We slept in till 0850! A quick brekky before meeting our walking tour guide, Marianna (46yo) who was very informative and a delightful person. The parador we are staying in use to be a hospital in 1550. It has been working as a hotel since 1945.
There are 8 different pilgrim ways, the most common is the one from the French boarder to Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela is the 3rd biggest pilgrimage in the world, with Rome being the biggest. It is divided into the historical part which was once surrounded by a wall and the modern part. It's population is 95,000, with 30% living in the historical part. No cars except taxis or those required to deliver services are allowed into the historical part.
In the Middle Ages pilgrims came to Santiago de Compostela for indulgence. In the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church indulgence is a "way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins". They were given a scollop shell as a reminder to the pilgrims having made a sacrifice by their journey to Santiago "how to behave in future life after being forgiven". These shells are now seen everywhere and symbolise perfection.
Galicia has the longest coastline of any region in Spain and its main industry is fishing. Textiles are another major industry.
We completed an enjoyable walking tour with a coffee at Cafe Casino, a lovely old building built in 1873 which was used as a meeting place by writers of the 19th century.
Dinner of more tasty tapas at Restaurant O'42 recommended by Marianna and TripAdvisor.
Fonseca House: Fonseca was a Bishop who used his Grandparents house to establish a University teaching theology and grammar. This University was restored in 1947 but has subsequently been recently closed.
These two ladies became famous for their opposition to Franco's regime by dressing in colourful clothing and his degradation of women. They are the second most popular photo taken here, the Cathedral being the first.
We walked the Promenade which was lined with oak trees which the Celtic people believed " were magical". This large eucalyptus tree from Australia is the only remaining one in a public area called "the love tree", overlooking the cathedral. Eucalyptus trees are in abundance introduced from Australia to produce their own paper.
The bagpipe is the traditional musical instrument of Glacia.
Markets of Santiago de Compostela
Walking down part of the finishing stretch of the Camino trail.
The famous scalloped shell showing the way.
Cafe Casino where we had coffee. Most people sat outside at the front smoking! It was the old Casino of 1873.
We waited patiently to enter the Cathedral
Still in the queue buttering closer!
Walking into the square where the pilgrims finally arrive in Santiago de Compostela.
The grand interior of our Parador.
Walkers arriving with dogs in tow.
The last remaining city wall standing.
Dinner at Restaurant O'42.
Tasty squid, a famous dish in Spain.
Squashed eggs with chorizo!
Our entertaining waiter.
Flags flying above our square. - Galician flag, Spanish flag, UN flag and Santiago de Compostela flag
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