The Route of Father Sarmiento

History of the Route of Fray Sarmiento

Who was Father Sarmiento?

Known as Fray Martín Sarmiento, Father Sarmiento was born Pedro José García Balboa in Villafranca del Bierzo in 1695. He spent his childhood in Pontevedra, where his father had moved to work. At a very young age, he entered the Benedictine order and studied Arts at the monastery of Lérez. At 15, he moved to Madrid to take the Benedictine habit. He also studied Philosophy at the monastery of Irache and Theology in Salamanca.

He was a staunch defender of science and conducted extensive research on Galicia. After traveling through Asturias and Galicia, he meticulously documented his routes, which later became a source of news, curiosities, and future initiatives. His work paved the way for the study and teaching of Galician culture, making him, alongside Feijoo and Jovellanos, one of the great figures in the field of education.

In his relationship with Galicia, he always harbored a deep love for his homeland and its language. Considered one of the most prominent intellectuals in Galician thought, he was the first scholar to take a serious interest in the Galician language and promote its use, both academically and colloquially. He advocated for the publication of texts and the establishment of chairs for its instruction.

In 1745, he embarked on a journey on foot to Santiago de Compostela, documenting his experiences in a valuable diary titled “Viaje A Galicia.”

Origin of the Route of Father Sarmiento

“On July 19, 1745, I departed from Pontevedra for Santiago, tracing the entirety of O Salnés. I embarked on my journey, capturing the beauty of my homeland in these pages. I sought to preserve the essence of the stunning landscapes I traversed, ensuring they remained etched in my memory forever upon my return to Madrid.” These were Father Sarmiento’s words as he embarked on his pilgrimage along the coast of Pontevedra to Santiago de Compostela, with the goal of earning the Jubilee.

More than two hundred and seventy years later, the route that Fray Martín Sarmiento embarked on that July morning has been revived, thanks to the efforts of the Mancomunidad de O Salnés, with the aim of offering an alternative to the Camino de Santiago.