Day 39 - Santiago de Compostela


If you haven’t read my recent blog posts, you might not be aware that I have completed my Caminos and I am now in Santiago. I’m enjoying a bit of a rest before I fly back to the UK on Friday.

If you know me well, you will know that I find it hard to be a tourist, I would prefer to be out walking on the hills. But today, I have been determined to have a good look at the Cathedral and Santiago. I first went to the museum and bought an inclusive ticket to the museum and guided tour of the Cathedral (in Spanish). Despite my lack of understanding  of the language I enjoyed looking around the museum. 

There was very little English translation so I just looked and appreciated the craftsmanship of the stone masons as there were lots of examples of very old carved stone. The paintings were interesting but quite a few depicting the Spanish soldiers attacking the invading Moors. The library didn’t do much for me for obvious reasons.

I then tried to get into the cathedral, to attend the 12pm pilgrim mass. Although I got there 25 minutes early, the doors were closed as it was full. I’ll try it again tomorrow.

After a couple of hours in the museum I was ready for a break. So, I went on the 45-minute sightseeing tour of Santiago on the tour train. We had headphones and could choose the English translation, but I don’t think I learnt a lot, which was disappointing.



The highlight of my day was the cathedral tour in Spanish. It would have been really helpful to be able to understand what the guide was saying but for most of the tour, she took us up onto the roof of the cathedral. It was fantastic to see close up, the architecture and skill of the craftsmen who build it hundreds of years ago. We also had lovely views over the old part of the city.


I’m sure this tour wouldn’t be allowed in the UK, and I’m surprised no one fell over on the sloping roof. Hopefully the many photos will speak for themselves.

 
One of the angels with wings attached at the back 

The hotel of san Martino Pinario, where I am staying doesn’t cater for pilgrims who want to wash their clothes, so I had to create a washing line today so that I could dry my things in the sun and breeze – and it worked a treat!


Comments

  1. Lyn19 October 2021 at 20:58

    Lovely photos, how brilliant to get up on the roof! It used to be allowed at Wells cathedral but I can remember a woman falling quite some way down, so maybe not done now.
    Hope you get to see the swingy incense thing in full flight, it looks quite tame hanging there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MartinV20 October 2021 at 19:49

      I did see the swingy thing, it was really impressive!

      Delete
    2. Shirl Benbow20 October 2021 at 22:20

      I loved seeing the botofumero when I attended a mass in the cathedral, you really feel (or smell!) the history. The narrow winding streets are amazing too, as is the Spanish custom of promenading the streets every evening

      Delete
  2. Martin20 October 2021 at 13:20

    And why not just be a tourist ... you'll be wanting to go on the landtrain at Weston-super-Mare next! The improvised washing line brings me back memories of life in a hall of residence.

    They must employ a huge number of stone masons at the Cathedral - its so vast.

    I cant believe that the 6 weeks journey is nearly over - what adventures you have packed into that time - normally we cant even think of 1 positive thing that's happened in the last 6 weeks; that's so good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MartinV20 October 2021 at 19:52

      Yes, at the beginning, six weeks felt like such a long time but now it has gone so quickly.
      I am really pleased to have done my blog because it helped me to summarise each day and then to have something to look back on.

      Delete

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