Hospital de Bruma

Hospital de Bruma owes its name to the pilgrim hospital that stood here for centuries. Documented as early as 1175 and active into the 18th century, it was the only refuge in what was then a lonely wooded area frequented by bandits. The emperor Charles V is said to have spent a night here in 1520.

Today the hamlet, in the municipality of Mesía, is tiny, but it holds a special place on the route. It's where the Ferrol and A Coruña branches of the Camino Inglés come together, and its Xunta albergue, on land beside the site of the old hospital, was the first public albergue built on the Camino Inglés. At the end of the houses stands the late Gothic chapel of San Lourenzo, dating from the 16th century and ringed by its cemetery.

Services are minimal, so arrive stocked up or plan on a meal at the bar close to the albergue. Mesón do Vento, a little under 2 km away, has shops, restaurants and more accommodation if you need them. The following stage to Sigüeiro is one of the gentlest of the route, descending gradually across the Ordes plateau.