10 Most Delicious Galician Dishes to try along the Camino If you’re planning your Camino de Santiago trip, it’s very likely that you’ll be visiting Galicia soon. One of the best parts about travelling is trying all the local dishes, especially if you’re a foodie. We’ve picked what we think are the 10 most delicious Galician dishes you absolutely must try on your Camino adventure. 1. Octopus The ultimate Galician traditional dish. You will find it referred to as ‘pulpo á feira’ (in Galician), ‘pulpo a la gallega’ (in Spanish) or simply ‘pulpo’. Boiled to a perfect point and served with paprika, salt, and olive oil, cooking octopus is an art in Galicia. It can’t be too hard or too mushy, it has to be just perfect. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the dish: a great ‘pulpeiro’ (someone who specialises in cooking octopus) is not that easy to come by! If you are walking the Camino Frances via Melide, you should stop at A Garnacha for a taste of delicious octopus. Many pilgrims have recommended it to us. 2. Padrón peppers The little green peppers from Padrón are quite unique and should be eaten in the right season (Summer). Simply fried and sprinkled with rock salt, they are the food equivalent of the Russian roulette. The Galician expression goes: ‘Pementos de Padrón; uns pican e outros non’ (some of them are hot and some of them are not). And it is so true: they are mostly perfectly sweet little peppers, but there is always the odd one as hot as a chili. Many people have different theories to guess which ones are going to be spicy: is it the ones with the pointy end? would it be the smaller ones? or the larger pepper? the truth is nobody knows but it is all part of the fun. 3. Empanada Galicians would eat anything in empanada… these savoury pastries or pies come in many fillings and shapes but the most popular ones are filled, of course, with seafood or fish. Cod (bacalao/bacallao), mussels (mejillones/mexillóns) and tuna (bonito) are some of the most popular empanadas. The quality of your empanada will depend on the bakers, the type of pastry, the quality of the filling… but they are all delicious. 4. Caldo Galego Beware, vegetarians! Caldo galego (Galician broth) might look like a harmless veggie-friendly dish with its cabbage, green leaves and beans but it tends to be ‘seasoned’ with pork lard and sometimes with other types of pork meat. Caldo is a hearty, homely Galician dish, cooked in every home, especially in wintertime. 5. Squid: all sizes and shapes! Crispy squid rings (calamares or luras in Galician) and baby squid (chipirones) are cooked in a light batter and simply eaten with a sprinkle of lemon juice. Hot or cold, they are one of the most delicious snacks. 6. Queixo de Tetilla Cheese lovers might not be familiar with Galician cheese, mainly softer, mildly cured cow cheeses, usually eaten with quince jelly as a dessert. Galicia’s most characteristic and unique looking cheese is called ‘queixo de tetilla’ (meaning ‘little breast’) for its pointy shape. On your way to Santiago, along the Camino Frances, you will pass Arzúa, famous for its pointy ‘tetilla’ cheese. 7. Shellfish Galicia is considered to be the shellfish and fish capital of Spain: clams, mussels, cockles, lobsters, prawns, crab or the extravagant gooseneck barnacles, tuna from Burela, hake, monkfish, sardines… the variety of seafood found in fish shops and restaurants in Galicia is impressive, seasonal and of premium quality. Go for a stroll to the Market in Santiago and you will understand...

