The Church of St. James in Villafranca del Bierzo, built in 1186 under the patronage of Bishop Fernando of Astorga, is one of the most important Romanesque churches along the Camino de Santiago. Its simple single-nave design conceals an extraordinary spiritual significance: since the Middle Ages, pilgrims who became too ill to continue to Santiago de Compostela could receive the Holy Year Jubilee here. This privilege, granted by Popes Urban II and Callixtus III, is linked to the famous Door of Forgiveness, the only Holy Door on the Camino outside Santiago Cathedral where pilgrims may obtain the Jubilee during a Holy Year.
The church is also renowned for its outstanding Romanesque sculpture, especially the richly decorated northern portal with scenes from the Nativity, the Crucifixion, the Epiphany, fantastic creatures and an apostolic frieze crowned by Christ in Majesty. Inside, visitors can admire a 13th-century Byzantine-style crucifix, the 16th-century Virgin of Sorrows, and an elegant Baroque chapel added in the eighteenth century. Since 2015, the church has been included among the associated elements of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
- Address
C. Santiago, 18, Villafranca del Bierzo, León - Web
None - Visiting Hours
From Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00pm to 1:00pm and from 6:00pm to 7:00pm - What to see
Door of Forgiveness, Romanesque north portal, 13th-century Byzantine crucifix and the Virgin of Sorrows
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