San Justo de la Vega

San Justo de la Vega sits in the province of Leon on the eastern approach to Astorga, in the flat valley of the river Tuerto. The Camino crosses the river on a stone bridge into the village and then climbs the low hill west of town toward Astorga itself.

The village is dedicated to Saint Justus, a 4th-century Roman child martyr from Alcala de Henares. The local feature pilgrims most often remember is the Cruceiro de Santo Toribio, a stone cross standing on the hill above the village. The cross marks the spot where Bishop Toribio of Astorga, according to local tradition, was unjustly exiled from his see in the 5th century. Before leaving, he stood here and shook the dust of Astorga from his sandals, vowing never to set foot in the city again - a gesture taken from the gospel of Matthew. The view from the cross down over Astorga, with the cathedral and Gaudi's Palacio Episcopal rising above the medieval walls, is among the most striking entrances on the Camino Frances.

San Justo has reasonable services. There are albergues including the Albergue San Justo, bar-restaurants, a supermarket, and a pharmacy. There is no ATM. Most pilgrims push on into Astorga, ten or fifteen minutes' walk further.