Question on Visiting Santiago de Compostela for 1st time

[Walter or Carol]

Hi everyone, been a member for a couple years, but this is my first question post. Hope to walk the Camino Francis with my wife in a couple years as our health recovery is getting better. As luck would have it, we’re visiting the end point - Compostela de Santiago for 5 hours in the beginning of May. With this limited time, I’d love to hear suggestions on where to visit, especially as I understand parts of the Cathedral will be closed for restoration. We’ll visit what we can, but where else would you suggest? Could we drop by and say hello to anyone? hanks, Walter

 

[Dennis D]

Hello,

You might want to go to the Pilgrim House and meet Nate and Faith. It is not too far from the cathedral and in the middle of the shopping area. I assume that they could give you some ideas of what to do and see on such short notice.

When I arrive in Santiago, I get my Compostela, have a good meal and go to bed happily knowing that I won't have to get up in the morning at any special time to start walking.

I see that you are a donating member. You might want to go try to meet Ivar. He is busy and has short hours but it is nice to put a face to this amazing Forum if he is available.

Pilgrim House Santiago

pilgrimhousesantiago.com

Buen Camino,

Dennis

 

[lizlane]

FYI, the butafumiero is not flying in Santiago...From what I understand, it is only being used on high holy days and pilgrim masses are still being conducted daily elsewhere in the city. The church is still open for visiting St. James, priests are still available for confession and meeting other requirements associated with gaining the indulgence but if you are looking forward to communion in Santiago, wrapped in frankincense and myrhh as I was, the cathedral is undergoing necessary renovations with an ETA of the Jubilee year. I'm still walking this year regardless, even if I have to trek a bit further in the city to take mass. I can always return in 2021. I was disappointed to learn this myself but I've waited almost seven years to go so there's no reason to stop now. The news is pretty vague but listed elsewhere on the forum here: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ded-from-monday-28-january.59912/#post-702710

Click here to learn more about gaining the plenary indulgence: https://oficinadelperegrino.com/en/pilgrimage/plenary-indulgence/

You might want to consider going to dinner in Santiago or asking about other members how long it would take by car/taxi/bux to Finisterre or Muxia and revise plans accordingly to make the most of your five hours.

 

[Walter or Carol]

Thanks Dennis - great ideas would love to visit with Ivar too if the times work out.
Thanks Liz, very helpful links .
I love his forum!

 

[Deleted member 59555]

Thanks Dennis - great ideas would love to visit with Ivar too if the times work out.
Thanks Liz, very helpful links .
I love his forum!

Have a look at the Cathedral,talk to the pilgrims they wont mind. Then sit at a cafe and let the emotion of it all wrap around you like golden syrup. But beware it is as addictive as cocaine. But it hasn't got me. ha ha..

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

There is a pilgrimage museum not far from the cathedral. I did not see the museum myself though.
It may be good to get an overview of a pilgrimage before you actually start one instead of a synopsis of a pilgrimage you have just completed.

 

[Bala]

There is a pilgrimage museum not far from the cathedral. I did not see the museum myself though.
It may be good to get an overview of a pilgrimage before you actually start one instead of a synopsis of a pilgrimage you have just completed.

The Museum of the Pilgrim is interesting and informative. Definitely worth a visit.

 

[Walter or Carol]

Have a look at the Cathedral,talk to the pilgrims they wont mind. Then sit at a cafe and let the emotion of it all wrap around you like golden syrup. But beware it is as addictive as cocaine. But it hasn't got me. ha ha..

Will do!

 

[Walter or Carol]

The Museum of the Pilgrim is interesting and informative. Definitely worth a visit.

Thanks Bala, we will check it out.

 

[Walter or Carol]

The specific date we will be there is May 8th. Hope to meet some folks then. Ivar, would love to meet you! Any others there that day?

 

[KariC]

Walter/Carol - it's compostela - just one L, and the compostela is what you get when you walk the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. But in reading your question, I asked myself why the city was called "de compostela," and found that the current usage of compostela to mean the certificate of completion may not have been the original one:
"Folk etymology for the name "Compostela" is that it comes from the Latin "Campus Stellae" (i.e. Stars Field), but it is unlikely such a phonetic evolution takes account of normal evolution from Latin to Galician-Portuguese. A more probable etymology relates the word with Latin "compositum", and local Vulgar Latin "Composita Tella", meaning "burial ground" as a euphemism."

 

[Bert45]

You've been a member for two years, but you can call the city Compostella de Santiago (and Compostela de Santiago)! Have you been paying attention? I'll overlook 'Camino Francis' as a possible typo.

 

[Walter or Carol]

Walter/Carol - it's compostela - just one L, and the compostela is what you get when you walk the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. But in reading your question, I asked myself why the city was called "de compostela," and found that the current usage of compostela to mean the certificate of completion may not have been the original one:
"Folk etymology for the name "Compostela" is that it comes from the Latin "Campus Stellae" (i.e. Stars Field), but it is unlikely such a phonetic evolution takes account of normal evolution from Latin to Galician-Portuguese. A more probable etymology relates the word with Latin "compositum", and local Vulgar Latin "Composita Tella", meaning "burial ground" as a euphemism."

