Santiago, situated in the north west corner of Spain in the province of A Coruna, is one of the three most famous Christian pilgrim destinations. For over a thousand years, people have been making the journey from all over Europe to visit the city of St. James since his mortal remains were brought in a stone boat from Palestine after his martyrdom in 44AD.

Myth, fact and legend are mingled together for the next 800 years or so, and when James was finally declared the patron saint of Spain, Compostela, or Santiago, then became the centre of Christian pilgrimage, especially as Jerusalem had been sized and there was political uncertainty in Rome at that time.

It was the ideal pilgrim site in those days, being far away from most of the rest of Europe and therefore required a great deal of hardship and endurance to get there. And remember, on arrival at Santiago, they then had to turn around and walk all the way home again. It was sufficiently dangerous with wolves, bandits, fever and sickness, difficult rivers and high passes to cross.

Times may have changed, but the spirit of achievement, fulfilment and adventure is still so evident in today’s ‘pilgrims’ as they enter the Plaza del Obradoiro, the Cathedral Square, whether starting their journey from Portomarin, St. Jean Pied de Port, or even further afield from every corner of Europe and beyond.