Today, Bro. William travels from Los Arcos towards Logrono, a distance of over 27 kms or 17 miles. He makes his way through villages, such as Sansol, N.S. del Poyo, Viana, Capilla N.S. de Las Cuevas, Cruce - and finally Logrono.

The highest point of the journey is at Alto N.S. del Poyo at 570m afterwhich the path descends steeply until the level path takes us to Viana. We also journey across six rivers.

A wonderful 80% of this stage is on natural paths and dirt tracks through the open arable farmland. Shade is limited to a few isolated pockets of pine and drinking fonts are few.

Sansol has some lovely Baroque architecture, including grand houses decorated with coats of arms, and the simple Iglesia de San Zoilo, from which there are marvellous views to Torres del Rio.

Torres del Rio lies tucked into Linares valley. This is a tranquil village perhaps best known for its exquisite 12th century Iglesia de Santo Sepulcro linked with the Knights Templar and the octagonal church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The lofty cupola, with its cross ribbed vault forming an 8 sided star, is intersting to all pilgrims.



The simple interior has a 13th century crucifix and fine acoustics if we feel inclined to offer a song of prayer! It is usually opened at around 18.30 each evening.

We continue up through the village past the cemetery and out on a dirt track that runs across the open countryside avoiding the N-111 that snakes its way around hairpin bends to our right.

Ermita de Nuestra Senora del Povo - Precariously situated on the road at its high point, from here we have a good view west over the flat plains with Viana and Logrono in the distance.

We now cross the N-111 over a secondary road that leads to the village of Bargota. From here the path drops steeply down into a ravine alongside the Rio Cornava and past the ruins of an old Roman settlement.

We climb steeply up into the medieval town of Viana passing the 13th century Church of Santa Maria with its magnificent recessed doorway. The notorious Cesare Borgia was killed nearby and buried in the church but was reinterred outside following the vandalisation of his mausoleum within the church.

Viana is a lively town with a resident population of 3,500. The comino passe, through its historical centre which is little changed since medieval pilgrims plodded through its ancient streets. Back in the 15th century there were 4 pilgrim hospitals and it was during this period that Cesare Borgia became linked to the town.



Cruce / la Rioja We follow a new earth coloured asphalt track, a `gift' from the local government and climb gently up the northern flank of the hill and past the site of the prehistoric city of Cantabria.

We are now near the stone bridge over the wide flowing waters of the Ebro into the city of Logrono. The bridge, rebuilt in 1880, replaces the earlier medieval pilgrim bridge erected by St. John Of the Nettles San Juan de Ortega.

Logrono is a lively University City and capital of La Rioja and a pleasant blend of medieval and modern.

There is the l4th century Gothic Catedral 'Santa Maria de la Redonda'. Its impressive twin towers 'Las Geinelas' (the twins) were a later addition and it adjoins the pretty Plaza del Mercado - lined with shops and cafes.


At the east end of c/de Portales, close to the junction with the busy c/Muro de Cervantes, is Plaza Amos Salvador and the Iglesia San Bartolome with its exquisitely carved 13th century porch.

Adjoining the albergue is the 12t century Santa Maria del Palacio - built on the site of an earlier palace with its impressive cloisters and slender tower.

Bro. Williams' thoughts of today - Today I seen some pilgrims struggling and in pain walking on the road. I prayed for them.