Chapel of Saint Lazarus

The Chapel of Saint Lazarus stands in Sarria, in the province of Lugo, Galicia, on Rúa Calvo Sotelo, right at the edge of the old town. For pilgrims setting off from Sarria, it's one of the very first landmarks they pass on the Camino de Santiago.

Where does the chapel come from?

The building is the only surviving part of a medieval leprosarium — a hospital that once cared for people with leprosy on this site, isolating and treating them under the sanitary practices of the era right up until the early 18th century. Such facilities were traditionally placed on the edge of towns, along the main pilgrim routes, so travelers could receive care without entering the town center. While the surrounding hospital buildings disappeared long ago, the chapel itself survived, rebuilt and maintained across several centuries.

The old hospital also gave its name to the surrounding San Lázaro neighborhood, still one of the most recognizable parts of Sarria today. Until the 19th century this area formally belonged to the neighboring parish of Maside, only later becoming part of the town proper.

What will you see?

Don't expect a grand sanctuary — this is a modest, low-key building, plain in form and sparing in decoration, which fits its original purpose: a place of prayer for the sick and for travelers, not a showpiece church. It rewards a short pause rather than a long visit. Standing here also marks something symbolic for many walkers: Sarria is the starting point most pilgrims use to walk the final roughly 100 km of the Camino Francés, the minimum distance required to earn the Compostela, and this chapel is one of the first things they see on their way out of town.

How to get there and when to visit?

The chapel sits within easy walking distance of Sarria's train station and the town's pilgrim hostels, so no separate trip is needed — you pass it naturally on the way out toward Portomarín. Early morning is the best time to see it, when pilgrims are setting off for the day's stage and the area has that distinctive Camino rhythm, while the chapel itself stays quiet. Sarria has a mild Atlantic climate, and spring and early autumn bring the least rain and the most comfortable temperatures for walking around town.

Why is it worth a stop?

The Chapel of Saint Lazarus is more than a dot on the map — it's a tangible trace of how pilgrim routes organized care for the most vulnerable travelers for centuries. For anyone curious about the history behind the Camino de Santiago, it's one of those small sites that explains how deeply pilgrim infrastructure was woven into the life of a town, rather than being an afterthought to it.

Frequently asked questions

What was the Chapel of Saint Lazarus originally used for? It's the last remaining part of a medieval leprosarium, where people with leprosy were treated and isolated until the early 18th century.

Where exactly is it located? On Rúa Calvo Sotelo in Sarria, near the entrance to the old town, right on the Camino Francés route.

Is it a popular stop for pilgrims? Yes — it's one of the first landmarks passed by pilgrims starting the final 100 km of the Camino de Santiago from Sarria.

How long does a visit take? Just a few minutes. It's a small, modest chapel best seen in passing while walking through town or setting out on the pilgrim route.