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PILGRIMAGE TO SANTIAGO

5. GALICIA AND SANTIAGO
[Introduction] [Journey] [Pyranees] [La Rioja] [Meseta] [Mountains of Leon] [Galicia & Santiago]
 
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Finally, Galicia, the land the apostle came to evangelise in the first century. For pilgrims from southern England, the landscape will have a familiar look; the high rainfall and the rolling hills at times recall the Home counties or perhaps the Cotswolds. But, England has no Santiago, a holy city of Christendom and last resting place of an apostle!

Statue of pilgrim - St Roque heights

Uplands of Galicia. *

Fortified Romanesque church of St Nicholas, Portomarin. *

The old town of Portomarin was flooded when a reservoir was created. The church of St Nicholas was moved to higher ground in the new town.

Galician Horreo or grain store, build off the ground to protect against rats and snow.

Hostel at Ribadiso, itself an ancient pilgrim hospital in use until the ninetenth century.

Hostel at Arca.

The Baroque facade at Santiago de Compostella

The inner Romanesque doorway at Santiago de Compostella, The Portico de Gloria.

The Statue of St James, High Altar, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostella

The relics of St James are enclosed in a casket below this statue. It is here that pilgrims go to pay their respects and complete the pilgrimage.

Church of Santiago Padron, where the body of St James was received.

Padron is a town 20km from Santiago and is closely bound up with the St James legend. It was here that his body is believed to have arrived after being transported in a stone boat from Jerusalem. Also, James is said to have preached in the locality.

Padron, monument to the St James Legend.

Farewell to Santiago de Compostella.