Santiago de Compostela
From World travel guide
Santiago de Compostela is in Galicia, Spain.
Contents |
Get in
The traditional way of getting to Santiago de Compostella is by walking about 780 km from St. Jean Pied-de-Port in France, on the Way of St. James. Try it, its great! It is just as tradtional to arrive on Horseback, though considerably more difficult in terms of facilities. Cycling is also popular, but by far the greatest number of travellers (alas) arrive by coach, or only walk the last 100 km.
Get around
Walking (again).
See
The supposed burial place of Saint James, brother of John, Santiago de Compostela has been a site of pilgrimage for over a thousand years.
The tomb of Santiago ("Saint James") is located under the Cathedral. On regular occasions the church shows it's "Bottafumeiro", a huge solid silver incense burner while is swung from the roof of the church by team of energetic monks hauling on ropes.
Do
With your "credencial" that proves you walked at least the last 100km get a diploma that proves you walked. In the daily ceremony in the Cathedral at 12 it will be said how many people arrived and their country of origin.
Buy
The town is now a very important center for pilgrims. You can find all sorts of souvenirs related to "the camino": walking sticks, the typical water-bottles, and the shells that are typical for the camino.
Eat
Galicia is known for "Pulpos" or cooked octopus. In general there are a lot of restaurants selling fish and sea-fruit ranging from every price category. The local cheese should also be sampled, as well as delicious cakes like the "Torta de Santiago". Expect long queues at popular pilgrim eating places
Drink
Sleep
Just outside of Santiago is a small town called "Monte de Gozo". Most Pilgrims stop there before entering the city. It's a huge center and has almost 2000 beds. There is a frequent busline that will take you to walking distance of the town center.
People with a bigger budget can stay in the luxury "Hotel Dos Reis Catolicos", the former medieval pilgrim hostel, situated on the same place as the cathedral. It is owned by the Paradores group, a large hotel-chain which operates hotels exclusively in historic buildings.
Get out
70km out of Santiago is the town called Finisterre. Before the Americas were discovered, people believed this was the end of the world (finis = end; terra = earth)
External links
WikiPedia:Santiago de Compostela
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