It is autumn and I decide to set up to a small landscape and historical treasure that they have recommended to visit. Madrugón and Road. A 25 kilometers of the mining company Ponferrada, The village of Peñalba de Santiago is a beautiful compendium of popular architecture of the region of the Bierzo that, also, It has a Mozarabic church and an old desert or hermitage, The Valley of Silence, Two kilometers from the town.
When I enter the villa I attest to its intoxicating atmosphere. The first thing that comes into view is his past. Peñalba is an ancient town where the Santiago de Peñalba Church, a jewel of the Mozarabic architecture of the 10th century founded by San Genadio, One of the oldest churches that exist in Spain and shouting attention for its curious architecture. I will have time to study it more thoroughly.
It is an neat village, A land just without populating, But of residents and octogenarians, History
It is an neat village, A land just without populating (does not exceed half a hundred inhabitants), But of residents and octogenarians, of history and even eremites eager to live alone in contact with nature. Located between a paradise of Nogales and Castaños, Peñalba de Santiago presumes to house among its alleys a coqueto set of stone and blackboard houses, with flown balconies. Beautiful urban physiognomy that has earned it a historical-artistic set with ethnological set category. The effort made to get here has been worth it.
Located in the region of Valdueza, Peñalba de Santiago is located 1.100 meters, next to Morredero and Pico head of the mare. Crowded on a hillside, surrounded by an impressive mountain place that disturbs the mood. It is not bad high. I stay calm.
A monacal stillness seizes the whole environment. As a traveler who pleases to establish dialogue with the inhabitants of the town on each excursion I undertake, I miss the bustle villager that provides a market day. Women buying fruits and vegetables. Yes I get a group of retirees that lazy under the shadow that the few rays of the sun produce among the trees. They tell me that leagues give the impression of looking out. Give in the nail. I smile, I share some brief impressions about this wonderful town and I ask them what path I must follow to arrive at the San Genadio Cave, considered national monument. It is nothing more than a perfect excuse to travel kilometers of an overflowing natural beauty and understand the character of Castilla y León a little better.
I miss the bustle Aldeano of a day of market, Women buying fruits and vegetables
Before I have taken care of discovering the great church. This is a small temple built with slate and masonry slabs. Single -ship, It is divided into two bodies and has two side chapels. Both the bodies of the ship and the chapels are separated with horseshoe arches, on columns and capitals decorated with acanthus leaves. His Mozarabic style betrays him. Here the body of San Genadio is buried, as well as urban, one of his successors. A Wonder of Stone, ultimately.
After walking half an hour for which in his time the monks path was called (And I manage to understand why), I get to the primitive and simple cave. I hear bird songs. The place keeps a curious legend: Here the Oza River After ordering San Genadio to silence its waters. The riverbank seemed to harass and, prey to fear, hid his brave current under the cave. The monk sought silence to meditate. Reality or conjecture, The truth is that the traveler can see how the river appears and disappears throughout the Valley of Silence, As if emulating the Guadiana.
In the primitive cave they say that the Oza River after ordering San Genadio to silence its waters
After completing my route I reflect in solitude. The one that has led me here. Clearly, I will return to Peñalba from Santiago again, that village that seems stranded in time. He has captivated me. Overcrowded, To be more exact. The neighbors recommend me to do it in spring, specifically the 25 May, When a pilgrimage is celebrated that leaves the church and ends with Mass in the cave-remittance of San Genadio, where there is no lack of a stone altar with the image of the saint. I must atone for my sins before.
If you want to visit other places with history: www.lugaresconhistoria.com
