Within a couple of hours of driving from Monforte de Lemos we arrived at our overnight stop (Camping Rivera del Cua) in the village of Vega de Espinareda.
Vega de Espinareda is a small village of some 2,000 inhabitants in the Province of Leon in the Region of Castile y Leon. There is very little of interest to see or do either in or around the village but I wasn’t too bothered about that because it had been a long day given the drive from Oia and our stop at Monforte de Lemos. I was happy to go for a brief wander, buy some essential foodstuffs from the local store and then head back to the Van chill over a glass of wine or two.
The only building of any significance is across the river on the other side of the village. It was once a Benedictine Monastery (the Monastario de San Andres) and it looks to have been deserted for some considerable time (as has the school just behind it). Both buildings have been vandalised. There are signs up on the monastery which suggest that the local junta is awaiting funds from the EEC with which to renovate the building and I have since seen a video on Youtube (made 3 years ago) which supports this suggestion but, nothing positive seems to have been done.
I’ve not been able to find out much else about the monastery other than (i) it was once a very prosperous concern and; (ii) this building is a third reconstruction dating from 1780 (the first having been built as long ago as the 9th century) and; (iii) the monastery complex included both a convent and a school (with the school closing in 1995). It is sad to see such an impressive complex falling into such disrepair.
The only other point off interest in the village is the old bridge over the river but I cannot tell you much about that either.
Haro tomorrow!!