El nuevo albergue de peregrinos de Torrelavega comenzará a funcionar este verano
The Cantabria Government has completed the refurbishment of the new pilgrim hostel in Torrelavega, with 56 beds, located in the Óscar Freire Sports Complex building, after an investment of 446,980 euros, and it will start operating this summer.
Cantabria’s President, María José Sáenz de Buruaga, visited the facilities with the Mayor of Torrelavega, Javier López Estrada, and the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Sports, Luis Martínez Abad, to check the outcome of the works.
According to a government statement, Buruaga highlighted that this first pilgrim hostel in Torrelavega, set up by the regional government, will position the city as a «point of interest on the Camino de Santiago and will attract pilgrim tourism.»
For the President, this hostel is «another tool that the Cantabria Government is offering to Torrelavega to advance its tourism efforts.»
Buruaga emphasized that the new hostel «is set to become a landmark in pilgrim tourism in Cantabria, as it has all the amenities and services and is strategically located.»
Following the construction carried out by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Sports within the National Xacobeo Tourism Plan, co-financed with Next Generation EU funds, the equipment and furniture are now the responsibility of the Torrelavega City Council. The aim is for it to start operating this coming summer.
Buruaga also explained that this facility enriches Cantabria’s network of hostels by adding new beds and infrastructure «suited to the demands of 21st-century pilgrims.»
At this point, the head of the government recalled that Cantabria continues to work and position itself as a pilgrimage destination. «We have two UNESCO World Heritage routes and a landmark site like the Monastery of Santo Toribio, and with this heritage, the promotion of the Northern Way of St. James and the Lebaniego Way is constantly on the government’s agenda, as this is a tourism niche with an increasingly diverse audience,» she said.
Meanwhile, Torrelavega Mayor, Javier López Estrada, highlighted the importance of this project for the city and its impact on both sports and tourism.
«For us, this is a very positive project, as it adds value to a building acquired by the City Council with the aim of becoming a key piece in the sports and tourism fabric of our city,» López Estrada stated.
The Mayor emphasized the usefulness of the infrastructure not only for pilgrims but also for local athletes. «We are creating a space that will benefit both those who travel these paths and our clubs and athletes, who are achieving more success every day.»
Regarding the future management of the hostel, López Estrada indicated that in the coming months, the City Council will define «the most appropriate management model to ensure the best service for both pilgrims and sports in the city.»
The visit also included the presence of the Director General of Tourism and Hospitality, María Saiz, and the Director of the Lebaniego Way Foundation, Pilar Gómez Bahamonde, as well as councilors from Torrelavega and the technicians from Petrifica S.L, the company awarded the project.
56 BEDS AND 812 SQUARE METERS
The first pilgrim hostel in Torrelavega is located on the first floor of the Óscar Freire Sports Complex building. It occupies an area of 812 square meters out of the total 2,690 square meters of the entire building.
The new space is divided into seven multiple bedrooms for 8 people each, with a total capacity of 56 beds; reception, bathrooms and changing rooms; laundry room, rest and leisure area, and office area, among other services.
The refurbishment works on the first floor included the renovation of electrical installations and the entire lighting system, renewable energy, air conditioning, water supply, telecommunications, and sanitation. Additionally, architectural barriers were removed to ensure accessibility.
During the refurbishment works, seven frescoes were discovered, which have been preserved and integrated into the decoration of the hostel.
FUENTE
