This is the second of my blogs about Rocamadour. The commune is a staging-post on part of the famous pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in NW Spain. It is claimed Saint James the apostle is buried in the cathedral there. Pilgrimages started in the early 13thC and continue. They are mostly from within France, but do include pilgrims from further east in Europe. The 'compostela' part of the Spanish city's name derived from the 'certificate' given to pilgrims on completion of the pilgrimage. (Cf. the French word for the date/time stamping process you use to validate your tickets on the French railway system – 'composter'.)
When I was in Santiago d. C. several years ago, I had the impression that many pilgrims walk only the last stages of the route. I read last week that, from next month, Spain's national railway company (RENFE) is putting its luxury Al Andalus train to work on the route. It will run from León to Santiago (and onward).
When I was in Santiago d. C. several years ago, I had the impression that many pilgrims walk only the last stages of the route. I read last week that, from next month, Spain's national railway company (RENFE) is putting its luxury Al Andalus train to work on the route. It will run from León to Santiago (and onward).
This blog is two sections. Firstly are images of the Stations of the Cross on the steep, cliff-side path from the 'Sanctuary Level', where the church is, to the Château. Station I is at the bottom; Station XII is at the top. Secondly are images of the town taken from this path or in the town itself.
I apologise in advance for the varying quality of these first images. It was a sunny day and each Station had a different angle to the light.
I apologise in advance for the varying quality of these first images. It was a sunny day and each Station had a different angle to the light.
In these images it is still possible to read the inscriptions through the protective grilles.
I photographed them in reverse order. After a leisurely lunch at the top (Château Level), I worked my down the precarious and very steep path towards the town. I used the lift systems to travel back to the top, where I enjoyed a refreshing drink.
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| The Château from afar |
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| Looking back up the ravine |
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| Looking down from the 'Sanctuary Level' |
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| A roof viewed from the same Level |
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| Down to the main street |
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| The street below |
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| A corner of the 'Sanctuary Level' |
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| A street at an intermediate level |
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| Looking back up |
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| The Sanctuary Level |
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| Looking back from street-level |
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| The street |
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| The Château from below |
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| The street |
