The best running trails around Osorno La Mayor

Santa Maria la Blanca is a temple-fortress of Templar origin dating back to the 12th century.

The Puente del Rey is one of the most outstanding structures of the Canal de Castilla, one of the most important hydraulic engineering works in Spain. The Canal de Castilla was built between the 18th and 19th centuries with the aim of facilitating the transport of goods, especially cereals, from the interior of Castile to the ports of northern Spain.

It is motivating to encounter walking pilgrims.

The Iglesia de Santa María la Blanca in Villalcázar de Sirga is an important stop on the Camino de Santiago. The church was built at the end of the 12th century, during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic style, and was completed in the 14th century. It is a temple-fortress with a beautiful portal from the 13th century, decorated with an impressive sculptural ensemble. Inside you will find a collection of polychrome tombs from the 13th and 14th centuries, a Gothic altarpiece from the 15th and 16th centuries, and a beautiful image of the Virgen del Rosario. The church is linked to the Order of the Temple and has played an important role as a religious site on the Camino de Santiago.

The church was built in a transitional style from Romanesque to Gothic. The southern double portal with sculptures of Christ Pantocrator, Tetramorphs and Apostles is particularly noteworthy. The Chapel of St. James, dating from the early 14th century, is also very interesting, as it contains the sarcophagi of Infante Felipe and his wife Leonor Ruíz de Castro. This church also contains the White Virgin 'Virgen Blanca', who was sung about by Alfonso X the Wise in his 'Cantigas' (religious songs). She represented one of the most important religious sites on the Way of St. James.

Here on the way you can decide whether you would rather follow the pilgrims on foot or take the road. Both paths are easy to navigate.

I stopped in Villalcazar de Sirga while doing the Camino de Santiago in 2022. Here there is an albergue run by volunteers of the Order of Malta. The church is impressive in its majesty compared to the small pueblo that hosts it and this aspect immediately catches your eye as you walk towards the town. Inside, worthy of note in addition to the more obvious features, are the mysterious signs carved on the stones of some columns: they represent goose feet, 6-pointed stars and triangles. These are the signs that recall the presence of the Templars in this temple which was their commendation.

Santa María la Blanca is a church from the period of transition from Romanesque to Gothic, whose construction began in the 12th century and lasted until the end of the 13th century. Its grandeur impresses when you get closer to the building. Inside, the busts of one of the Templar symbols are embedded in the walls of the side chapels. The main altarpiece, the tombs of Infante Felipe, brother of Alfonso X and his wives, and the image of the Apostle Santiago are just some of the works that can be seen inside. An impressive church.