Saturday, 9/30: As we plot our path today we have 3 successive peaks to climb between 600-700 meters up from our elevation of 460 m in the town of Sarria. And then we can once again enjoy “the payoff” downhill to the town of Portomarin.
As we make a stop in the town of Barbadelo, I stop in the beautiful Church of Santiago dating back to the 10th century.
As we ride through farms, fields and forests of oaks and chestnut trees, we are mindful of the next milestone in our journey, the 100 km mark to Santiago and make a stop to document where we are when we reach it. This path truly is my favorite of the entire journey thus far.
The last 3 kilometers to Portomarin require a slight climb and then we see our destination just down the mountain across the River Mino.
The village of Portomarin originated along a Roman bridge over the Mino River (rebuilt in medieval times) and El Camino de Santiago. In 1212 it became its own town. In 1962 the reservoir of Belesar was built and the village was moved to the neighboring Monte do Cristo and the most historic buildings were relocated, such as the The Church of San Nicholas, and the Cruceiro. When the level of the dam decreases, the remains of the ancient buildings, and the original bridge can still be seen.
And a local car club was having a vintage car show in the town plaza.
