Complete Guide to Lebanese Castellano Way

The Lebonese Castilian Way is the route of faith that ascends from the Meseta plain in search of the rugged summits of the Picos de Europa. It represents the historical connection between the heart of Castile and León with the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, allowing pilgrims from southern and central peninsular lands to access the sacred Holy Wood of the Cross. If the Cantabrian route was the entrance point from the sea and the Northern Way, the Castilian one was from the interior.

Its origins are in the medieval network of roads that underpinned Castile. Pilgrims from Palencia, Valladolid or further south who wanted to pilgrimage to Liébana did not need to make the long journey to the Cántabrian coast to start their ascent. Instead, they followed established routes that led directly north towards the imposing barrier of the Cantabrian Mountains. Although there are various variants, the most recognized and recovered in modern times traditionally starts from the city of Palencia, an important ecclesiastical and civil center in medieval times.

From Palencia, the route goes north, following its initial stages through the fertile valley of the River Carrión. It passes through the Tierra de Campos comarca, a landscape of cereal fields that contrasts radically with the mountainous environment that awaits the pilgrim. A point of interest in these early stages is its crossing with the Camino Francés near Carrión de los Condes. Here, the two great flows of pilgrimage touched but followed perpendicular directions: one towards the west to Santiago; the other towards the north to Santo Toribio.

As the route progresses, it enters the Palentina Mountains, one of Europe's areas with the highest concentration of Romanesque art. Localities such as Saldaña and Guardo mark the transition to a more abrupt and mountainous landscape. The medieval pilgrim found not only spiritual comfort in the Romanesque churches and hermitages of the area but also an artistic reflection of their own faith. This section of the route is an authentic outdoor museum.

The most demanding part of the journey was undoubtedly the crossing of the Cantabrian Mountains to enter the Liébana comarca. The pass was made through mountain passes such as Piedrasluengas, a challenge that tested the endurance and determination of walkers. Once the dividing line had been crossed, the route descended precipitously into the valley of Liébana, offering the pilgrim breathtaking views of the Picos de Europa as a reward for their effort. The final stretch ends in Potes, the capital of Lebonia, where it joins other pilgrims to complete the final stage to the Monastery of Santo Toribio.

Although historically it was a more regional and less traveled route than the great Jacobean paths, its importance as a corridor of faith between the Meseta and Liébana is undeniable. Its modern recovery offers today an alternative that is more solitary and demanding, ideal for those seeking a deep pilgrimage experience, enjoying the incredible transition from the infinite plain of Castile to the majesty of the Picos de Europa.