Pilgrim Guides to Spain #2: The Camino Mozárabe or Via de la Plata, A: Seville to Santiago, 2011, 9th ed.

Note: facilities are only referred to if they have changed since the edition was published in March 2011.  Otherwise consult the guide itself.  

 

Received September 2011:

New pilgrim refugio in Monesterio (Badajoz)

A new pilgrim refugio has now opened in Monesterio on the Vía de la Plata, in the province of Badajoz, just over the border from the province of Sevilla.

It is located in the Casa Rectoral (i.e. the priest's house) on the main street in the centre of the town and the camino passes directly in front of it.  It has accomkmodation for 12 pilgrims in 3 rooms, a kitchen, showers etc., terrace and is close to shops, pharmacy, tourist office and so on.  

Started on the initiative of the new priest in Monesterio (who has walked the Camino several times) over 50 pilgrims have already stayed there in the first three months.

From March 2011: a Pilgrim Blessing is offered daily after the 8.30 am Mass in Seville Cathedral for pilgrims setting out. 

From John Curtin, June 2010 - specifically for cyclists

There's no guidebook with all the information a cyclist might need but here are some resources:

Join Santiago Bicicleta Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Santiago_Bicicleta (free) and look at the files there under Via de la Plata, also info on bike hire companies (Tour n Ride is a company that recieves favourable comments).

Also it is well worth reading an illustrated account of the ride at www.interam.com/viaplata/indexeng.htm

And of course check out www.mundicamino.com for stages, elevation profiles and a bunch more info (and companies advertising rentals etc) 

 

From Alson Raju, February 2009:

A new guide book has been published by the Seville "Amigos" for the route from Cádiz to Seville, for those who want to start down there. Send a €10 note to Amigos Camino Santiago, c/ San Jacinto 25, Sevilla 41010, España. (Their website is http://www.viaplata.org/ )

Thanks to Peter Robins for the following message, received 20 March 2008:

If you've not already heard, there's a new Asociacion de Albergues de la Via de la Plata, which aims to help pilgrims on the Seville-Astorga route by publicising accommodation, improving the provision, and generally helping to improve/publicise the route. Their website is at http://alberguesperegrinos.com/ though it's not too informative as yet.