Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

24  INTRODUCING NOR THERN SP AIN

The Road to Santiago

According to legend the body of Christ’s apostle James
was brought to Galicia. In 813 the relics were supposedly
discovered at Santiago de Compostela, where a cathedral
was built in his honour (see pp66–7). In the Middle Ages half
a million pilgrims a year flocked here from all over Europe,
crossing the Pyrenees at Roncesvalles (see p154) or via the
Somport Pass in Aragón (see p178). They often donned the
traditional garb of cape, long staff and curling felt hat adorned
with scallop shells, the symbol of the saint. The various routes,
marked by the cathedrals, churches and hospitals built along
them, are still used by travellers today.

Astorga (see
p117), once a
Roman city, was 19th-century painting of the Pórtico
an impor tant da Gloria in Santiago’s cathedral
halt on the
pilgrim route in
the Middle Ages.
The museum within
its cathedral has a
collection of gold and
silver plate including a
13th-century gold
filigree cross.

O Cebreiro (see p78) has
A certificate is given a 9th-century church
to pilgrims covering and some of the ancient
100 km (62 miles) of the pallozas the pilgrims often
route on foot, or 200 km used for shelter. León was one of the main pilgrim
(125 miles) on horseback.
stops. Its cathedral (see pp120–21)
contains one of Spain’s finest
collections of stained glass.
0 kilometres 50
0 miles 50 Ribadeo
Oviedo
A Coruña
Maritime Route Northern Route
Santiago de
Compostela Vilar de Donas
Ligonde
Villafranca
O Cebreiro del Bierzo
León
Ponferrada
Astorga Hospital Sahagún
de Órbigo
Vigo Silver Route Frómista
Ponferrada’s huge Templar
castle stands close to the
Porto, town centre (see p117).
Lisboa

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