3: Salas - Tineo
We leave Salas and start the third stage of the Way. There are 18,2 km from Salas passing along La Espina (it was always a relevant crossroads) up to Tineo that, according to a royal privilege in 1222, it was declared as a compulsory passage for pilgrims to Compostela in this first Way.
LA ESPINA
Leaving Salas, one must go up Bodenaya Mountain (650 m) through the ‘Camín de misa’.
La Espina, where Salas, Tineo and Valdés converge, was always an outstanding crossroads. There was here a remarkable hospital for pilgrims and travellers. It is thought to have existed since 1268 and depended on Santiago’s archbishop, proving a link with Compostela and route of this primitive Way. Afterwards, Fernando Valdés-Salas created a new hospital. There was also here the ‘Malatería de Bazar’ for attending ill pilgrims.
Two ways leave from La Espina, the one that goes to Compostela through Tineo and Pola de Allande and the one that goes on the seaside towards Vegadeo, going down the Canero River valley.
The area of Tineo starts in La Pereda, where there were a pilgrim’s hospital years ago.
From El Pedregal, we go down all the time. In the environs of Tineo, we must stop at the Campo de San Roque for watching the hermitage of this traveller saint of the 13th century.
TINEO
Entering Tineo, you find in Cimadevila a memorial to the pilgrim raised in 2004 (Holy Year).
During his stay at Obona Monastery in 1222, King Alfonso IX, pilgrim to Compostela, conferred the privilege that the Monastery and the village of Tineo were compulsory passages for pilgrims towards the Apostle’s sepulchre.
At that moment, Tineo had already existed for about three centuries with a count’s jurisdiction.
St Pedro Church is the church of the old San Francisco do Monte Convent, where the Franciscan monks attended pilgrims since the 13th century. There is an outstanding Sacred Art Museum inside.
The Pazo dos Merás (16th century) and the Pazo dos García de Tineo (the present cultural centre) with its tower from the 13th century are also remarkable.
Rests of Mater Christi Hospital are still preserved in Tineo. It was raised in the 13th century for attending pilgrims and was the biggest of the Way in Asturias. This hospital spoilt in the alienation as well as the old castle of the village.