| Page Views: 1,697 Last Visit to Santiago de Compostela: August, 2009 | Santiago de Compostela - Winter and Summer by suvanki - last update: Oct 26, 2009 |
The traditional way to arrive in Santiago de Compostela is by walking (or cycling) for hundreds of miles on one of the old pilgrims roads. I opted for an easier journey, but felt that I'd suffered sufficiently. A nightmare drive from Sheffield to Liverpools Speke airport in the early hours of the morning, where gale force winds and torrential rain battered my small car around, nearly forcing me to turn around..then a flight courtesy of Cheap and Cheerless Ryanair. Catching the bus into the city centre, my sense of direction and map reading skills deserted me, and I spent about an hour wandering around trying to find my hotel-at least I got to see some of the sights and 'off the beaten track' corners of the old town. So when I finally fell through the door of my hotel, I did have some empathy with the pilgrims relief at reaching the Cathedral!My reason for visiting Santiago De Compostela was my birthday treat to myself, A place I'd wanted to visit ever since I'd seen a Travel programme that featured the botafumeiro, and priests swinging from it - well that was how I'd remembered it!! Oh and a Ryanair 1p each way flight (£22.98 return including taxes etc). I was looking forward to seeing a piece of Spain that was unfamiliar. Galicia in the North West of Spain is sometimes compared to Ireland, with its inclement weather that gives it the title of Green Spain.
I had the impression that Galicia had more in common with its bordering neighbour of Portugal than its Mediterranean compatriats.
Its language - galego - apparently is a cross between Portuguese and Castillian. Bagpipes are heard more than castanets, and the architecture is more grey slate and granite than whitewashed and sun baked. |
| Pilgrim costume photographers studio Santiago De C |
|  | Santiago de Compostela is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its old town of plazzas, parks and churches surrounding the Baroque Cathedral of the Apostle. It is a lively University city and is the destination for pilgrims who've travelled , many walking or riding on the medieval Camino de Santiago - The Way of St. James. (There are many recognised ways, but the most popular is the Camino Frances which crosses the Pyrenees and is 750 kms long).
The corpse of Santiago Apostol (St James), transported by stone boat from the Holy Land to Spain by 2 disciples, was buried near Padron (South of Santiago de Compostela). In 813, guided by a star, a religious hermit re-discovered the grave - ( and the name Compostela - Field of the Star - from the latin campus stellae ). The Christian Spain fervently began to build a church over his remains. Word spread, and soon pilgrims were arriving from Western Europe. The 12th century was the pinnacle of pilgrimage, with believers undergoing the arduous walk for penance, as an expression of their faith or a blessing for their future. It has had a recent resurgence, with ever increasing number of feet thumping over the roads to Santiago each year. |
Returning to Santiago de Compostela I'd been wanting to return to Santiago de Compostela, and when I realised that Bruce Springsteen was playing here ..... well my flight was booked! Altogether I spent 10 days in Spain during this trip, this was at the end of my trip. I flew from Madrid (after a great 2 days meeting up with VTers in Madrid)early morning. Although I'd intended to do some sightseeing, I took the chance to catch up on some sleep before the evenings concert. I then had a few hours the next day to see the sights.
It was quite different to my visit in January. I was quite shocked as to how much more crowded it was - especially in the Cathedral-I'm so glad that I'd experienced my visit in the Winter.
to be continued.... |
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| Pros: | "Compact historic city, ideal for a weekend break" | | Cons: | "Crowds in the summer-particularly in the Cathedral" | | In A Nutshell: | "A different piece of Spain" |
suvanki's Santiago de Compostela Travel Tips
 Comments for suvanki about Santiago de Compostela | | | | |
mvtouring Mon Oct 26, 2009 22:32 UTC
Great tips ;-) | Andrew_W_K Tue Aug 4, 2009 16:42 UTC
Saw your transportation tip on Santiago. I thought you had to walk, cycle or ride a donkey to get there ;-) | nomad7890 Thu Jul 16, 2009 21:48 UTC
Hi Sue! I'm headed for Teruel on the 2nd, then to San Vicente de la Barquera on the 5th ... so if you want to join your Blarney travel buddy you're more than welcome! - All the best, Martha | mikelisaanna Sun Oct 14, 2007 16:33 UTC
We enjoyed your Santiago page and tips. We will have to add the town to our itinerary next time we go to Spain. |
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