Itinerary Salamanca - Santiago de Compostela by bike
Itinerary Camino de Santiago; Salamanca - Santiago de Compostela by bike
The Silver Way (Vía de la Plata) was an ancient Roman road that crossed the western part of Spain from south to north. Troops, merchants, and travelers used this route, which facilitated the spread of Roman culture, language, and way of life. Nowadays, it is one of the many Caminos de Santiago, frequented by thousands of pilgrims.
On this occasion, we will develop the Vía de la Plata itinerary, which runs from Salamanca to Santiago de Compostela by bike. Cyclists or 'bicigrinos' will enjoy the landscapes of Castilla y León and blend in with the scenic beauty of Galicia.
The stages of the itinerary are as follows:
Stage 1 - Salamanca - Zamora - 66 Km
Stage 2 - Zamora - Santa Croya de Tera - 87 Km
Stage 3 - Santa Croya de Tera - Puebla de Sanabria - 67 Km
Stage 4 - Puebla de Sanabria - A Gudiña - 53 Km
Stage 5 - A Gudiña - Xunqueira de Ambía - 66 Km
Stage 6 - Xunqueira de Ambía - Castro Dozón - 64 Km
Stage 7 - Castro Dozón – Santiago de Compostela - 66 Km
Salamanca is a beautiful and monumental city with a long history, home to the oldest European University, and its historic centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We cannot leave this city without visiting the Old Cathedral of Santa María, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, the Plaza Mayor, the Casa de las Conchas, the Church of the Clergy, the Monterrey Palace, the Calatrava College... and many other monuments filled with history.
The next city we encounter on our itinerary, in a plateau with rocky edges that naturally protect it, is Zamora. This city has been excellently restored and is home to an artistic historical ensemble of Romanesque buildings. It boasts 24 Romanesque churches built between the 11th and 13th centuries, making it the most important group in Spain and one of the most significant in Europe. The figure of Viriato is one of its main symbols, and we must highlight the Cathedral, the Castle, the Plaza Mayor, and the Stone Bridge.
Santa Croya de Tera is a municipality in the province of Zamora, ideal for resting and recovering from the sightseeing done in each city before embarking on the next stage of the Camino to Puebla de Sanabria. Located at the top of a hill and once walled, it is organized around the Plaza Mayor, where the most prominent buildings are: the Town Hall, the Church of Our Lady of Azogue, and the Castle of the Counts of Benavente. Its cobbled streets and solid houses with heraldic facades, large balconies, and glazed galleries show the importance of this locality throughout history.
A Gudiña is a town that was divided between the dioceses of Astorga and Ourense until the middle of the last century, which is why it has two parish churches: the Church of San Martín and the Church of San Pedro, built in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Xunqueira de Ambía is a municipality where the streets are somewhat disordered around the Plaza de San Rosendo, where the Town Hall and a monumental building of great proportions, the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Real, are located.
Finally, we will stop in Castro Dozón to rest and prepare for the last stage of the itinerary, heading to Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela is a city full of places to visit, such as the Cathedral and the Obradoiro Square. It is also recommended to take a walk through the Old Town and the Alameda Park, enjoying a unique view of this wonderful Galician city.
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