Rural Hotel Vía Avis
Restored by keeping its original structure and its parts of the house, with ecological materials, and totally respectful towards its natural environment, this 18thCentury stately mansion has become a cozy rural establishment in Santa Catalina, just 2 km far from Castrillo de los Polvazares – which is one of the most beautiful towns in the Maragateria region and in the whole province – and just 6 km far from the city of Astorga, linked by the LE-6304 road. It has an altitude of 985 m above the sea level.
It is placed right in the St James’ Way (French Way) marked by the Milky Way, also known as the Way of the Stars and, in the northern countries of Europe, The Birds’ Way, because it was the birds that were believed to guide the souls into Paradise.
This route continues towards other beautiful towns like Rabanal, Foncebadon, El Acebo or Molina seca on the way to Ponferrada. This area is well known, because of the outstanding quality of its skies and its low light pollution, as one of the best areas in Spain for star gazing and bird watching.
The House
Built in 1776, and once restored and set up for touristic use, it consists of 6 double bedrooms, each one of them with its own personality, but always related to birds and their mythology.
The wide, comfortable 55 square-meter living room with a library, table games, smart TV, bar, kitchenette and mini-bar, has got a large window which provides us with impressive views of the Maragateria region and its magical mount Teleno. There are breathtaking morning and evening twilights in this area, which will invite us to enjoy them from this corner of the house.
The Maragato Patio has a stone pavement with the shape of the Maragato flower, which is an ornament with a Celtic origin, and it has been frequently present in the folk traditions of this town. There is also a small garden corner with aromatic plants, old benches and tables, a relaxing place to savour a cup of coffee, enjoy a nice cup of tea or devote some hours to reading. This place is primarily relaxing and quiet.
There is a Portal hallway, especially designed to hold the ancient carts, and decorated with antique tools.
The gallery, winter shelter, in the cold, sunny winter days is the favourite place to be, in the company of a good book.
The living-dining room is the place where the old fireplace for cooking used to be, the sacrificial meat was processed, and the typical from León “filandones” or handcraft meetings were carried out, when the neighbours gathered near the fireplace to spin the thread while they told stories and tales. There is a well kept wood oven.
The reception, with a phone service, fax, library, and customer care and information desk.
