Our New Refuge: Refugio de Peregrinos de Miraz
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The Refugio de Perigrinos de Miraz is a casa rectoral in the village of Miraz on the Camino del Norte, in the province of Lugo, Galicia. Miraz is almost halfway on a lonely 40 kilometre stretch between Baamonde and Sobrado de los Monjes, a daunting etapa that in recent years has hindered the growth and popularity of this branch of the Camino del Norte. The Refugio de Perigrinos de Miraz fills that gap nicely. Thanks to the generosity of the Bishop of Lugo, the Confraternity has taken over this refugio, which reopened to welcome pilgrims during 2005, and which will be open, for its second full season, from 28th March to 30th October 2007.
Map courtesy Eric Walker
The casa rectoral has a pleasant aspect, set slightly above the roadway; the Camino passes nearby. Downstairs is a big kitchen with an old-fashioned woodstove that invites a gathering. There are also a dining room-cum-library, one large and one smaller dormitory, a washroom for pilgrims, and accommodation for the hospitaleros, all joined along a central corridor. The house is about 11 metres wide by 14 metres deep. At the back is a huerta of some 600 square metres, with fruit trees and a wide gate at the bottom end that gives access to vehicles. It is suitable for camping, caravaning, horses, and other livestock. There is a small garden and one dilapidated brick outbuilding which could be suitable for eventual conversion into additional sleeping accommodation, bathroom, washing and storage facilities.
The refugio from the huerta
Miraz is a pleasant, well-kept village in a pretty and prosperous area; The villagers clearly take an interest in it. They helped create community sports and picnic facilities and are active in the church. A long, straggling village, it is really three communities strung together. The new refugio is at one end together with the church of Santiago which has a statue of a Santiago Matamoros inside. The bar is almost next door to the refugio and a very good relationship has developed with Pilar the owner!
If you are interested in serving as a warden at Miraz (we still have a few vacancies for 2007, and will be glad to sign you up for 2008), please contact the Miraz Wardens' Coordinator. There will be a training workshop for potential wardens in October 2007.
Working Parties go out each spring to prepare the refuge for the coming season, and profesional building work has been commissioned as necessary. Follow the link to the Newsletters, below, for a detailed record of developments at Miraz.
We are appealing for the money needed to complete this project - please click on the Fundraising link below for further details, and to find out how you can help.
Any suggestions, offers or comments please contact the following people:
| Information about the project in general | Colin Jones |
| Fundraising | Alison Thorp |
| Wardens' Coordinator | Alan Cutbush |
| Property | Peter FitzGerald |
| Website | Howard Nelson |
| Publicity (Europe) | Marion Marples |
| Publicity (Rest of the World) | Rebekah Scott |