Santiago de Compostella

In order to appreciate this town, you probably have to rent the movie, "The Way" with Martin Sheen (not a bad family night), but here is the story in a nutshell: Santiago is St. James in Spanish (the same guy in the Peter, James, and John trio).  He spent a decade spreading the gospel in Spain before he was supposedly beheaded by Herod Agrippa in AD 44.  Rumor persists that 2 disciples brought both parts of his body back to Spain and hid it in a tomb for 800 years, where upon a monk, directed by the stars, discovered the tomb.  The bishop declared that St. James was in Galicia, and a cathedral was built.  Historians think the "discovery" was, however a way to rally the Christians against the Moors and drive them out of Spain.  Never the less, this has inspired millions to walk the pilgrimage from southern France to Santiago de Compostela (500 miles, takes about a month, but many do it in sections each year).

Below is the oldest hotel in Spain (built in the early 1500,s).  It is in the same square as the cathedral.   It was originally built by Isabella and Ferdinand (same duo that funded Columbus) as a hospital for the pilgrims traveling to pay homage to St. James.  The hospital was free and remained open as such until 1952.  To this day, the first 10 pilgrims to arrive each morning still get free meals here for the next 3 days.  They no longer get to share the same dining room as paying guests (that would be us) because, well, they usually stink from their long hike.

 

 Now for the cathedral:  This was built starting in 813 AD.

 Glimpses of tired hikers

 Yep, some come on horseback (this is not considered as "holy" as those that walk though)

 

 Upon entering the cathedral, the devout who have spent a month hiking the trail enter on their knees to 

place their hand on this statue of St. James, bowing their head to give thanks for safe passage.

  

 

 Here are the remains of the guy they claim is St. James

 This door was made in 2004 with carvings of the life of James

 Notice the all-seeing eye up top (better behave yourself!!)

As you wander back into the village, a constant serenade of bagpipes fills the air.

 The tiny cross, dead center in this picture, is where travelers would burn their clothes (stink is a problem after a month, I guess) 

St. Martin's Monastery

 Still can't resist the variety of doors...

 Saturday is market day.  This was the first coop of it's time built in the 1920's, where little markets were set up on the same street to 

sell produce and meat.  I love these country women.

Octopus is very popular here, and yes we did eat some.