| What is it? |
The Iron Cross (Cruz de Ferro) is a 7m high pole crowned by a cross, which beckons to Pilgrims as they pass through the foggy mountains! |
| What makes it wonderful? |
No one knows for certain where the Cruz de Ferro originated. Some speculate that the hermit Gaucelmo, who set up the church in Foncebadón, installed the Cruz in the 11th century. Some believe there was once a Roman temple to Mercury on this site. Others believe it was a sacred site for the Celtic people. They may all be right. In any case, what makes it wonderful is that it serves not only as a beacon for Pilgrims crossing the mountains of León, but it also serves as a place to leave one’s troubles. The cross is surrounded by a huge cairn of stones left by hundreds of Pilgrims over the years. On each stone is a written sorrow or trouble that each Pilgrim has brought from home and carried along the Camino to that point. Each Pilgrim is then invited to leave that sorrow at this Iron Cross and continue down a better path! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? |
HERE’S HOW:
- Volunteer with Natura 2000!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
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| Where is this place? |
You’ll find the cross where the Camino intersects LE-142, 2 miles past Foncebadón!
From Barcelona: ~527mi (849km) — 8.8hrs
From Madrid: ~224mi (361km) — 3.8hrs
From Sevilla: ~428mi (689km) — 7.2hrs
From Santiago de Compostela: ~170mi (274km) — 2.9hrs |
| When should I go? |
Whenever the mood strikes you! |