5 Special Places To Experience The Camino at Easter Easter or Holy Week as it’s also known is widely celebrated across Spain, with many cities and towns along the Camino de Santiago hosting impressive processions. There’s a huge variety of different places to experience the Camino at Easter. Whether you want to celebrate by the coast or in one of the more well-known spots, or even in the most traditional, there’s so much choice. Here are 5 special places to experience the Camino at Easter and discover unique centuries-old Easter traditions. 1. Ferrol on The Camino Ingles Most towns and cities in Galicia celebrate Holy Week and Ferrol hosts one of the most traditional and spectacular Easter events. The port city of Ferrol is the starting point of the Camino Ingles, a Camino de Santiago route traditionally followed by pilgrims from Britain and Ireland. Easter would be the perfect time of the year to start the English Camino in Ferrol, experiencing the city’s most important event of the year and then walking to Santiago de Compostela, where there are also colourful Easter processions all week. You can walk from Ferrol to Santiago in just one week. 2. Santiago de Compostela As the capital of Galicia and the destination point of the Camino de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela also hosts its own Holy Week processions, with religious imagery hitting the streets for locals and visitors to admire in the beautiful setting of Santiago’s Old Town. 3. Lugo on The Camino Primitivo Another city on our list for a very special Easter week is Lugo, which is the starting point for the Camino Primitivo, the oldest of the Camino routes. Holy Week parades in Lugo take place in the old town, nestled within the city’s famous Roman wall, the best-preserved Roman wall in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 4. Fisterra on The Camino Finisterre For an Easter celebration with a maritime feel, you should head to Fisterra and experience Holy Week in the heart of the Costa da Morte. The focal point of celebrations is the Church of Santa María das Areas and the Saint Christ of Fisterra, popularly known by the locals as ‘The Golden Beard Christ’. Locals also reenact some of the scenes of the Passion as part of the week’s proceedings on the Camino Finisterre. 5. Sevilla on The Vía de la Plata Easter, along with the colourful Feria de Abril, is the most important and unique festival of the year in this stunning city. Processions and floats with religious sculptures representing the Passion of Christ, called ‘pasos’, parade around the streets. The most dramatic ‘pasos’ are on display for Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Seville’s Easter celebrations are renowned around the world and it’s by far the most impressive and Holy Week location in Spain. Also along the Vía de la Plata route, the cities of Salamanca and Zamora host important Holy Week processions. For more information about the Camino at Easter or to book your trip,

Experience Holy Week in Italy – Unmissable Easter Events in Rome Are you planning to finish your Via Francigena walk in Rome over Easter? Holy Week is one of the most important weeks in the Catholic calendar, so this is a special time to spend a few days in Italy’s capital. If you find yourself in Rome during Easter, we’ve compiled a list of some of the ceremonies and celebrations you can attend. Don’t forget to also visit some of the city’s fantastic historic attractions too, especially the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the incredible Sistene Chapel. Holy Thursday Holy Thursday falls on April 14th this year. The Pope is giving a morning mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica from 9:30 am. Tickets are required for this event (they are free, but you need to book ahead, the sooner the better). Later in the day, there is a Holy Thursday mass in the Basilica of Saint John Leteran. Today might be a good day to visit the Pantheon in Rome and enjoy a coffee in one of the city’s beautiful squares. The Via Crucis on Good Friday April 15th is the date for Good Friday this year. Today is one of the most important days during Holy Week and the Pope will lead a ritual procession called the Via Crucis or Stations of the Cross. This ceremonial parade commemorates the events of the passion of Christ from station to station. It takes place between the dramatic settings of the historic Colosseum and the Temple of Venus. At each station, the Pope reads a meditation in various languages. Thousands of spectators will gather to watch the events. You do not need a ticket but you should get there as early as possible to see the procession. The official ceremony usually starts at 9 pm. Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Square Easter Sunday is the most important day of the Holy Week celebrations. This year, Easter Sunday is taking place on April 17th. There is a special Papal Mass at 10 am (tickets are required and you should book as soon as possible). No tickets are required for the second service, also taking place in St. Peter’s Square. The papal address will take place at noon and the Pope will be providing a message and a blessing called the Urbi et Orbi. This means ‘To the City and the World’. This is a wonderful event and is usually performed from the balcony of St. Peter’s Square. To finish off your short stay in Rome, don’t miss the fireworks display that closes Easter week on Monday at the Castel Sant’ Angelo. All of the tickets for the above mass services are free but some need to be booked in advance. For more details on booking tickets for the Holy Mass or the calendar of events, you can visit the official Vatican website or the Papal Audience website. For more information about the Via Francigena, walking the last 100km to Rome or any of our walking and cycling routes, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Walk From Ireland to Santiago Along The Celtic Camino In olden times, Camino pilgrims would begin their journey as soon as they left their homes, which is why there are various different Camino routes crossing most of Europe. One of these routes was the Camino Ingles. The Camino Ingles is the route traditionally favoured by British and Irish pilgrims, as well as others coming from Northern Europe. These pilgrims would take a boat from the main ports in their countries and dock in the north of Spain, ready to continue their journey to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. There are two main starting points for the Camino Ingles in Galicia: Ferrol and A Coruña. Just like with all other routes, pilgrims must complete at least the last 100kms of the Camino Ingles in order to receive their Compostela pilgrim certificate in Santiago. The Camino From A Coruña While A Coruña is one of the traditional starting points on this route, the actual walking trail in Spain is only 75km away from Santiago. This means that pilgrims walking from A Coruña will not be entitled to a Compostela certificate in Santiago. However, all is not lost as Camino Society Ireland has worked to define authentic pilgrim routes within Ireland, known as the Celtic Camino. Once you complete 25km on the Celtic Camino prior to starting your walk in Spain, you can get the Irish ‘Compostela’ from St James’ Church in Dublin. This certificate can then be used by pilgrims to complete the journey from A Coruña to Santiago and request their Compostela in Santiago. The Celtic Camino We have a self-guided tour on the Camino Ingles for those looking to experience all the Celtic Camino has to offer. Over 4 days, you will walk from A Coruña to Santiago, passing the ancient bridge of As Cascas, the hermitage of San Paio, Bruma, Ordes and Sigüeiro. For more information about the itinerary and to book your own trip, read about our Celtic Camino tour. If you are looking to start your journey in Ireland, we highly recommend the Kerry Camino trail from Tralee to St James’ Chuch in Dingle. The beauty of the west of Ireland is incomparable, especially if you’re lucky enough to walk on a sunny day! You can find a list of suggested walks in Ireland on the Camino Society website. If you are a pilgrim from the UK you’ll be delighted to know it is now also possible to get your Compostela certificate from A Coruña if you complete 25kms of the St Michael’s Way, Way of St Andrews or Pilgrims Way to Canterbury, you can find details here or on the Confraternity of St James website. Now of course, if getting the certificate doesn’t matter to you, you can simply begin your walk at A Coruña and just happily walk the 75km route anyway! For more information about the Celtic Camino, starting your Camino journey from Ireland or A Coruña, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Buen Camino!

Love Is In The Air: The Most Romantic Camino Spots While romance may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about the Camino de Santiago, it might surprise you to learn that there are quite a number of romantic Camino spots and that this walking trail can actually be quite a swoon-worthy place! In fact, many pilgrims have celebrated wedding anniversaries and honeymoons on the Camino, while others have gotten engaged. Some have even been lucky enough to find love on the Camino. Since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and in honour of all the Camino love birds out there, we have picked some of the most romantic Camino spots for you to peruse and possibly plan a romantic getaway of your own! Cape Fisterra Nothing says love like going to the end of the world for that special someone, literally. Fisterra was once believed to be the very end of the world and that’s actually where it got its name: Fisterra means land’s end! It was also here at the ‘End of the World’ that ancient communities believed the Land of the Living touched the Land of the Death and that when the sun sets over the Atlantic, the veil between the living and the dead disappeared. Superstitions aside, the sunset here is pretty spectacular and a