• CWBuff
  • Suzanne Brown
  • Scott Brown
  • CWBuff
  • Suzanne Brown
  • Scott Brown
  • Marina Bleimaier

Camino de Santiago - the last 100+ KM

Returning to Camino Frances to walk the last 100+ KM with 3 of my friends (it is their 1st).
Starting in Sarria and will continue onto Camino Finisterre after 2 days in Santiago de Compostela.
Interesting to see how Camino has changed in 4 years...
Les mer
  • And the one that was

    29. mai, Spania ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    While being all right, not the best dinner we've had on Camino 😞
    Course 1
    Salata Mixta ( Marina)
    Tapas style
    Melón con Jamón
    Croquetas (sorry no pic)
    Empanada (3 of us(

    2bd course
    Pechuga a la plancha (Suzanne)
    Pollo al Horno (Marina)
    Filete a la plancha (YT)
    Zorza +Scott)

    Never took photos of dessert

    Our table was sandwiched between a group of school teenagers ( very famous*situation " on Camino...as a matter of fact, their Albergue is a good 400 M away, and we can hear the screaming NOW!!!) and a group of men where one was just obnoxiously LOUD!!
    Didn't help the situation
    Les mer

  • The morning of the final stretch

    30. mai, Spania ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    The usual breakfast drinks
    (Freshly squeezed) Orange juice
    Coffees con Leche
    Black Tea
    Marina opted out from anything else
    Eggs with bacon for the Browns
    Ham and tomato jam for YT

    Pastor Mandy's Serene Morning video of the day (rain addition)Les mer

  • Lavacolla

    30. mai, Spania ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Igrexa de San Paio de Sabugueira is located in the parish of the same name, within the municipality of Santiago de Compostela , in the province of A Coruña . Situated in A Lavacolla, this church stands as one of the last temples the pilgrim encounters before reaching the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Its location, barely 10 kilometers from the historic center, makes it a stop of profound spiritual and cultural symbolism on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago .
    The church is dedicated to Saint Pelayo, a young 10th-century martyr whose story has been widely venerated in Galicia. It is believed that his cult was established in this area during the Middle Ages, coinciding with the expansion of the Camino de Santiago and the consolidation of routes that facilitated the construction of churches and chapels to provide spiritual and physical care for pilgrims.

    The current building, although it has undergone renovations and expansions over the centuries, retains elements that reflect traditional Ga
    lician architectural styles, with Romanesque and Baroque influences. Parish documents and diocesan archives attest to the existence of an active religious community in Sabugueira since at least the 14th century.

    Flowers and Doors
    (I have not forgotten about you ladies)
    Les mer

  • Monte do Gozo

    30. mai, Spania ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Monte do Gozo (in Spanish: Monte del Gozo ) is a hill 370 meters high located in the Galician municipality of Santiago de Compostela , in Spain .
    It is known as the place from which pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago can first see the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela , the destination of their pilgrimage, and hence its name.
    The most characteristic monument of Monte do Gozo (at least for walkers), is probably the one added in 1992 by the Galician sculptor José María Acuña : a bronze representation of two pilgrims seeing the
    Les mer

  • Hospedería San Martin de Pinario

    30. mai, Spania ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    The Hospedaría San Martiño Pinario is a highly-rated hotel located in a magnificent 16th-century monastery directly facing the Cathedral in the historic heart of Santiago de Compostela.

    We are living a plush life as each of us has their own private room with en-suite for the 2 nights we are in Santiago

    This is my room and a view from it

    Doors, corridors and courtyard
    Les mer

  • Serene Morning in Santiago

    31. mai, Spania ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    The Day when Pilgrims play Tourists couldn't have started any better.
    It was absolutely serene and from what I gathered nobody complained about having their own private room 😉

    The breakfast in San Martin Pinario is, although simple, quite lavish spread with various juices, cold cuts, cheeses, yogurts, breads, jams, pastries and hot beverages.Les mer

  • Cathedral in the morning

    31. mai, Spania ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    Side door from the Cathedral usually used as one of the exits after the Service
    The Towers as seen from San Martin Pinario terrace

