Discover the 5 magical places on the Camino de Santiago
The Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route is a unique experience. Spirituality, fellowship between pilgrims, walking from place to place, the feeling of being welcome. There are many factors that make a Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage an unforgettable experience. The places you encounter along the way certainly contribute to this. Because during your Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, you will pass through some of Spain’s most beautiful cities and places of historical wealth. In this blog, we will introduce you to 5 magical places along the Camino Frances.
Alto del Perdon in Navarra
We start with a magical place at altitude on your Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage route. To be precise, at an altitude of 770 metres, ‘donde se cruza el camino del viento con las estrellas’. Or ‘where the path of the camino the wind meets the stars’. This magical place has El Alto del Perdón. And is located in Navarre.
It is a mythical place for anyone walking the Camino Frances. On top of Alto del Perdon, you will find one of the most popular monuments in tribute to the pilgrims who pass by: the ‘Monument to the Pilgrim’ by Vicente Galbete, which represents walkers from all eras.
But the Alto del Perdón was always a magical point on the Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage route. A small church was located here until the 19th century. Pilgrims passing here were forgiven their sins if death overtook them before they reached Santiago.
Monastery of San Antón in Castrojeriz
The Monastery of San Antón, 2 kilometres before Castrojeriz, is a really special place on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. The Antonian Brothers founded it in the 12th century. It had a church, a hospedería that also served as a hospital for pilgrims and an associated cemetery. Now you can only see the ruins there. But you still feel the special sense of welcome and hospitality there. Since 2002, the remains of these facilities have been converted into a modest shelter with a bed for the night, a shower, a plate of food and, above all, lots of love and affection.
It is undoubtedly a must to stop here during your Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage route, or if you get the chance, to stay overnight.
Cruz de Ferro in Foncebadón
Cruz de Ferro, which literally means Iron Cross, is the highest point of the Camino Frances and the one with the greatest symbolism. Located just two kilometres from Foncebadón, on this hill you will find the largest living statue in Spain and Europe. It consists of an accumulation of stones brought by pilgrims from all over the world. An iron cross was placed at the top to show pilgrims the way in winter, when the Camino itself was covered in snow.
It is a mythical spot on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, as many pilgrims adhere to a ritual: leaving a stone from where they came from or taken along the way, so that this stone remains part of the Camino de Santiago forever. The Cruz de Fierro is a place where the dreams, promises, illusions, feelings and even problems of the millions of pilgrims who have come here over the centuries remain.
And is therefore a special, spiritual and magical place on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route.
Monte do Gozo in Santiago
The emotion of reaching the Plaza del Obradoiro and completing the Camino de Santiago is unique. But if there is one place where the feeling is almost overwhelming, it is Monte do Gozo. After all, from here you can see Santiago de Compostela and the cathedral towers for the first time. Monte Gozo owes its name to this feeling of happiness that pilgrims feel when they arrive here after their long journey on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route.
Finisterre
The magic of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route does not end in Santiago de Compostela. Since time immemorial, many pilgrims have decided to continue their pilgrimage and walk on to one of the most magical places on earth: the Finisterre or ‘End of the World’.
The Camino to Finisterre is an ancient route dating back to prehistoric times. Originated from the tradition of walking west, following the movement of the sun, to explore the limits of the known world. Finisterre is one of those magical places where you see the sun setting in the ocean, a very magically atmosphere. Anyway, Finisterre is a place full of traditions and myths. Here, in the past, pilgrims had to adhere to three rituals:
- Purification, with a dip in the sea;
- Getting rid of something material: many pilgrims did this by burning their clothes. Nowadays, due to the danger of forest fires, this is no longer allowed;
- Resurrection: reflecting on the spectacular sunset on the cliffs of Cape Finisterre.
There are many more magical places on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. For example, think of O Cebreiro and its church of Santa María la Real, San Juan de Ortega and its monastery or the mystery of Santa María de Eunate. Above all, go and discover it yourself and see all this magical places with your own eyes. It is much more beautiful than we can describe in words.
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