Lavacolla: Camino Connections, Walking Routes and Tannery History
Accommodation in Lavacolla
If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Lavacolla, specific route and cultural connections can help structure your plans. Information about the area ranges from a designated circular route and a described stage landscape to religious buildings and the history of tanning. First decide whether you would like to shape your trip around a walking route, the pilgrimage connection or historic craftsmanship. These themes offer different points of interest.
Walking and stages
The circular route RUTA 13 A Sionlla–Agualada–O Carballal–Lavacolla is 16.99 kilometres long and rated moderate. This lets you consider the distance and difficulty rating together: the length describes the scope of the route, while the rating indicates its stated level of difficulty. Route details may be updated; check the information again before planning.
On Stage 1 of the Xiro de Compostela, forests and meadows alternate along the way to Lavacolla. The RĂo Sionlla, also called the Arroyo de Lavacolla, is crossed via a bridge. When choosing a route, two kinds of information are therefore available: the circular route is described by its length and rating, while Stage 1 is described by its landscape and water crossing.
Stage 2 from Lavacolla to A Igrexa (Cesar) begins at the steps of the Iglesia de San Paio de Sabugueira. The church lies on the Camino Francés and is one of the last churches pilgrims reach before the cathedral of Santiago. Both the destination and starting point of this stage are therefore clearly identified; the church connects the start of the stage with its location on the Camino Francés.
Culture and pilgrimage history
The Cruz do Home Santo is a 14th-century wayside cross on the outskirts of Lavacolla. It was moved from the area around the monastery of San MartĂn Pinario. Lavacolla also has a wayside cross depicting Christ seated. For a cultural and historical focus, the two details can be considered separately: the Cruz do Home Santo is notable for its date and relocation, while the other wayside cross is notable for its depiction of Christ seated.
A tradition associated with the Codex Calixtinus suggests that pilgrims washed in Lavacolla before continuing to the shrine of the Apostle.
Traces of the tanning industry
The history of tanning can be understood through a sequence of events: leather merchant Gregorio AmbrĂłs established a small tannery in Lavacolla in 1801. In 1811, the factory was sold to merchant Francisco RodrĂguez Abella from Los Ancares. After he expanded it, it became one of the largest tanneries in the comarca.
The Curtidoiro de Lavacolla, on the banks of the RĂo Sionlla, retains the original volume of its buildings. Here, volume refers to the buildings’ massing; this detail draws attention to the tannery building’s architectural form.
Discover more destinations: Pontedeume, Mouromorto, Fosado, Coristanco, Bas, CorcubiĂłn, Queo De Abaixo, Abegondo.
For the main travel overview: Coruña.
