3rd Oct. Vigo, Spain.
I did a tour up to Santaigo. This area is the north west of the Iberian Peninsular in Spain on the Atlantic Ocean. The area called Galicia and is an autonomous community. It was first inhabited by humans during the Middle Paleolithic period, and it takes its name from the Gallaeci, the Celtic people who developed here before spreading to Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
It is a bilingual area speaking Galician (not a dialect – a totally different language) and Spanish.
The industry of the area is based heavily on aquaculture with a huge scallop and muscle industry. 200 years ago the monks discovered Eucalyptus trees in Australia, with their great underwater powers, and imported seeds. They now have huge forests to provide wood for the scallops and muscles platforms.
Cape Fisterra is the western most point. Costa da Morte (Galician: “Coast of Death”), was where the sun went to die each night. The name Fisterra comes from Latin FINIS TERRAE, meaning “Land’s End”. This point was the end of the known world, and is where the drawings of ships sailing off the end of the world are set.
The area is huge in muscle farming.
Santiago – Old Town
James the Apostle brought Christianity here in 34AD, after the crucifixion of Jesus. He was later caught by the Romans and beheaded. His body was stolen and brought back here to be enshrined.
In the 9th century a hermit discovered the tomb of Saint James the Apostle, when a burning star led him there. Word spread that it had been found at the end of the earth. Within years the site became one of the most important Christian pilgrimages. A city formed around the tomb with churches, hospitals etc to support the pilgrims. The Cathedral of Santiago de Compsstela was built on the site. Then, over the millennium many more amazing building.
The UNESCO site is over 100 hectares and is amazing. Twisting alleys and grand squares surrounded by stunning building.
The main square is the end of The Camino de Santiago AKA the ‘Way of St. James’. It is the pilgrimage route also known as the Pilgrims Way. There are nine variations of the walk, all finishing at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compsstela in Galicia.
During the Middle Ages the walk became an important pilgrimage – along with walks to Rome and Jerusalem.
People today walk ‘The Way’ for one of three reasons.
1) As a religious Pilgrimage.
2) As a ‘finding yourself’ mission,
3) Because it is really pretty and a great walk.
The symbol of Camino de Santiago . The walking pole, the gourd for water, the scallop shell with its nine ways leading pilgrims to Cathedral of Santiago de Compsstela.
When you finish the walk, you declare to the officials your purpose – and are awarded the appropriate certificate.
Around 200,000 people do the walk each year.
Pilgrims – Pilgrims everywhere.
The Latin word for Saint James is Santiago.
Witches – good witches are an important part of the Galician life. Which is pretty funny that such a catholic area also has a belief in witches.
This place was amazing!
Click on the link to go to Lisbon.