Tomás, the Hospitalero of Manjarín and the Last Templar

Discover the story of Tomás, the hospitalero of Manjarín, an emblematic figure of the Camino de Santiago considered by many as the last templar. The article reviews his life, his legacy in welcoming pilgrims, and the symbolism surrounding this unique enclave of the Way.

The Camino de Santiago is a little sadder. On the night of January 14 to 15, 2026, Tomás Martínez de Paz, better known to all as Tomás de Manzarínor the last templar, passed away in the Hospital de Ponferrada. He was one of those characters that seem to be taken from a story, but many pilgrims truly knew him, up there, at the top of the French Way.

This text is not a complete biography nor a historical report. It is, above all, a small tribute to remember who Tomás was, what he did for the pilgrims, and why his name is now part of the legend of the Camino de Santiago.

Tomás de Manzarín

A light at the top of the French Way

If you have walked the French Way, you may remember the stretch between Foncebadón and El Acebo. It is a high, mountainous area where in winter the wind blows fiercely and the snow can cover everything. In the midst of that landscape appears Manzarín, a small almost empty Maragato village, located at about 1,500 meters above sea level, shortly after the Cruz de Ferro.

There, since 1993, Tomás built a very special shelter for the pilgrims: the Templar Refuge of Manzarín. When he arrived, the place was practically in ruins. With patience, hard work, and a deep faith in the Camino, he brought that corner to life: first a simple shed, then a refuge filled with templar symbols, flags, red crosses, and a famous wooden post with signs pointing to Santiago, Rome, Jerusalem, and other sacred places in the world.

Who was Tomás de Manzarín

Tomas was a simple yet tough man. He had been a soldier and knew what it meant to endure cold, hunger, and fear. Before settling in Manzarín, he worked for years in the Ponferrada area. Life became increasingly complicated for him, and as he himself recounted, he felt everything was crumbling. Then the Camino appeared.

One day he arrived at the abandoned village of Manzarín and felt that this place was calling him. He decided to stay there "like a Templar warrior in service of the pilgrims". He learned the trade of shelter manager at the Ave Fénix shelter in Villafranca del Bierzo, where he discovered how to care for, listen to, and encourage the walkers. From then on, he dedicated his entire life to hospitality.

Although he lived in León and was known as a maragato, Tomás also had a very strong connection with Abarán and the Region of Murcia. There, he was considered an authentic ambassador of the town: he spoke of Abarán to the pilgrims, participated in Jacobean events, and carried the name of his friendly land throughout the route. For many Murcians, Tomás was "their" shelter manager on the Camino.

Female pilgrims arriving in Manzarín

A Templar refuge in the midst of the fog

Tomas's refuge was not a modern shelter. It had no luxuries: for a long time, there was no running water or electricity, and energy came only from a few solar panels. Inside, the floor was made of dirt or cement, the bunk beds were simple, and the cold was fought with a stove and plenty of hot coffee. Sleeping was "by donation," meaning each person left what they could or wanted.

However, the place was full of magic. Tomás welcomed the pilgrims in his white tunic and the red templar cross, rang a bell when he saw someone approaching, and offered a chair, a broth, or a simple glass of water. Many remember how they would sit by the fire while he listened to their stories, blessed the Way ahead, and reminded them that what mattered was not the destination, but the spirit with which they walked.

Every day, at eleven in the morning, he performed a prayer for peace. It was a small rite in which he mixed templar tradition, simple faith, and a deep desire for brotherhood. He prayed with the pilgrims in different languages and asked for peace in the world. For many, that moment was one of the most emotional memories of their entire journey.

A templar in service of the pilgrims

Tomás was not interested in trendy tourism or the Camino turned into a theme park. He defended an authentic Camino de Santiago, more spiritual than touristic. He criticized the "three-star shelters" when they lost their simplicity and treated the pilgrim like any other customer. In Manzarín, everything was different: there one did not go to occupy a bed, but to share an experience.

His relationship with the Order of the Temple went far beyond the disguise. In the nineties, he promoted the Templar Circle of Ponferrada and saw himself as a modern guardian of the route. He did not protect the Way with sword and armor, but with hospitality, listening, and constant presence, winter after winter, when hardly any pilgrims passed and the snow covered the mountains.

He was also a bridge between places. From Manzarín, he spoke of Maragatería, Ponferrada, the Region of Murcia, Abarán, and so many places he had passed through. His shelter was like a small square of the world, where people from many countries, ages, and religions met, united by the same desire to reach Santiago.

View of Tomás's shelter in Manzarín

A legacy that remains alive in every step

After his passing, a funeral was held at the basilica of La Encina in Ponferrada, and the family announced that his ashes would be scattered in Manzarín. It is nice to think that, in some way, Tomás will continue to accompany the pilgrims from that very place where he chose to live and serve.

Today the templar shelter is silent, but its history remains alive. Every time someone climbs towards the Cruz de Ferro and approaches Manzarín, they can imagine the bell ringing, smoke coming from the kitchen, and the figure of a bearded man in a white tunic opening the door to offer something warm and a simple blessing.

If one day you walk by there, you might want to stop for a moment, look at the landscape, and give thanks. I came to know him in 2022 while walking the French Way, and I was fortunate to be able to talk with him over his hot coffee and receive his stamp and all his humanity. Thank you, Tomás, for your hospitality and for reminding us that the Camino de Santiago is also about caring for others. And for teaching us that sometimes, a small shelter in the midst of the fog can become one of the great treasures of the Camino.

Buen Camino, Tomás, and may the earth be light upon you. Your spirit will continue walking with us.