I flowed smoothly thereafter into and through the magical 14^th century ruins of St. Anton, a old monastery and pilgrims’ hospital (originally founded in 1146 AD) that was once an important stopover for pilgrims along this portion of the Camino. I found the peace I felt here difficult to pinpoint or place, only knowing that this was a place of true solace and profound inspiration – a place that seemed to gently-yet-almost-sternly demand that all its visiting travelers pause and commit themselves to reverent remembrance; honestly recounting the lives they led before their Walk began, clearly noting the lives they were now choosing to live during the same, and devoutly envisioning the lives they wished to live thereafter …

“He loved the ruined cathedrals where you could hear the morning birds and the night breeze; he loved their craggy walls & darker halls bound together by ivy; any form that gave the appearance of death or destruction. Having himself already fallen so far from the grace of his youth, he loved anything that had also fallen from its once greater height. In this way ruins made it more difficult (and therefore more potent) to maintain any desire of building monuments, and all their ancient dust reminded him of the fleetingness of success, and thus made all his efforts fully indifferent to reward or fame.” ~ inspired by Gustave Flaubert

Filed under: Peace Pilgrimage #02: Walking HOME (2019) by Scaughdt