lovely place for a romantic stroll and maybe a makeshift picnic with a glass of vino? Val D’Orcia Nothing quite says romance like the rolling hills of Tuscany in Italy. The breathtaking Val d’Orcia inspired many Renaissance artists and it’s not difficult to see why. The pastoral landscape is dotted with historic bridges, shrines, towns and villages and is an unmissable stop on the Via Francigena. The peace and tranquility found in this UNESCO recognised region makes it the perfect place to escape from all the trials and tribulations of life. It also inspires its visitors to better appreciate the natural world. Close to Siena, another very romantic city, a visit to the Val d’Orcia should be on every lovebird’s bucket list. Cathedral Beach Cathedral Beach is an awe-inspiring formation in Galicia in northern Spain, just outside the town of Ribadeo. It was formed by the sea over the centuries, sculpting elaborate caves and now-iconic arches. A truly natural work of art, Cathedral Beach is not right on the Camino route, but it is an absolute must-see if you are walking the Camino del Norte and staying in the town of Ribadeo. The beach is also a popular spot for wedding photographs among local couples so you might encounter a bride or two in all their finery! Due to the popularity of this beach and for its own protection, you need to buy tickets to visit it ahead of time. These can be purchased on the official Xunta de Galicia page. Coimbra Considered to be the medieval capital of Portugal, Coimbra is located on the Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Santiago and is famous for its UNESCO-listed university and quaint cobbled streets. Coimbra was also the spot where noble Ines de Castro and King Pedro of Portugal lived their forbidden love story against the wills of their powerful families back in the 14th century. Ines would be crowned queen by Pedro after her death. Ines and Pedro are Portugal’s Romeo and Juliet and their story is one of undying love! With this in mind,

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we are in a truly loved-up mood here at CaminoWays. We hear from people who walked the Camino with a loved one every year and we would love to hear your Camino love story. Have you walked the trails with a loved one or maybe you’ve met someone special on the route? Some decide to walk the Camino for a memorable wedding anniversary, others have found love while out on the trails. Love on the Camino has even inspired authors like Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist who wrote a book together after walking the Camino. We interviewed Graeme and Anne about their collaboration in Two Steps Forward. After walking their first Camino together on the Cluny Way, the idea for the book was planted and by the time they’d completed their second Camino, the vision was clear. For them, writing the book was like reliving their holidays. Using their itinerary on the Camino as a map for the book, readers get to know the characters of Zoe and Martin who meet on the trail. These star-crossed lovers come from very different backgrounds, but find their spiritual journeys collide with a little romantic comedy along the way. Another romantic story we’ve been delighted to be part of was when Ruben embarked on a Camino adventure with his wife Jennifer for their wedding anniversary. The happy pair loved the friendly atmosphere and hand-made ice cream in Baiona. Opting to stay in the Parador as a treat, they loved looking out at the sea in the evening. They recalled mixed emotions at the end of their journey, both grateful to finish the physical challenge but also a longing to continue the moments they shared along the way. It gave them time to reflect on life and find a lot of common ground. I think it’s safe to say we will see Ruben and Jennifer out on the trails together again soon. Now for my own romantic Camino love story. I had a little adventure not so long ago during my very own romantic Camino trip and because of this, Santiago de Compostela will always have a special place in my heart. Although travel is part of my professional life, my partner is not a very keen walker, but he loved it as much as me and little did I know, he had a special proposal planned for the end of our journey. I said yes of course! We know that each Camino love story is unique. If you and your loved one met on the Camino, celebrated an anniversary on the Camino or simply spent time out on the Camino together, we would love to hear your stories. You can send them to us at [email protected] and we will happily share them with the Camino community on our website and social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter). Maybe you’ll even inspire someone’s proposal! For more information about the Camino de Santiago, our routes and experiences, please visit our route page and blog. If you have any questions or would like some help planning your very own romantic getaway, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Buen Camino!

