ESTUARY

Until recently, Orio's main street stretched as far as the Orio Estuary. In the past there was a pier here, from which a passenger boat service used to leave. The ferryboat was the only link between the two banks of the river, and the passengers, due to the lack of bridges, had to use this service in order to cross the estuary. However, pilgrims enjoyed a royal privilege and were exempted from paying the maravedí (Spanish coin) fare. This shows how important the Way of Saint James was at that time.