The Way of Saint James (Camiño de Santiago) to Fisterra-Muxía
Instead of finishing in Santiago de Compostela, the Way of Saint James to Fisterra-Muxía starts in the capital of Galicia.
Already in the Middle Ages, many pilgrims who had arrived in Santiago decided to continue their journey to the end of the known world. This last stage, following the Milky Way, had its final destination in Fisterra (the ancient Finis Terrae, The Land’s End).
From the 12th Century, the Codex Calixtinus establishes the relationship between this land and the tradition of Saint James. This Codex tells the story of Saint James’s disciples who travelled to Dugium (the present-day Fisterra) to get permission from a Roman Legate to bury the apostle Saint James in Compostela.
But Fisterra is not the only place with a connection to the tradition of Saint James. Muxía, with its breathtaking sanctuary da Barca, an authentic monument made of stone open to the ocean, also became a reference for pilgrims.
In the Middle Ages, it was widely believed that the Virgin Mary had come to this place on a boat made of stone to encourage the Apostle St. James to continue his preaching in the north-west of Spain.
Following the route from Santiago to Fisterra, you have to go to Negreira and then to Olveiroa. You’ll cross many typical villages and see beautiful landscapes until you arrive at your final destination, either at the sanctuary da Barca in Muxía or at Cape Fisterra.
This route is one of the most popular among the pilgrims who come to Galicia to do the Way of Saint James. Currently many pilgrims decide to start from Fisterra and finish in the Praza do Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela.
Already in the Middle Ages, many pilgrims who had arrived in Santiago decided to continue their journey to the end of the known world. This last stage, following the Milky Way, had its final destination in Fisterra (the ancient Finis Terrae, The Land’s End).
From the 12th Century, the Codex Calixtinus establishes the relationship between this land and the tradition of Saint James. This Codex tells the story of Saint James’s disciples who travelled to Dugium (the present-day Fisterra) to get permission from a Roman Legate to bury the apostle Saint James in Compostela.
But Fisterra is not the only place with a connection to the tradition of Saint James. Muxía, with its breathtaking sanctuary da Barca, an authentic monument made of stone open to the ocean, also became a reference for pilgrims.
In the Middle Ages, it was widely believed that the Virgin Mary had come to this place on a boat made of stone to encourage the Apostle St. James to continue his preaching in the north-west of Spain.
Following the route from Santiago to Fisterra, you have to go to Negreira and then to Olveiroa. You’ll cross many typical villages and see beautiful landscapes until you arrive at your final destination, either at the sanctuary da Barca in Muxía or at Cape Fisterra.
This route is one of the most popular among the pilgrims who come to Galicia to do the Way of Saint James. Currently many pilgrims decide to start from Fisterra and finish in the Praza do Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela.
