The "Camino" - Return of tradition.
by breughel
While the old continent moved to a strong secularization, Santiago (St James) of Compostela attracts more and more christian and agnostic walkers who wish to make the long way of St James in a purpose of spiritual renewal.
The "Camino Frances", 800 km from the Roncesvalles near the French border, one month of marching, is the most known but there are many others Camino's in Spain, without taking into account the St James Ways in the nearby countries.
In 2005 there were 93.924 officially listed pilgrims, having received the certificate "Compostela"; that are those who travelled at least 100 km on foot or 200 km on bicycle. Generally 80 % come on foot. Besides, there are all other visitors who come by car, by bus or plane.
Santiago of Compostela was the third holy city of the Christendom and, in my opinion, the only city from the three ancient holy ones still really active as such. Indeed Jerusalem has in the history of the Christendom been often inaccessible. Rome, presently, is much more than the capital of Catholicism; it is the capital of the antique Roman Empire and the capital of the modern Italy so that the notion of "holy city" got diluted on the contrary of Santiago de Compostela which remains essentially a city of pilgrimage.
There are many guides of the Ways of Compostela with abundance of practical details on roads and accommodations.
This practice to describe the Ways of St James already began in the 12th century. The pilgrims of that time made benefit from their often dangerous road experience those who would follow them.
In a sense, the Virtual Tourist of the Middle Ages.
Iglesia de Santa María Salomé
by Redang
Iglesia de Santa María Salomé (Igrexa de Santa María Salomé/Church of Santa María Salomé) was commissioned by Archbishop Xelmírez in the 12th century. Just the front and a few details are original. It is dedicated to María Salomé, the mother of the Apostle Santiago.
Where:
Rúa Nova, 31
Tel.: (+34) 981 58 41 68
"Las ruas" Calles y ricones - Streets and corners
by elpariente
Las "ruas" , calles estrechas y empedradas son el sitio ideal para darse un paseo a primera hora de la mañana , cuando la ciudad aún no se ha despertado y puedes perderte por las calles adoquinadas sorprendiéndote cada vez que doblas una esquina
Los nombres de sus calles son melosos como Galicia
The "Ruas, narrow cobbled streets are the ideal place to take a walk first thing in the morning, when the city has yet to be awakened and you can loose on the cobbled streets beeing surprised every time you turn a corner .
The street names are sweet as Galicia
Pazo de Roxoi
by Shabu
The most modern construction in the Obradoiro is the Pazo de Raxoi, a huge and elegant neo-classical building of the 18th century, and currently shared by Santiago City Council and the Presidency of the Government of Galicia. It was built by order of Archbishop Bartolom? de Raxoi and Losada. In the center, triangular part of the building can be seen a small depiction of the battle of Clavijo with a large sculpture of St. James above it.
Plaza de las Platerias
by Shabu
This square is named after the many shops of silver articles (Platerias) which are to be found under its arcades. From here you can see the cathedral's gothic portal and the only facade which is conserved in the original Romanesque style, with fantastic sculpture works, such as the figure of King David. In the center of the square is the Fuente de los Caballos, a 19th century fountain, the Casa del Cabildo, a Baroque building of the 18th century, measuring only three metres from front to back wall as it has a purely decorative function; to close one of the sides of the beautiful square, and Casa de los Canonigos, another 18th century palace that separates Plaza de las Platerias from Plaza de la Quintana.
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Puerta Santa (Cathedral of Santiago de C. (Spain)
Cathedral (Santiago de Compostela., Spain)
Cathedral (Santiago de Compostela., Spain)
The botafumeiro in full flight
