Vilar de Donas Church

Vilar de Donas Church is about 2.5km off the path of the Camino Frances a bit before Plas de Rei and it is where the Order of Santiago buried important members and leaders.

Originally the Church was a part of a monastery (for nuns hence the 'Donas' in the name) founded at the beginning of the 12th century by the family Arias de Monterroso before passing into the hands of the Order of Santiago.

The outside of the Church where Pilgrims may have slept

The entrance

Inside there are many beautiful frescos with those in the apse dating from the 15th century which were commissioned in 1434 by Juan II the King of Castilla and FAther of Isabella. These depict the parable of the ten virgins as well as the Annunciation and Pantocrator. There are also shields with devices of Castilla y Leon and the Order of Santiago.

Despite being declared a national monument in 1931 some parts of the Church are not in a good state of repair - you can see the mould growing here, the below pictures and several others as well

A tomb - I think that this is the one that dates from 1378 and is mounted on two lions who are squashing a boar (representing wrath) and a wolf (to represent evil)

Opening times

To get to the Church turn right after passing the bar of Portos along a gravel road. After 500m there is a fork so keep left and continue over the N-547 (there are signs like the one at the top of the post, it is a fairly gentle walk).

Admission is by donation.

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