Camino Love Story – Engaged On The Camino Portugues My hands are covering my face as I stand outside Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in shock as tears drop into my palms. “I’m still down here, what do you say?”. These were the words from my best friend on bended knee in the main square. “Yes, yes, yes. Of course yes” I manage to whisper struggling to pull myself together. I pride myself on my ability to predict future occurrences but this moment completely caught me off guard. We were just finishing our journey along the Camino Portugues Coastal alongside groups of delighted walkers when this special moment occurred and little did I know this was going to be the start of another epic journey. The setting for this Camino love story couldn’t have been more perfect. Santiago is an extra special town that radiates positivity. At the finishing point of the Camino de Santiago, every person you meet is bursting with enthusiasm for life. If there was ever a time and place to propose this was it and he did it. Seven Days Earlier… When we arrived in the seaside town of Baiona, our excitement masked any tiredness from travelling. After quickly freshening up, we head out to explore the sunny coastal village. Lucky for us this town is packed with tasty seafood and amazing sea views. This first day of our Camino trip set the tone for the week. We decided to use our time to relax, reflect and enjoy every minute. I had been keeping a close eye on the weather before our trip and we were a little worried as the forecast was for grey skies and rain, but as soon as we arrived in Baiona the sun came out to greet us – it was time for the beach. Spending a few hours strolling along the harbour we decided to walk around the fortress walls. With little beaches dotted all around the wall, it would have been sinful not to have a dip so we dived into the cold Atlantic – start as we mean to go on was our attitude. In the evening, I was in a rush to try out the famous Pulpo of Galicia in the closest restaurant. Pulpo looks similar to fried chicken and it is commonly sprinkled with paprika. I don’t know if we got a bad batch but it wasn’t for our taste and we quickly moved on to some Cerveza and pinchos. A cold beer with some tapas was the perfect way to end our first day! Bright and early on our first day of walking, we set off to Vigo. We followed a winding road out of Baiona that gave us spectacular views of the coast. This is a long day of walking so be sure to stock up on plenty of snacks and water, but the views are worth every step. Keep a close eye out for the beautiful wildflowers along this section. If you don’t see them you are sure to smell them. The smell of the sea, mixed with vineyards, wildflowers and lemon orchards was one of the most memorable features of the whole journey. We arrived in the metropolitan coastal city of Vigo in the late afternoon. I was too excited to have a rest so I grabbed my camera and took a stroll to the harbour. Afterward, we found a cosy bar and finished our day with a few well-deserved beers. From Vigo, we meandered narrow roads towards Redondela, sore feet and blisters signalling our tired bodies. The short walks through tiny villages seemed longer and the trails through forests seemed to go on forever, but every corner had its beauty and it wasn’t long until we stumbled upon a wonderful taperia called Vila Rosa. Once we had filled our growling stomachs with croquetas de Jamon and fresh calamari, we looked forward to a good night of sleep. On day 4 we ordered two cafes con leche (with milk) and two gi...

A Short Trip To Galicia’s Picture Perfect Cies Islands When planning our trip to Galicia, my friends and I were unsure whether to bring our rain gear or our sun cream! As the forecast promised sunny and warm days, we thought of going to the beach to get that last taste of summer (yes, even at the end of October) before hitting the road to Santiago. So, together with the necessary gear for cycling, we packed bikinis, sun cream, a hat and sunglasses. We decided to embrace the sun and head off to the tropical paradise of Galicia: the Cies Islands. The Cies Islands are an archipelago made of three small islands – Monte Agudo, O Faro and San Martiño – located off the northwest coast of Spain. These islands are known for their unique landscapes, crystalline water, flora and wildlife. Part of the Atlantic Islands National Park, the environment of the Cies Islands is protected.  