7th stage: from Logroño to Nájera
In Logroño pilgrims have the opportunity to visit a city whose old quarter still has the atmosphere of a Medieval borough. The Rúa Vieja, the oldest street of the city, and the Mayor Street are the paths used by pilgrims in order to pass through Logroño. On their way, they can visit the Church of Santiago el Real, which contains a 17th-century image representing the Apostle's apparition in Clavijo. Santa María del Palacio's Church, that houses an altarpiece from the 16th century; San Bartolomé's Church, built in Gothic style; and the Cathedral of Santa María la Redonda, a beautiful Gothic Temple, crowned by two Baroque bell towers.
Travellers leave the city through the door of the Camino and continue their journey, to Navarrete. On the outskirtsof Navarrete they will discover the remains of the San Juan de Acre's Hospital, built in the Middle Ages by María Ramírez. The Route crosses the town alongside the Medieval Mayor Street, which is still as it originally was. The Asunción's Church, on Mayor Street, dates back to the 16th century. The Route then passes a cemetery that still has the old door of the Hospital mentioned above and Pilgrimage Capitals.
The journey moves forward to the famous Nájera, birthplace of Kings and court of the Pamplona-Nájera Kingdom during the reign of King Don García. This royal town became a stop of the Santiago Pilgrimag in 1030, when Sancho el Grande decided to deviate the pilgrim's route. Some years later, his son, García IV built the Monastery of Santa María la Real and a refuge. Therefore he determined the character of the city as a pilgrimage place. The Monastery, a magnificent Gothic Temple built on the ruins of a 15th century temple, includes a Cloister and the Tombs of Doña Blanca and of Diego López de Haro, the Mausoleum of the Reyes and el Coro, masterpieces in its own time.
8th stage : from Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada
On the eighth day of their journey pilgrims say goodbye to Nájera, but before, they can travel to Azofra, not included on the Santiago Route, and visit the San Millán de la Cogolla sanctuaries, which were of great importance in Medieval Christian Spain. In San Millán you can find the Cañas Monastery, as well as two of the most relevant and well-known sanctuaries in Spain: the Suso Monastery (6th to 11th centuries) probably the most ancient in the Iberian Peninsula, and the Yuso Monastery (11th century).
Both are the birthplaces of the Castilian Language, here were written the first words of one of the most important languages in the world. Retaken the Santiago Route, travellers will arrive in Azofra, village that once had a hospital and a church used as a tomb for pilgrims. Later, they will enter the municipalities of Cirueña and Hervias.
Finally the Route reaches Santo Domingo de la Calzada, one of the most important stages of the journey. The Route passes along the city center. This beautiful city was named after a monk, later a saint, who dedicated most of his life to improve the conditions of the path. He built all by himself the Oja bridge and the road between his city and Redecilla. He has been attributed many miracles, the most popular being the one commonly known as the Legend of the Cock and the Hen. It took place some 300 years after the monk's death.For centuries, these fantastic events attracted pilgrims , who arrived in the city anxious to witness a miracle. Santo Domingo de la Calzada became a city in 1134 through a concession made by Alfonso XI.
In Santo Domingo travellers should visit the Cathedral, a magnificent building whose construction began in the middle of the 12th century and was complete in the Gothic period. It contains many works of art, such as the Saint's Mausoleum, a Renaissance central Altarpiece and a 18th-century Bell Tower. You can also find a hostelry founded by Santo Domingo, rebuilt in the 14th century , that today houses a state hotel.
9th stage: from Santo Domingo to Belorado
The nineth stage of the Route leaves La Rioja Province and enters Burgos Province. Leaving Santo Domingo de la Calzada behind, it continues to Grañón. On its ouskirts pilgrims will see the Cruz de los Valientes (the Brave's Cross) in memory to the scene of the Juicio de Dios (God's Judge), which was held between the representatives of Grañón and Santo Domingo over the ownership of a pasture.
The dispute was solved favorably for Martín García, from Grañón, who is still remembered as a local hero. Walkers will find a typical example of a pilgrimage city , with a long main street. They can also view San Juan Bautista's Parish Church, which is home to a marvelous Renaissance central Altarpiece.
Later on the path leaves La Rioja Province and enters Burgos Province through Redecilla del Camino, a municipality that extends along both sides of the Route. During the Middle Ages there were 3 assistance centers for travellers. Pilgrims will be able to pray in the Virgen de la Calle's Church, built in the 14th century and rebuilt between the 17th and 18th centuries. It contains a magnificent Romanesque font from the 12th century. Another ancient monument is San Lázaro's Hospital for pilgrims.
After passing through Redecilla, the Route heads for Castidelgado, where a long time ago, stood a monastery and a hospital, both dedicated to Santiago Apostle. Today, visitors can view the Count of Berberana's Stately Home, as well as San Pedro's Church (16th century) and Santa María's Chapel, with a front from the 18th century.
The next village on the Route is Viloria, where Santo Domingo de la Calzada was born in 1019. The font in which he was baptized can still be seen in the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Then the Route passes through Villamayor del Río and finally reaches Belorado, the final stop of the nineth day of the journey.
Source: www.caminosantiago.com / es.wikipedia.com
