Valdelafuente

Stage 21 · Mansilla de las Mulas – LeónLeon Province
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What is there in Valdelafuente

Valdelafuente is a village in the municipality of Valdefresno, in Leon Province, on the Camino Frances.

In the mid-19th century it was a hamlet of twelve houses with its church of Saint John the Baptist; today it has more than two hundred and seventy residents and its growth is explained by the closeness of León, which shows in the warehouses and roundabouts the Camino passes. The most interesting thing for pilgrims is on the way out, at the Alto del Portillo, the last rise before descending to the city, less than five kilometres away: an old stone cross stood there, later moved to the Plaza de San Marcos in León, where it can be seen today beside a pilgrim figure. From the top, the view over the Bernesga plain and the towers of the cathedral announces your arrival.

Accommodation in Valdelafuente

There is no accommodation registered here yet. The nearest is in León, 6.7 km away.

See accommodation in León

Distances from Valdelafuente

From Valdelafuente to León it is about 6.7 km.

To Trobajo del Camino it is about 10.2 km.

And to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Santiago de Compostela, about 317.5 km remain.

Valdelafuente on the Camino

On the Camino Frances, after Valdelafuente you climb to the Alto del Portillo, from where the city of León and its cathedral finally come into view. A stone wayside cross once stood there; it was moved to the Plaza de San Marcos in León, where it is now accompanied by the sculpture of a tired pilgrim.

What to see in Valdelafuente?

Church
Iglesia San Juan Bautista Valdelafuente Camino de Santiago Frances 2 768x403

Church of Saint John the Baptist Valdelafuente

Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Mamas, Valdelafuente The Church of Saint John the Baptist and Saint

The village

Valdelafuente lies at 865 metres above sea level, in the La Sobarriba district, between Arcahueja and the city of León itself, which it borders to the northwest.

History and heritage

It is mentioned in 1119 in the cartulary of the monastery of Eslonza and, like its neighbours, it belonged to the Hermandad de La Sobarriba.

Its church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and San Mamés, whose festivities are held in June and August.

Population

Unlike most villages on the Camino, Valdelafuente has gained residents in recent decades thanks to the new housing next to León.

In short

Valdelafuente is the antechamber of León: a village to pass through that bids farewell to the Meseta and gives the pilgrim, from the Portillo, the first view of the city.

CountrySpain
Autonomous communityCastilla y León
ProvinceLeon Province
ComarcaLa Sobarriba
Judicial districtLeón
MunicipalityValdefresno
Location42°34′14″N 5°30′46″O
Elevation865 m
Population274 inh. (INE 2017)
Postal code24227
Dialling code987
Patron saintSaint John the Baptist (24 June) and Saint Mammes (17 August)
Camino de Santiago Frances
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