To avoid any contamination, there are no waste bins on the island so if you visit and bring your own food/drinks, please do make sure to bring your litter away with you. Also, in order to control visits to the islands and to prevent too much disruption to the environment, visitors are required to provide their ID or passport at the time of booking. Visits are kept to a limited number, especially during the summer so it’s advised you book ahead. As mentioned, the crystalline water and the green flora make this archipelago one of the most amazing places in Europe. The Romans were definitively on to something when they called them ‘The Islands of the Gods’. As well as the lush flora, it’s also possible to visit a pre-Roman settlement, take part in bird watching and visit local lighthouses. There are four walking trails on the island: * Monte Faro Route: one of the longest routes and the most popular * Porta Lighthouse Route: less travelled route than others, but with a view of the islands closer to the sea * Monteagudo Route: ideal for visiting the bird observatory overlooking the ocean * Alto do Principe Route: the shortest and easiest trail, boasting superb scenery As we were quite short on time and wanted to make the most of our visit, we decided to take the shortest path. Needless to say, once we arrived at the top of our trail, the view was just breathtaking. We sat and took in the steep and deep cliffs, wind-shaped rocks and bushes overlooking the southern part of the archipelago. The fresh breeze combined with the glorious sunshine, lush colours and the sound of waves crashing on the rocky shores made this the undisputed highlight of our visit. On our descent from the trail, we stopped at one of the nicest beaches on the islands, A Praia das Figueiras. This beach is well known for being a nudist paradise, don’t be too surprised if you see some unclothed bathers if you visit! How To Get To The Cies Islands Getting to the Cies Islands is very easy. You simply take the ferry from Vigo port or Baoina (summer only). In peak season, the journey costs approximately €20 return and the ferry journey is 45-50 minutes. During off-peak season, tickets are €15. You can book your visit up to 45 days in advance and it can be cancelled up to 15 days before your visit. To book your tickets, you must first request authorisation and then you will have 2 hours to reserve your spot. For more information and to book your tickets, visit the islands’ official website. If you are walking the Portuguese coastal route, I would definitely recommend spending an extra night in Vigo in order to pay a visit to this amazing earthly heaven! For more information about the Camino Portugues, the Cies Islands or to book your Camino trip,

What is the Botafumeiro and when can I see it? The ‘Botafumeiro’ is the famous giant thurible or censer in the Santiago de Compostela cathedral. A ‘Botafumeiro’ has been used since the Middle Ages, originally to clean the air when crowds of pilgrims having completed the Camino de Santiago arrived in Santiago de Compostela after their long journey. The Codex Calixtinus, the first Camino de Santiago ‘guide-book’, refers to the ‘Botafumeiro’ as Turibulum Magnum, which means this ritual has been taking place at least since the 12th century. The current ‘Botafumeiro’ dates back to 1851 and it’s made of silver-plated brass, weighing 53kgs when empty and up to 10 kgs more when full. Eight men, called ‘tiraboleiros’, are required to operate the ‘Botafumeiro’. After being filled with incense and coal by the ‘tiraboleiros’, the 1,5mtr-high ‘Botafumeiro’ is tied to a rope hanging by the altar and set in motion with great precision, forming an impressive 65-meter long arched trajectory along the cathedral. In only a minute and a half, the ‘Botafumeiro’ reaches 68km per hour. The ‘Botafumeiro’ is generally used on special dates throughout the year for important liturgical celebrations such as Christmas Day and Saint James Day. When to see the Botafumeiro in 2022, here’s the calendar: * 6th January: Epiphany * Easter Sunday * Ascension of Our Lord (May) * 23rd May: Apparition of the Apostle * Pentecost Sunday (50 days after Easter) * 25th July: Feast of Saint James * 15th August: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin * 1st November: All Saints’ Day * Feast of Christ the King (Sunday before the first Sunday of Advent in November) * 8th December: Immaculate Conception * 25th December: Christmas Day * 30th December: Arrival of the Holy Apostle For the latest updates and any changes, visit the official website. The Botafumeiro can also be requested and booked by individuals (you will need to check with the cathedral for fees). Requests should be addressed to the Pilgrims Office: Oficina de Acogida de Peregrinos, Rúa Carretas, 33, CP 15705, Santiago de Compostela Tel: (+34) 981 568 846. [email protected] – www.peregrinossantiago.es Description of the Botafumeiro The Botafumeiro is suspended from a pulley mechanism in the dome on the roof of the church. The current pulley mechanism was installed in 1604. The present Botafumeiro is made of an alloy of brass and bronze and is plated by a very thin 20-micrometre layer of silver. The current Botafumeiro was created by the gold and silversmith José Losada in 1851. It has a golden sheen. The Santiago de Compostela Botafumeiro is one of the largest censers in the world, weighing 80 kg and measuring 1.60 m in height. It is normally on exhibition in the library of the cathedral, but during certain important religious occasions, it is brought to the floor of the cathedral and attached to ropes hung from the pulley mechanism. There is another large thurible used in the other masses carried out in the cathedral, called “La Alcachofa” (literally, “The Artichoke”) or “La Repollo” (literally, “The Cabbage”). La Alcachofa is a silver-colored metal censer. It was created in 1971 by the sacred art artisans working under the craftsman Luis Molina Acedo. The ropes typically last about 20 years before they h...