    This is what the Pilgrims' final steps are -
    The archway you pass under just before stepping into the final destination of the Camino is known as the Arco de Palacio (Palace Arch), also frequently referred to as the Arco de Xelmírez.
    This iconic stone tunnel-gate connects the northern Praza da Inmaculada (Azabachería) with the grand Plaza del Obradoiro. It passes directly underneath the Pazo de Xelmírez (Archbishop's Palace), which stands adjacent to the northern flank of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

    Key Details
    Location: It is a vaulted, tunnel-like passageway located between the northern side of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and the Hostal dos Reis Católicos (the Parador hotel). It directly connects the Plaza de la Azabachería (Praza da Inmaculada) to the grand Plaza de Obradoiro.
    The Pilgrim Experience: As the traditional entry point for pilgrims completing the Camino Francés (French Way), walking through this dark, stone tunnel acts as a dramatic reveal. Your vision opens up directly into the massive, sunlit expanse of the main square.
    The Bagpiper Tradition: The tunnel is famous for its exceptional acoustics. You will almost always find a traditional Galician bagpiper (gaiteiro) playing inside it, providing an emotional, echoey soundtrack for pilgrims taking their final steps to the cathedral
    Les mer

  • 12:00 noon Mass

    31. mai, Spania ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    We got into line for the mass and were able to get into Cathedral quite early, which allowed members of the group to do some fast touring inside before the Mass.
    Photos of Main Altar
    The high altar of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is a dazzling masterpiece of Baroque art constructed over the tomb of the Apostle Saint James. It is the focal point of the daily Pilgrim Mass and the endpoint of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.

    The Altar & Baldachin: The original 12th-century Romanesque altar was modernized with 36 gilded Solomonic pillars and a striking Baroque silver plinth. It features a large baldaquín (canopy) supported by angels and crowned by an equestrian statue of the Apostle.

    Statue of Saint James: At the center of the altar sits a 13th-century stone statue of Saint James dressed as a pilgrim. Pilgrims traditionally access this area via a staircase behind the altar to perform the historic ritual of the "embrace" of the Apostle.

    The Botafumeiro: Hanging from the central dome above the altar is the world-famous Botafumeiro, a massive silver censer that swings through the transept of the cathedral during special liturgical ceremonies.

    The En Chamade Pipes of Santiago Cathedral

    The Santiago Cathedral houses a majestic, double-faceted Baroque organ case. When looking at the organ structure, the most dramatic visual feature is the fan-like array of horizontal trumpets jutting out toward the congregation.

    Acoustic Power: By pointing horizontally into the nave, the sound travels directly to the congregation, making the tone intense, crisp, and commanding.

    The "Spanish Trumpet": This horizontal design originated in Spain and Portugal during the 16th and 17th centuries (originally called lengüetería or trompeta gallega/española), later adopted worldwide.

    Military Origins: The term chamade comes from a French military term for a drum beat or trumpet signal used to invite an enemy to a parley or surrender.

    And then she flew😁😁😁🙏🙏♥️♥️♥️👍
    Les mer

  • Streets of Santiago

    31. mai, Spania ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    Again, this is a day to play individual tourist so everyone is separated to do their own thing.
    I did some souvenir hunting, walked the streets of Old Town (doors, doors and more doors), had me some Gambas ala gabardina con Salsa Aioli tapas and Lemon Serveza at Os Croces Tapas Bar on Plaza Quintana and then finished it off with a double gelato in one of gelaterias.... but as you well understand taking a photo of that was quite impossible.
    Suffice to say that it was very yummy 😋

    Museum of Pilgrims' was unfortunately closed...and so was Ivar (who runs The Camino Forum)

    Rua Franco is almost as lively in the daytime as it's in the night

    Plaza Quintana in the day

    And Browns' pictures from their excursion to Alameda Park
    Les mer

  • Last dinner in Santiago

    31. mai, Spania ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    We are going tapas-style again
    Octopus Galician Style
    Fried Pedro peppers
    San Simeon titilla cheese
    Warm shrimp, calamari and fruit salad
    All washed down with a 1L of Red Sangria

    Marina enjoyed hake and grape juiceLes mer