May 31 – Sunday
A monument at the site of what is now the Iron Cross is said to predate Christianity. The Cruz de Ferro became a Christian monument and has remained for an another thousand years. The cross is believed to have been originally placed there in the eleventh century by Gaucelmo.
This site is one of the most iconic and emotional landmarks of the Camino de Santiago. The tradition of the Camino has been to take a rock from your home and carry it with you on your pilgrimage. The rock is to symbolize your personal burdens, sins and emotional weights.
At the highest point of the Cantabrian Mountain pass, 1500 meters, the cross stands boldly. (4,921 feet elevation). I reached the Iron Cross on Friday May 29th. One month, to the day, since I left my home.
I had anticipated this moment from the beginning of my planning, months previous. It has been the most special moment of my trip. As I was walking, I spotted the cross from a distance and kept my eyes on it until I arrived.
People were crowded around the base taking pictures but they finally moved away and I had a moment alone on the cross hill. I removed the rock that had remained in my pocket for my entire trip and stepped up to the edge of a vast pile of rocks. I reached across this mound as far as I could, and solemnly placed my “burden” at the foot of the cross. In doing so, I acknowledged my having placed all my sin and burdens at the foot of the Cross of our Savior. Amazingly, I remained alone on the hill for those few poignant moments. As I stepped away, a gentleman walked up to me and offered to take my picture.
I remained at the site for a while after my ablations. Then, finally, walked away. I stopped and turned back to see the cross once more before continuing on. In my spirit I left my burdens, my cares and my sins behind. I walked on with a new determination.
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