Spain
Real Basílica de Santa María la Mayor

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    • Day 7

      Day 7 - Saxamonde to Pontevedra

      July 3, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

      What a glorious day!

      After a wonderful evening and restful sleep we left with goals in our mind and dreams of being closer in our heart. We got away about 7:40 and were rocking a pretty good pace when we stopped for lunch at 11:00 am.

      On the way we saw many of our Camino friends and met many more. It’s great how they will pass us and we will greet each other and later on, we will pass them and greet each other.

      Today was one of the most beautiful days on the Camino as we went through many picture perfect locations and ate at a couple of scenic places. We will do so again tonight in the beautiful town center of Pontevedra, Spain.

      A very special part of the Camino Portugues is a picturesque babbling brook you can choose to walk along as opposed to the traditional route. It’s called the C. Complementario. It’s 1.3 km further, but why not. So we did. Absolutely well worth the extra kilometer. It was cool under the trees and walking next to the river for about an hour as we wound our way to Pontevedra. We even passed a special tree all roped off. See the pics. I don’t know why it was special, but we had to stop and look.

      We finally wound our way through Pontevedra into the old town past the beautiful Cathedral and other sights. We even got a pilgrim stamp in the Cathedral.

      After going into the Cathedral and saying a small prayer of thanks for such a wonderful day and that my feet held up, and praying they hold up until the Camino is complete, we continued on to our hostel for the night overlooking the old town.

      We look forward to tomorrow with great trust in God that we will complete that goal and each one thereafter until we reach Santiago. Your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated and our prayers are being answered.

      Until tomorrow,

      BUEN CAMINO!

      15.8 miles/ 41,000 steps
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    • Day 12

      Counting Our Steps

      October 27, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 55 °F

      I tossed and turned all night listening to a big thunderstorm that lasted for hours. Usually I can sleep through those things but with our experiences in the rain this past week, I was dreading waking up to find more rain expected. Luckily it seems the rain may have tired itself out a bit with last night’s performance and this morning was cloudy but not wet! We had a beautiful breakfast from our host’s mother- she made us a cake and pressed fresh orange juice and we ate with Viola and Giada from Italy who we seem to keep bumping into! Finally time to take off onto the way and even though my boots are wet and spongy and Rick had to superglue his soles to keep them together, we are marching on. We thoroughly enjoyed Pontevedra - would love to come back and relax. As we were leaving town and snapping pictures a kind gentleman motioned us into the big church we were photographing- it looked so overgrown and mossy that we were totally surprised it was open and grateful for the friend who saw us and invited us in- and we were in time for morning Mass! Such a good morning already and now receiving this blessing to carry us on our way was a bonus. We had entered the Real Basílica Menor de Santa María La Major which appears deserted from the outside because it is so old! The stonework was awe inspiring and the carved wood altarpiece was so beautiful. After Mass we hurried back to the road and today we completed 15 miles along a few miles of forest paths but mostly country lanes with vineyards and farmlands. There were still puddles but not anything like our previous days adventures! We did have one cloudburst but we had just approached St. Mary’s church in Alba and we ducked in and put all of our rain gear back on to prepare, but that blew over and we were fine! Rick insisted on keeping his gaiters on his legs so that the rain wouldn’t come back :) We walked with our friends Joseph and Mary (I didn’t make that up!) from north of San Francisco today and a mother and son from Croatia and several other people passed us including 4 young guys on bikes who circled us and shouted Buen Camino!!! You do start to get in a rhythm while you walk and you see some friends as you go in and out of the cafés. We are keeping our eyes peeled for the official Camino markers- so excited with our countdown- 2 more days! Some of the young girls we met and walked with early on Karolina (Poland) and Yvette (Germany), texted me this afternoon with the news that they had made it to Santiago, this accompanied with a joyful picture of them in front of the Cathedral. I can’t wait to arrive and feel that same joy and excitement and I’m even more determined tonight for our arrival. Our meal tonight in a little café was octopus (pulpo), chicken soup and shrimp croquettes- pretty fancy for pilgrims! And our friends from South Carolina, Dawn and Martha were there too- what are the chances?! After a plate of the locally famous Padrón peppers we took our leave because tomorrow means another hike! We are in Caldas de Reis for the night and will head over towards Padrón tomorrow.Read more

