Real adventure travel to ......Spain !!

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This was a brief sortie, by intrepid travellers standards, but a lovely place to visit for a short break and we took a step into the unknown by flying with Ryan Air !!

Santiago de Compostela is a city in the region of Galicia in north west Spain.It is a UNESCO World Heritage City and final destination of the Way Of St James pilgrim route.The relics of St James,one of Christ's 12 disciples,were discovered here in the 9th century and these are now kept in the cathedral which was begun in the 10th century.Pilgrims from all over the world visit the city each year.( Be warned,I will ask questions later !! ) The actual pilgrims route is 900km long ,running from France and is symbolised by a shell and a stick.The shell could be used as a drinking vessel and the walking stick helped pilgrims negotiate the rough terrain en-route.

We stayed at a B&B overnight as we had an early start,parked in Takeley village and caught a taxi to the terminal.Check in was quick and pleasant,it seems less frenetic at Stansted.Breakfast at Starbucks and managed to sit together on the flight despite not paying the £4 per person priority seat fee. On arrival we
caught the Ryan air coach service into the city and walked 10 minutes to the hostal.

We stayed for 3 nights and spent our time wandering around the beautiful old city.There are 9 Baroque squares;27 historic churches;12 convents and monasteries plus the cathedral,not to mention the 1,100 restaurants,bars and cafeterias in Santiago.Everywhere you look you see stone gargoyles; intricate wood carvings and Baroque,Romanesque and Neoclassical architecture.

We had some lovely food and bought some biscuits from the revolving window at the Monastery of San Pelayo de Antealtares.These windows allow the nuns in the closed convents to sell items they have baked without leaving the convent.They also embroider items for churches and some of the convents open their chuches for visitors.

We saw pilgrims arrive at various times on foot and on bicycles but many of them seemed to be suffering from at least one physical ailment or another. I wonder if this is why there seems to be a pharmacist on every street corner !?!

The pictures probably sum up the city better than any words I could write but,suffice to say,I highly recommend visiting this rather unsung city.

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Photos

Entrance to the parador hotel
Hostal dos Reis Catolicos - formally a Pilgrim hospital and shelter now converted into a 5* Parador

Front of the town hall
Palace of Raxoi built in the 18th century

Cathedral entrance
As seen through one of the arches of the town hall

Up close and personal
Incredible carvings at the front of the cathedral

Inside of a church dome
Typical of the churches in the city

Intricate woodwork
Many of the choir stalls were decorated with beautiful wood carved scenes or people

View of the old town
View from Alameda park

Ceiling the church at ....
Monastery of San Martino Pinario

Market
Inside the 20th century Praza de Abastos which houses the fish,seafood,meat,fruit and flower market

Comments

[Sandy and Ingrid]

Camino?
Going straight to Santiago does not qualify you as a pilgrim!But you should go and do it, because it is awesome! Walking into the cathedral after 500 miles(or less0 is pretty sweet! I like your photos! they bringback some strong memories! Have fun! Sandy and Ingrid

[will]

just love all your photos they are just so great, keep them coming x

[Irene]

Not again!!
Hi there Looks fab - glad to hear that someone other than C is on the move again!! See you sometime???? Irene