Hospital de Órbigo
A quaint village with a mere population of 980, it derives its name from the 16th century when the Knights Hospitaller (a Catholic military order) setup a pilgrim hospital that was named Hospital de Órbigo.
The village is famous for its long stone bridge, a construction of 20 arches and the longest bridge in Spain. It is thought to have been originally built by the Romans to transport the mined gold to Rome, however, in 19th century the townspeople destroyed the bridge to slow down Napoleon's forces in Spain. In recent times the bridge has been fully restored.
In 1434, lovestruck Leonese knight Suero de Quiñones obtained permission from King Juan II to hold a jousting tournament to win the hand of his lady. Alongside ten of his companions, Suero challenged any knight, who wished to cross the bridge, to a joust. Being the height of summer, the bridge was busy with thousands crossing it.
Although his target was to break 300 lances, after a month of jousting and 166 battles, Suero and his men were so injured they couldn't continue with their mission and declared it complete. To his misfortune he was killed 24 years later by one of the knights he defeated on the bridge.
As it did historically the bridge continues to serve the pilgrims and travellers of the Camino.
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