May 3, 2026
On Sunday, May 3r, we walked almost 27k to Mansilla de las Mulas.
Zazi caught the same cold I have, only hers is worse. It was an easy walk, except that the cold takes out some of the energy. Towards the end my body was telling me to stop, rest, recover. But all in all I feel well. I got one small blister a few days ago, otherwise my body is fine, tired but fine.
Mansilla de las Mulas turned out to be a much more interesting town than I expected. Mansilla has an impressive town wall which is up to 14m high where it overlooks the river Esla.
Construction took place over many years beginning in the 12th century. The building materials used were bricks composed of mud, straw and stones, with more mud used as cement. There were originally four gates of which La Puerta de la Concepción (in the east) is the best preserved.
The Main Gate through which pilgrims historically entered Mansilla.
Los Cubos are six semi-circular defensive towers set along the walls about 40m apart. The Camino enters the town through La Puerta del Castillo which was the main gate.
I walked all around the inside streets of the wall, twice, that’s how enjoyable it was. Below is a slideshow of the walk:
Going on, houses built against the wall 
Another archway 
Poppies close to the wall 
A third portico in the wall 
Closer to the same portico 
The wall from the outside 
The wall from the outside looking the other way 
Pano from outside the wall 
Looking the other way 
Back inside, a closer view of the wall 
Closeup of the wall 
Looking back at the bridge from inside the wall 
A poppy growing right by the wall 
Further on, houses built right against the wall 
Detail 
More houses built against the wall 
More wall 
Walking on … 
One of the towers built into the wall 
The only one that’s accessible 
The steps up 
At the top 
Pano of Mansilla from the tower 
View from the tower 
Detail 
I have to go down … 
Looking back at the towers 
For Sale
On May 4 we have a short walk, about 20k, to León.
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