Halloween is right around the corner so it’s no surprise that we’re getting into the spooky spirit. Whether you’re a fan of ghosts and ghouls or just a little bit superstitious, you can add some ghostly fun to your walk with these 7 spooky Camino facts! As we know, the Camino de Santiago takes walkers to Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia, a land rich in folklore, colourful legends, and frightening spirits. Many also believe witches still exist in Galicia, living in disguise and blending in with the general population. With Halloween, and All Saints Day just around the corner, this is the perfect time of year to unleash your inner ghoul! Spooky Fact 1: The Coast of Death The Costa da Morte, on Galicia’s Atlantic coast, stretches from Fisterra to Malpica. English seamen in the XIV century frequently referred to this land as the Coast of Death, as it was known to be a black spot for shipwrecks, due to its difficult and dangerous geography. But even before English seamen encountered trouble along this coast, Fisterra was considered to be the end of the world and a very special place by the Romans and pagans and pre-Christian cultures. It was here where the sun disappeared under the sea, connecting the world of the living and the land of the dead and their spirits. Along the Finisterre Way, you will also find many oscillating stones (pedras de abalar), said to predict tragedies. Spooky Fact 2: Square of the Dead & The Pilgrim Ghost In Santiago de Compostela, you will find the imposing Quintana square at the back of Santiago’s cathedral, which is said to have ‘invisible’ residents. The square is divided in two by a set of stairs: the upper part of the square is called Quintana dos Vivos (Quintana of the Living), while the lower part of the square is the Quintana dos Mortos (Quintana of the Dead), as it was used as a burial ground until 1780. The shadow of a pilgrim is said to appear in a corner of the square every night. Spooky Fact 3: Bonaval Park After 1780, the burial ground for the city of Santiago was moved to San Domingos de Bonaval. Today, many people visit Bonaval Park, which boasts stunning views of the city, to relax and spend time with friends and family. The park, which was opened in 1994, is located right next to a convent and sits on the old cemetery grounds. Spooky Fact 4: Crossroads While in Galicia, you must be careful not to bump into the Santa Compaña, a procession of dead souls feared by many. This very unique procession of restless souls wanders about after midnight, particularly favouring crossroads in country lanes (corredoiras in Galician). The lonely souls are particularly active on special nights like Halloween and Mid-Summer. If you are unlucky enough to cross paths with this terrifying bunch, quickly draw a circle on the ground and step inside it. This should protect you from being taken away by the group. If they happen to offer you a candle, do not (really, do not) accept it, unless you want to forever wander Galicia’s country lanes. Spooky Fact 5: Stone crosses Due to the fear of the Santa Compaña, many ‘cruceiros’ (stone crosses) are strategically placed at crossroads all over Galicia’s countryside. Now you know their real purpose: they will help you escape the recruitment efforts of the Santa Compaña, particularly at this time of the year! Spooky Fact 6: Soul Pockets (Petos de Animas) Petos de ánimas (soul pockets) are frequently found at country crossroad...