Colegiata de Santa María de Cluni

Echo of Devotion and Pilgrims Refuge in Villafranca del Bierzo

Villafranca de Bierzo hides an authentic architectural gem. In the center of the town we can find the Collegiate Church of Santa María de Cluni, resonating with echoes of ancient pilgrimages and devotions. Founded by the monks of Cluni in the 12th century, this Romanesque church was erected with the sacred mission of welcoming and assisting pilgrims who, tired and often sick, followed the route of the Camino de Santiago. 

Solemn and robust, so This is how the church stands, showing its dimensions, which in its time were considerably large. Walking towards it, one can see a beautiful Romanesque doorway, adorned with meticulous sculptures and reliefs of religious themes that speak of the fervor and devotion of those who built it. The capitals, richly decorated with figures and plant motifs, are testimony to the Romanesque art that predominates in its structure, although not free of Gothic and Baroque elements, the result of various modifications and restorations over the centuries.

But beyond With its imposing architecture, the Collegiate Church of Santa María de Cluni contains a deep spirituality in its ancient stones. It is known for its Gate of Forgiveness, where those pilgrims who, afflicted by illness or weakness, could not continue on their way, thus obtaining the forgiveness of their sins, the same as if they had arrived at the Cathedral of Santiago. 

This place, which for centuries has been a refuge for pilgrims and offered solace to weary souls, remains today a point of religious and tourist interest. It is a place where the past and the present intertwine, where each stone, each relief, seems to tell stories of faith and devotion of long journeys and of hope in spiritual redemption.

Walking through the main nave and the sides of the Collegiate Church allows you to feel the essence of past centuries, of the dedication and love with which it was built. It is, without a doubt, a place where history, architecture and spirituality converge, offering visitors a unique and enriching experience in the beautiful and mythical context of Villafranca del Bierzo.