Santiago de Campostella, Galicia, Spain
We berthed early in the small harbour of La Coruna, an important seaport in the region known as Galicia. This was a gateway in Medieval times for countless pilgrims from Atlantic Europe on their way to the venerated shrine of Santiago de Campostella. Our day began with a short coach drive through this harbor town, the highlight of which was a visit to the famous “Tower of Hercules.” This is a lighthouse which was originally built by the Romans in the second century AD. A large fire was tended on its top to act as a beacon for the vessels arriving at the port. The present structure was constructed in the eighteenth century and stands sixty meters high. It is the oldest working lighthouse in the world. While we were making our way to the viewing platform at its base the Endeavour was cruising out to sea on her way to reposition and signaled to us.
Leaving La Coruna behind we took a scenic drive to Santiago de Campostella passing through the Galician countryside. This ancient settlement still retains much of its Medieval atmosphere. Our guides took us on an informative walk through some of its architectural highlights. The city is very much an active center of pilgrimage and in addition is celebrating a Jubilee Year. Pilgrims were arriving along every street and laneway homing in on the twelfth century Cathedral which houses the mortal remains of St. James whose symbol is a scallop shell. Pilgrims who travel from all over Europe along a number of ancient route ways carry a document known as a ‘passport’ which is stamped at designated stations as they make their way to the shrine. The Cathedral is an impressive structure and is highly ornate with medieval carvings. We were present during noon mass at the end of which we witnessed the spectacular swinging of the pendulous incense burner or ‘botafumeiro.’ Following this we retired to the Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, an elegant establishment where we were treated to a display of traditional Galician dancing. We then had an excellent lunch, the grand finale of which was the impressive qeimada or fire drink, a local custom which invokes the blessings of the dead. We then continued our explorations of this attractive town.
In the late afternoon we boarded our coaches and passed through the patchwork like countryside on the way to the picturesque fishing village of Mouros where the Endeavour awaited us.
We berthed early in the small harbour of La Coruna, an important seaport in the region known as Galicia. This was a gateway in Medieval times for countless pilgrims from Atlantic Europe on their way to the venerated shrine of Santiago de Campostella. Our day began with a short coach drive through this harbor town, the highlight of which was a visit to the famous “Tower of Hercules.” This is a lighthouse which was originally built by the Romans in the second century AD. A large fire was tended on its top to act as a beacon for the vessels arriving at the port. The present structure was constructed in the eighteenth century and stands sixty meters high. It is the oldest working lighthouse in the world. While we were making our way to the viewing platform at its base the Endeavour was cruising out to sea on her way to reposition and signaled to us.
Leaving La Coruna behind we took a scenic drive to Santiago de Campostella passing through the Galician countryside. This ancient settlement still retains much of its Medieval atmosphere. Our guides took us on an informative walk through some of its architectural highlights. The city is very much an active center of pilgrimage and in addition is celebrating a Jubilee Year. Pilgrims were arriving along every street and laneway homing in on the twelfth century Cathedral which houses the mortal remains of St. James whose symbol is a scallop shell. Pilgrims who travel from all over Europe along a number of ancient route ways carry a document known as a ‘passport’ which is stamped at designated stations as they make their way to the shrine. The Cathedral is an impressive structure and is highly ornate with medieval carvings. We were present during noon mass at the end of which we witnessed the spectacular swinging of the pendulous incense burner or ‘botafumeiro.’ Following this we retired to the Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, an elegant establishment where we were treated to a display of traditional Galician dancing. We then had an excellent lunch, the grand finale of which was the impressive qeimada or fire drink, a local custom which invokes the blessings of the dead. We then continued our explorations of this attractive town.
In the late afternoon we boarded our coaches and passed through the patchwork like countryside on the way to the picturesque fishing village of Mouros where the Endeavour awaited us.
