In earlier times Lavacolla was the traditional washing and purification place for pilgrims before they entered Santiago.

Lavacolla is described in the Codex Calixtinus as the place where pilgrims would take off all their clothes and wash themselves in the river. This was done out of respect for and in preparation for meeting Saint James. Even after a few days it is possible to appreciate that maintaining personal hygiene standards whilst living out of a back pack and walking 23km per day is challenging. However, I am not sure this is a tradition I would like to see come back into fashion as the river in question is a very small stream these days, completely unsuitable for bathing.