St. James, the Greater

Back Where We Started.

Besides shopping today for a few things, (weight was no longer an issue) we had some time before our bus to Porto to take the guided tour of the Cathedral that included climbing the steps in one of the towers.

Spoiler alert. Another WOW moment coming!

As part of the price for the tour we were also able to visit the museum with many stone carvings, relief’s and paintings brought inside to avoid any further damage. It was interesting to see how the weather had worn them, even the granite carvings. Being a UNESCO site now, the Cathedral and all appurtenances, and the Old Town are well preserved.

So, onto the tour. Unfortunately for us they only offered it in Spanish. I was able to understand some of it, but once we started moving I became more involved in looking at a building that had been in place for 1,000 years. I can’t imagine how they carved the stones and then lifted them some 260 feet in the air. But they did.

After climbing for a little bit we came outside and found ourselves on the roof of the Cathedral. The view was breathtaking as was the height. We didn’t walk around the roof with rails, etc. We walked ON the roof. Over one side and onto the other. It was a tad scary. You wouldn’t roll off, but a slip would still hurt. The roof was made of huge granite blocks. Obviously not original, but their weight alone makes you wonder what kind of massive support system is required.

After our tour of the roof with the panoramic views of Santiago de Compostela, we went back to climbing. This time we climbed to a point walking outside the roof where we could actually see the service going on down below. And we were high enough to be above the gold leaf artwork above the altar. We were looking down on the statue of St. James as the Slayer with his sword riding his white horse.

Back to climbing. Our final climb took us to as high as you could go in the bell tower. Close to 260 feet. We were actually higher than the statute of St. James you see way up high when you are facing the front of the Cathedral. I guess it’s safe to be up there, but my palms were still sweating.

Overall, it was scary, but an incredible experience. On the way down, I missed a step, but caught myself with only a scratched knee and a sprained middle finger. No Telemed call necessary. It is a little harder to make a fist. My middle finger wants to stay straight. It probably took a good 5 or so minutes to go down, down, down all the steps we climbed. When you do them incrementally and stop on the roof, overlooking the altar and the top of the bell tower, you don’t realize how many steps up you have taken.

Enjoy the pictures. If you have a fear of heights, I wouldn’t recommend looking. I still get the heebie geebies.

We finished the day with a bus trip to Porto and the same hostel and room back where we started 12 days ago. We are exhausted, but fulfilled. We were blessed to take this trip and walk the Camino. The weather, food, albergues and people were all exceptional.

Who wants to do it with me next time!?!

0 miles and a whole lotta stairs.Read more