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St James Day in Santiago

MikeC

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Cycled SJPP to SDC September 2016
Starting Camino Ingles June 2018
My wife and I plan to be in Santiago for four days spanning the Feast Day. Are there any special events and Cathedral services to be celebrated and enjoyed?
What should not be missed?
We had hoped to arrive as pilgrims but medical issues have turned us into tourists this time; perhaps next year instead.
Best wishes and Buen Camino to all of you on the way to Santiago.
Mike
 
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Hi Mike,

Just be sure that you have a reservation - Santiago will be full, fuller, fullest those dates ;-)

I am curious myself how it will be and yes, there is a special service at the cathedral, but spaces might be limited, and security extra high, lots of dignitaries and members of the royal family coming.

Buen Camino de la Vida, SY
 
My wife and I plan to be in Santiago for four days spanning the Feast Day. Are there any special events and Cathedral services to be celebrated and enjoyed?
What should not be missed?
We had hoped to arrive as pilgrims but medical issues have turned us into tourists this time; perhaps next year instead.
Best wishes and Buen Camino to all of you on the way to Santiago.
Mike
Hi Mike, as stated you will need room reservations.
Wish you well and enjoy,Peter.
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Many thanks SY and Peter,
We do have a hotel booked for five nights so that should give us lots of time to explore and enjoy Santiago.
I was here for a few days at the end of my pilgrimage last year, but I found myself unsettled and 'not of the real world', so I did not do the city justice.
Hope to do better this time
Mike
 
For reference, the HUGE fireworks display always starts shortly before midnight on the 24th July, going into the 25th. The fireworks are shot off in Plaza Quintana, immediately behind the Cathedral. The police stop people entering the Plaza de Obradoiro earlier in the day, as the maximum capacity is reached fairly quickly. Streets surrounding the plaza are usually blocked off, and you will have to walk around the plaza.

If you do not know your way around Santiago, get a free map at the Tourist Information located at #62 Rua do Vilar. (I think I got the number right), just before Plaza Toural.

If you want to view the fireworks, my advice is to go into Alemeda Park. There is a walking path that provides the best viewed of old Santiago and of the Cathedral. Also, there is always huge carnival in the park, so there will be lots of other folks around. MIND YOUR VALUABLES!

Others have already told you about the need for IRONCLAD reservations. There is literally no room at the inn if you show up in Santiago with no reservation. Every year, we direct arriving pilgrims to the bus to take them some four km, backward on the Camino Frances, the large municipal albergue at Monte de Goia.

Also, throughout the day on the 24th and 25th, there will be a variety of cannon salutes for the Saint and for visiting dignitaries, such as a the King. The Spanish military fire blank ceremonial rounds from several howitzers on a football (soccer) pitch about a kilometer from the Cathedral.

My European friends sometimes get very anxious when they hear the artillery fire. I look at my watch and reassure them that it is the cannons tolling the hour instead of the Cathedral bells, or a salute for the King, Sanitago, or someone else. If you have visited London or Washington for a big event, you will understand what I mean,

I hope this helps.
 
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The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
... If you want to view the fireworks, my advice is to go into Alemeda Park. There is a walking path that provides the best viewed of old Santiago and of the Cathedral. Also, there is always huge carnival in the park, so there will be lots of otehr folks around. MIND YOUR VALUABLES! ...

Good to know, just around the corner from me ;-)

... Every year, we direct arriving pilgrims to the bus to take them some four km, backward on the Camino Frances, the large municipal albergue at Monte de Goia....

Another option to Monte de Gozo ;) (which will have splendid view!) would be also one of the albergues in the entrance of Santiago, like Fin del Camino.

Buen Camino, SY
 
Sybille, just walk up the short street in front of Boots n' Roots Albergue, where the in-ground trash containers are. Just past the albergue, there are stairs (or path) to the left, into the park. This path leads you DIRECTLY to the walking path and view point I was trying to describe in my OP.

This is also where the HUGE tree with the octagonal bench around it's base is located. THAT is the picture post card view of the Cathedral, scaffolding and all... The annual carnival, with rides, attractions, noise and crowds is farther on, near the 'Two Marias' sculpture.

I look forward to seeing you and being back in Santiago three weeks from this coming Wednesday...but who is counting days?:):):)
 
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