Santa Catalina de Somoza

Santa Catalina de Somoza sits in the province of Leon, in the Maragateria region, between Murias de Rechivaldo and El Ganso. The Camino passes through the centre of the village. The name combines a dedication to Saint Catherine with Somoza, from the medieval term for a wooded area below a mountain.

The village is typical Maragato: stone houses with thick walls, narrow streets, and the rhythm of a farming and muleteer community that has lived here for centuries. The parish church of Santa Maria holds a relic of San Blas, Saint Blaise of Sebaste, brought from Rome in the 18th century by a local cleric. Saint Blaise is venerated across Spain for healing throat conditions, and his February feast day still brings out the village in traditional Maragato dress for processions and music.

Services are modest. There are albergues including the municipal albergue and the Albergue El Caminante, a bar-restaurant, and a small shop. There is no pharmacy or ATM.