Continued: Tour of the Abby of San Julian of Samos

The Abby was started in 755 but ruined in the Muslim invasion. It was restored in 922 and became the center for the cloistered Benedictine monks and nuns. It is one of the largest Abby or monestaries in the western world. 

This is from the Camino looking down on the Abby. 

Guess how many people live in this Abby now?

13 monks and 3 nuns!  I think they each get their own floor. 

Here is the tour guide/monk guide. He was a happy, friendly guy. I named him Friar Tuck.  He's pointing to the classic Gothic style of the ceiling. (We think he said Gothic but it was all in Spanish so who the hell knows). 

He also precided over the pilgrim mass that we attended tonight. It's always impressive to attend the pilgrim service with people from all around the world. Usually the priests speaks in several languages to give the dismissal blessing to the pilgrims. It's quite touching. But tonight he only spoke Spanish. (These monks probably don't get out much.)

This is the courtyard. We've decided that Spaniards do not like to mow the grass. You always see finely trimmed hedges but the grass is up to your knees and weedy. It's probably why we never see Spanish landscape companies in the USA...they have all been replaced by Mexicans. 

Tomorrow we leave Samos and head to Sarria--9 miles down the Way. We've walked 52 miles in 6 days. We have 80 miles until we reach Santiago. 

Thanks again for following our journey!