Starting point: The Cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we made our way to the starting point of the Camino Primitivo, the Cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo. This cathedral has a special significance for pilgrims and many quote the well-known motto: “He who goes to Santiago and does not visit San Salvador, visits the servant and leaves the master behind.” The cathedral houses the famous Holy Chamber (Cámara Santa), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Primitivo – 001 – Oviedo – Paladin
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Orientation difficulties for beginners

As inexperienced pilgrims, we initially had difficulties finding our way out of Oviedo from the cathedral. This was probably due to the fact that we still lacked a trained eye for the yellow arrows and shells that mark the Way of St. James. After the obligatory starting photo, the route first took us through the old town of Oviedo for about an hour, past places that we had already discovered the day before. Only then did the surroundings slowly begin to change and we reached the greener, more rural surroundings. Overall, the first stage still seemed quite urban and led through several small villages.

Photos from the first stage of the Camino Primitivo

Stage destination: Grado or Paladín?

Many pilgrims cover the first stage to Grado – a distance of a proud 25 kilometers. Grado offers numerous overnight accommodations for pilgrims. However, we opted for a gentler start and chose Paladín as our destination, around 19 kilometers from Oviedo.

Overnight stay in Paladín: Villa Palatina Superior Hostel

In Paladín, we stayed at the private hostel Villa Palatina Superior Hostel, where we were accommodated in a shared room for €20 per person. The accommodation impressed us with its cleanliness, beautiful grounds and overall pleasant atmosphere. Although it is, like most private hostels, a little more expensive than the classic pilgrim accommodation, we felt very well looked after here on our first day and wouldn’t do anything differently.

Alternative: Overnight stay in Escamplero

Alternatively, we could have planned a shorter stage and spent the night in Escamplero, where there is a public hostel. This option would have been ideal for those who find the 19 kilometers to Paladín too long or would like to use the rest of the day in another way.

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