. The convergence of pilgrim, military, and monastic interests at this tiny river crossing made it a critical node on the medieval Camino Inglés.
After crossing the bridge, a steep climb on pavement takes you up through Culleredo and into the municipality of Cambre. The path crosses the medieval Ponte da Xira over the Río Valiñas, then continues climbing through Sigrás, Ancéis, and on into Carral municipality. The terrain transitions from suburban to rural. Fountains are few — the next reliable water is at the fountain in Ancéis.