    • Day 11

      Basilika Santa Maria la Mayor

      May 23, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

      Die Basilika Santa María la Mayor ist eine der Perlen gotischer Architektur in Galicien.
      Es handelt sich um ein Beispiel für die gotischen Gebäude isabellinischer Prägung. Der Bau entstand im 16. Jahrhundert im Auftrag der Fischerei- Seefahrerinnung. Die Schöpfer waren Joao Noble und Cornelius de Holanda. 1962 wurde ihr von Papst Johannes XXIII. der Titel Basílica Menor verliehen. Die Westfassade, geschaffen von C. de Holanda, ist nach Art eines Altargemäldes gestaltet, dreigeteilt und reich dekoriert. An der Südfassade ragt ein gewaltiges Kreuzschiff hervor und das Portal öffnet sich unter einem Spitzbogen, mit steinernen Gewänden und barocker Dekoration. Das Innere ist in drei durch Säulen voneinander getrennte Schiffe aufgeteilt. Das Retabel des Hochaltars, aus Kastanien- und Nußbaumholz, wurde Ende des 19. / Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts von einem Tischler und Holzbildhauer aus Santiago geschaffen. Links von der Puerta Sur befindet sich die Skulptur Cristo del Buen Viaje, von dem die Gläubigen Schutz auf ihren Reisen erbetenRead more

    • Day 19

      Redondela to Pontevedra

      September 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

      Took a couple of unnecessary dtours today so ended up being around 25km, rather than the advertised 19k. As yesterday, a bit of a groundhog day Early start, well, early-ish start, a bit after 8, but still darkish because sunrise isn't until around 8:30. Foggy morning again and a nice but hilly walk through towns and a lot through forests - once again a lot of Eucalyptus.
      I have picked up a bit of a foot injury, according to Dr Google it's an extensor tendon (on top of the foot and up towards the ankle) strain. Had it now for a bit over 2 days. Hurts a bit early on then it's not too bad. Lynn is still going strong 👍.
      Pontevedra has a nice centre with a big square and narrow streets going off in every direction. We had a look around and said g'day to the Scottish fellas and a few others, probably for the last time. Went to the pilgrims Mass at 7:30 then had some dinner. There was actually too much choice so it took a while to find somewhere.
      Start the Espiritual Variante tomorrow
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    • Day 24

      Parador

      November 8, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

      If you have never experienced a Parador, you owe it to yourself to do it once in your life. We had walked from Redondela to Arcada. In the rain and wind. And no Arcadia - just pouring rain. Wet cold feet. So the Parador in Pontevedra was like arriving in heaven. Huge room, with sofa in antechamber, towels for a giant, canopy beds and a bathroom big enough in which to party. A late lunch of tempura calamari and lagostinos brocheta. Yum. Then to church.Read more

    • Day 10

      Jakobsweg Porto-Santiago de Compostela

      April 13, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

      Heute ging es bei trockenem
      Wetter 26 km von Pontevedra über Alba, San Amaro, Portela, Barro, und Tivo nach Caldas de Reis. Es war eine schöne Etappe die wir trotz viel Asphalt genießen konnten, denn es geht dem Ende zu. Die Kilometerangaben auf den Markierungssteinen werden immer weniger, das motiviert ungemein :-) Übernachtet haben wir in der Albuergue Timonell in einem sehr einfachen Doppelzimmer mit Etagenbad. Habe aber niemanden gesehen oder gehört, also war es unser Privatbad.Read more

    • Day 14

      Pontevedra

      September 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

      Pontevedra has one of the best preserved historic centres in Galicia. It was also declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1951. Beautiful squares, religious monuments, stately homes and mansions.

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Real Basílica de Santa María la Mayor, Real Basilica de Santa Maria la Mayor

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