Departing
from Astorga through the Pilgrimīs Way to Santiago de Compostela.
Without going into Ponferrada, the road crosses the bridge over
the river Boeza and leaves the capital of the Bierzo on the way
to Ozaīs lands. Passing through San Esteban, Valdefrancos and San
Clemente, it starts a sharp climbing towards the mountains. The
Monastery of San Pedro whose ruins are in the middle of an evocative
landscape, has its origins in the VII th.C. In spite of its conditions,
altogether it gives a striking apperance.
The narrow road goes on, parallel with the river Oza towards Peņalba
de Santiago. In an impressive place, in the shadow of a white stone
that gives the name to the village (Peņa Alba).
We meet this unique joint of popular architecture whose roofs are
huge pieces of slate that seem to have always taken part of the
landscape.
The church makes stand out, an importan part of the Mozarabic art
and it is the only remains of the ancient monastery. The monastery
was founded by San Genadio in the X th.C.
Very near, at the entrance to the Silence Valley there is San Genadioīs
Cave, where the Saint went looking for loneliness.
