Galicia
Spain – Costa Verde | Anno 2025
Praia das Catedrais
Praia das Catedrais
Praia de Augas Santas (Holy Water Beach), also known as Praia das Catedrais or Cathedral Beach
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Mondoñedo
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The 13th-century Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary combines Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles |
Both towers date from the 18th century
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Gothic rose window with a diameter of five meters (13th century)
Main altarpiece with Mary being assumed into heaven |
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Gothic organ with Spanish trumpets (horizontal organ pipes) |
Medieval wall painting – Saint Peter
Medieval wall painting – Massacre of the Innocents in Bethlehem
Sacristy |
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Shell motif in silver |
Signposts on the Camino de Santiago |
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Sewer cover with shell motif |
Camino de Santiago – Credentials for pilgrims on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback. Stamps at the end of the stages prove that the pilgrim has passed through them (Certificaciøn de paso). Finally, a stamp confirms the completion of the pilgrimage (Cumpliø la Peregrinaciøn)
A Coruña
A Coruña is called La Ciudad Cristal, the Glass City, because of the glass facades of the Marina Galleries
These iconic glass balconies protect the facades from rain and retain heat better in winter
The Marina Galleries were built in the last quarter of the 19th century
Praza de María Pita with the town hall of A Coruña
In 1589, María Pita played an important role in the defense of La Coruña against the English invasion fleet led by Sir Francis Drake |
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Santa María do Campo (late Romanesque, 12th century)
Santa María do Campo – Portal
Convent of Santa Bárbara (Clarious Sisters)
Santa Bárbara – Gothic relief with the Last Judgment (14th century) |
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Relief with Saint Catherine, Mary with Child and Saint Barbara |
Stolperstein of Leopoldo López Criado, who died in 1941 in Mauthausen |
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Praza Santo Domingo – Fountain |
The Torre de Hércules is the oldest lighthouse in the world still in use. It was originally built by the Romans in the 1st century AD
Antiga Prisión Provincial da Coruña, where executions took place during the civil war
Santiago de Compostella
Plaza del Obradoiro with the cathedral. It is said that a star (stella) remained above a field (campo) to point to the long-lost tomb of the apostle James. Thus, Santiago de Compostela became an important place of pilgrimage from 813 onwards
Baroque facade from the 18th century… |
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… with Saint James at the top and his disciples Arthanasius and Theodorus on the lower floor |
Tower da Carraca (left) and Bell Tower (right)
The Facade of the Silversmiths (1103 – 1117) is the only Romanesque facade that has been preserved
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Facade of the Silversmiths
Main altar with the statue of Saint James |
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According to tradition, the imposing botafumeiro (62 kg) was introduced in the 11th century to expel the unpleasant smell of tired, sweaty, unclean and sometimes even sick pilgrims with incense |
Main altar
The canopy above the main altar (17th century) is supported by angels. At the bottom, James is venerated by several kings; at the top, he appears on horseback as Santiago Matamoros – Saint James the Moor-slayer
Main altarpiece with image of Saint James |
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Santiago Matamoros – Saint James the Moor-slayer |
One of the two organs with Spanish trumpets (1710)
Long queue to visit the crypt |
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Crypt with the tomb of Saint James |
The stone choir of Master Mateo and his workshop (circa 1200) was replaced by a wooden one in 1603 and is now in the museum
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Works of art from the cathedral museum
Tapestry (Brussels, late 16th century)
Plaza del Obradoiro with Pazo de Raxoi (town hall)
Rectorate of the University
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Rectorate – Portal
Praza das Praterías with the Fonte dos Cabalos (Horse Fountain)
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Santiago de Compostella remains a hugely popular place of pilgrimage
Cabo Fisterra
Romanesque bridge of Bandomil (11th or 12th century) |
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Traditional granary (hόrreo). The round stones prevent rodents from getting access to the supplies |
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The most motivated pilgrims walk all the way to the end point of the Camino at Cabo Fisterra, more than 80 km west of Santiago de Compostela
They often leave a (worn) shoe behind there…
…or shells, photos and even a walking stick
Jaak Palmans
© 2025 | Version 2025-08-18 14:00