Page 228 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

226  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

What to Buy in Northern Spain

Whether it’s Basque berets or Galician pottery, each region of
Northern Spain has its own unique handicrafts and souvenirs
for sale, making shopping an enjoyable experience. Every town
has a selection of souvenir shops and markets selling craft
products and delicious foodstuffs. Especially popular are
handmade goods such as wooden clogs, wicker baskets and
Galician bobbin lace, as well as items connected with the
pilgrimage route of St James. The region produces delicious
wines and other alcoholic beverages – La Rioja wines, Galician Souvenirs in an antique shop in Santillana
orujo and queimada, and Asturian cider, are all good choices del Mar
for gifts to take home.
Souvenirs of the Pilgrimage Route
of St James
Northern Spain, and Galicia in particular, is
strongly associated with the pilgrimage route
to Santiago de Compostela, along which
thousands of pilgrims travel each year.
Religious artifacts, such as figures and
paintings of St James, miniature
models of Santiago Cathedral,
and scallop shells, are available. Scallop Shell
This white shell is a symbol of
the route of St James -– pilgrims
would use these shells as
A figure of St James spoons or cups.
Figures of St James in various
poses – sitting, standing, Pilgrim’s Walking Stick
usually with a staff in hand – Wooden walking sticks and
can be bought in practically gourds for water were once
every place along the indispensable items carried
pilgrimage route. by every pilgrim. They are
now popular souvenirs.

Dancing Basque
Dressed in a characteristic white outfit,
Regional Souvenirs
with a red sash around his waist,
Every region has its own typical the Dancing Basque model is a
souvenirs. Especially popular are popular purchase.
ceramic plates decorated with images
of important regional buildings. In Basque Beret Typical black berets
Galicia, you can buy ceramic figures (txapela or boina de Tolosa) are
and utensils, as well as azabache – often adorned with
jet – jewellery. The Basque the emblems of
Country is famous for its football clubs or
berets and figures of the the Basque
patron saints of Basque national flag.
towns, while in Asturias
you can buy tiny
granaries and figures
of the Virgen
de Covadonga.

Tower of Hercules
A blue-and-white ceramic Tower
of Hercules, a symbol of A Coruña,
is a typical souvenir. In many
towns you can buy ceramic Cantabrian candle holder, with Ceramic plate from
miniatures of famous buildings. windable wick Santillana del Mar

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