Ruitelán

Stage 27 · Villafranca del Bierzo – O CebreiroLeon Province
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What is there in Ruitelán

Ruitelán is a small village in the municipality of Vega de Valcarce, in the El Bierzo district, in Leon Province, on the Camino Frances.

With barely a couple of dozen residents, Ruitelán has a story of holiness worth a stop. According to tradition, Saint Froilan lived as a hermit in a cave on the outskirts of the village before becoming bishop of León in the 10th century, and in the 16th century a chapel was built over it, reached by a flight of thirty-nine steps; inside, behind the nave, you can still see the cave beside the altar. The village, on a bend of the Valcarce valley, keeps the atmosphere of a mountain hamlet, with its hostel and some rural accommodation, much appreciated by those who want to spend the night at the foot of the climb. Right after it comes Las Herrerías, where the Camino finally leaves the road and starts to climb.

Accommodation in Ruitelán

There is no accommodation registered here yet. The nearest is in Las Herrerías, 1.5 km away.

See accommodation in Las Herrerías

Distances from Ruitelán

From Ruitelán to Las Herrerías it is about 1.5 km.

To La Faba it is about 4.7 km.

And to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Santiago de Compostela, about 164.1 km remain.

History

Ruitelán is a small hamlet in the municipality of Vega de Valcarce, on the last stretch of the valley before Las Herrerías. Its name seems to be related to the streams (rivus) that come down the slopes.

According to tradition, Saint Froilan, who would later become bishop of León, lived here as a hermit, in a cave above the village, before moving on. Since then the place has welcomed pilgrims heading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Santiago de Compostela.

What to see in Ruitelán?

Church
Iglesia de San Juan Bautista Ruitelan Camino de Santiago Frances 768x403

Church of Saint John the Baptist Ruitelán

Church of Saint John the Baptist in Ruitelán The Church of Saint John the Baptist is located in the Leonese
Chapel
Capilla de San Froilan de Ruitelan Camino de Santiago Frances 768x403

Chapel of Saint Froilan de Ruitelán

Capilla de San Froilán in Ruitelán The Capilla de San Froilán is located on the outskirts of Ruitelán, a small

The chapel of San Froilán

The chapel dedicated to Saint Froilan, simple and built of stone, keeps the saint’s memory. Residents and some pilgrims visit it before the climb to O Cebreiro.

On 5 October the saint’s feast is celebrated with Mass and a procession.

Hostel

Ruitelán is known for its hostel, small and very welcoming, with a shared dinner, which many pilgrims remember fondly.

The surroundings

Here the Camino crosses a landscape of oaks, chestnuts and streams: the Meseta is far behind and the mountains begin.

From Ruitelán you continue to La Faba and O Cebreiro, one of the most beautiful stretches of the Camino Frances.

Rural life

Houses of stone and slate, vegetable plots and small stables: life here follows the rhythm of the countryside.

In short

Ruitelán is a tiny hamlet with the story of a hermit saint and a hostel of the kind that stays in the memory.

Camino de Santiago Frances
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