The ruins of the monastery of San Antón

As a historical monument on the Camino de Santiago, the monastery of San Antón serves as a fascinating slice of the past. Founded in 1146 by Alfonso VII, the ancient structure dates back to the 14th century and is located two kilometers east of Castrojeriz, at the northern limit of the locality of Villaquirán de la Puebla.

The ruins are located in the abandoned village of San Antón, which was part of the municipality of Castrojeriz in Burgos. The monastery was ruled by the Antonians, who dedicated themselves to caring for the sick who arrived on the Camino de Santiago, particularly those suffering from the illness known as the fire of Saint Anthony.

The hospital was of great importance as the seat of the General Encomienda in various kingdoms of Castile and Portugal, with more than twenty dependent houses-monasteries-hospitals. The monks performed ceremonies to bless various objects, such as the Tau cross, the bread of Saint Anthony, holy wine, and bells. Today, only the arch that formed a tunnel through which pilgrims entered and exited remains standing.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons