The Gothic castle of Burgos, which was one of the icons of the Camino de Santiago
To u Three kilometers from the town of Castrojeriz, in the province of Burgos, we find a medieval monument that was emblematic on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela: the Convent of San Antón. Founded in the 15th century, it is currently in ruins and gained its fame thanks to the healing of sick pilgrims from the dreaded "San Antón fire."
A monument with a Gothic structure and a lot of historyThe Gothic ruins of San Antón belong to an old convent built in the 14th century by the French Order of the Antonians, until King Alfonso VII granted them the foundation of a hospital that would end up being transformed into a large church with a wide portico.
The original church has a Latin cross plan with a single nave and two bays ending in a large polygonal apse and a transept with two polygonal chapels. The only elements that have survived to this day are the walls of the central apse, with two floors of pointed windows between powerful exterior buttresses, which show influences from the monastery. of Las Huelgas de Burgos and the French house of the Antonine Order in Isère. Furthermore, beneath the portico that literally envelops the Camino de Santiago, there is a monumental doorway with six archivolts, royal coats of arms, and dozens of worn figurines.
The Convent of San Antón is still in operation today, managed by Ovidio Campo, a pilgrim from Santiago de Compostela. From San Antón, pilgrims have approximately 450 kilometers to reach their desired goal of Santiago de Compostela.
The miracle of 'Saint Anthony's fire'
Saint Anthony's fire, or "holy fire," was a type of leprosy that consumed the limbs of those affected during the Middle Ages in northern Europe. The only known "remedy" for this disease was to go on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Upon their return, the pilgrims found themselves completely healed and expressed their immense gratitude for the miraculous cure.
In reality, 'Saint Anthony's fire' was a gangrenous ergotism caused by the prolonged consumption of rye bread, typical of northern European countries, contaminated with the ergot fungus. Patients improved by switching from the aforementioned food to uncontaminated wheat bread for many months (the duration of the pilgrimage).
To reach this medieval religious monument by road, it's best to travel to Burgos . Once there, connect with the Camino de Santiago highway (A-231). At the Olmillos de Sasamón exit, take the road toward Iglesias. Finally, after passing through Villandiego , turn off toward Castrojeriz , and through Castellanos de Castro and Hontanas, you'll reach the ruins of the convent of San Antón.
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