Granja de Moreruela

The village of Moreruela, a small Zamoran town, holds great importance in the history of Jacobean pilgrimages. It is the major crossroads of the Silver Way. When arriving at this point, the pilgrim faces a crucial decision that will determine the rest of his journey to Santiago: continue north towards Astorga to join the bustling Camino Francés, or divert west to take the Camino Sanabrés, a more direct, solitary, and mountainous route through Zamora and Ourense. This bifurcation has been a landmark for walkers for centuries. The main attraction of the place are the impressive ruins of the Monastery of Santa María de Moreruela, one of Spain's first Cistercian monasteries, which offered refuge and assistance to pilgrims. Although it is now a small village with basic services, its atmosphere is steeped in history. For the pilgrim, Granja de Moreruela is more than just a simple stop; it is a place of deliberation and a symbol of the many paths that lead to Santiago.