Thanks Kari, I appreciate the correction. I look forward to visiting the museum in Santiago de Compostela and learning more.

 

[Walter or Carol]

You've been a member for two years, but you can call the city Compostella de Santiago (and Compostela de Santiago)! Have you been paying attention? I'll overlook 'Camino Francis' as a possible typo.

Thanks Bert for catching the typo - yes, I do need to pay better attention. My wife and I wanted to walk the CF last year, even bought our walking poles, hiking shoes, and packs by reading suggestions in this forum. While a couple surgeries got in the way, i’ve really enjoyed reading the forum the last two years. Kind of a devotional for me. Take care, Walter

 

[MarkN]

You don't seem to have a lot of time there?
I love just sitting in the Cathedral square (there are stone benches along the side) and watching and relaxing. There is a very happy air there.
If it fits your schedule I very much enjoyed the Cathedral tour that includes walking on the roof (very not scary in case of concern).

 

[Walter or Carol]

You don't seem to have a lot of time there?
I love just sitting in the Cathedral square (there are stone benches along the side) and watching and relaxing. There is a very happy air there.
If it fits your schedule I very much enjoyed the Cathedral tour that includes walking on the roof (very not scary in case of concern).

Thanks Mark, yes, that will be wonderful! A little backwards, but I'm sure I'll be even more eager for our walk in a couple years!!

 

[cherrys]

Hi everyone, been a member for a couple years, but this is my first question post. Hope to walk the Camino Francis with my wife in a couple years as our health recovery is getting better. As luck would have it, we’re visiting the end point - Compostela de Santiago for 5 hours in the beginning of May. With this limited time, I’d love to hear suggestions on where to visit, especially as I understand parts of the Cathedral will be closed for restoration. We’ll visit what we can, but where else would you suggest? Could we drop by and say hello to anyone? hanks, Walter

Two suggestions for time in Santiago other than the obvious. You can take a tour of the Cathedral roof - you need a reservation - but you know you already know when you will be there. Find out if that is available as sometimes it is not. But well worth it. If you leave the front of the catedral and head down to the right towards the Pilgrim office there is a really good tiny restaurant on the right hand side. It may be called Restaurante Tatara. It was recommended to us six years ago by some Australians and I’ve now eaten there several times. Also bus to Fisterre if you can. You can walk out to the lighthouse. It will give you a taste of what is to come. Buen future camino- Cherry

 

[Walter or Carol]

Two suggestions for time in Santiago other than the obvious. You can take a tour of the Cathedral roof - you need a reservation - but you know you already know when you will be there. Find out if that is available as sometimes it is not. But well worth it. If you leave the front of the catedral and head down to the right towards the Pilgrim office there is a really good tiny restaurant on the right hand side. It may be called Restaurante Tatara. It was recommended to us six years ago by some Australians and I’ve now eaten there several times. Also bus to Fisterre if you can. You can walk out to the lighthouse. It will give you a taste of what is to come. Buen future camino- Cherry

Thanks Cherry, we’ll definitely check out a roof tour - I’ll check in to reservations. Hope it’s not closed during the renovations. Do you remember a particular meal at the Tatara?

 

[natefaith]

Hello,

You might want to go to the Pilgrim House and meet Nate and Faith. It is not too far from the cathedral and in the middle of the shopping area. I assume that they could give you some ideas of what to do and see on such short notice.

When I arrive in Santiago, I get my Compostela, have a good meal and go to bed happily knowing that I won't have to get up in the morning at any special time to start walking.

I see that you are a donating member. You might want to go try to meet Ivar. He is busy and has short hours but it is nice to put a face to this amazing Forum if he is available.

Pilgrim House Santiago

pilgrimhousesantiago.com

Buen Camino,

Dennis

Thanks, Dennis! And @Walter or Carol, welcome to the Forum! I see you'll be in town on May 8. Pilgrim House is closed on Wednesdays for meetings, but please message me closer to the time (through this Forum) and we can see if we can get coffee together, if you like. And with 5 hours available, I'd take a walk through old town, see the Mercado de Abastos open-air market, and take a full circle around Parque Alameda, the big park right outside of old town. Parque Alameda has a beautiful view of the Cathedral. There are good cafes and restaurants all around, and the Museo do Pobo Galego or the Museo das Peregrinaciones are both worthwhile.
Take care,
Faith

 

[oursonpolaire]

And if this walking around is too much, just grab one of the marble tables at the Casino Cafe on Rua de Vilar 35 and enjoy some hot chocolate among the carvings and mirrors.

 

[Jackieduda]

Have a look at the Cathedral,talk to the pilgrims they wont mind. Then sit at a cafe and let the emotion of it all wrap around you like golden syrup. But beware it is as addictive as cocaine. But it hasn't got me. ha ha..

And have a cafe gallego at the cafe in the fancy pants Parador while you’re at it!
J

 

[Walter or Carol]

Thanks, Dennis! And @Walter or Carol, welcome to the Forum! I see you'll be in town on May 8. Pilgrim House is closed on Wednesdays for meetings, but please message me closer to the time (through this Forum) and we can see if we can get coffee together, if you like. And with 5 hours available, I'd take a walk through old town, see the Mercado de Abastos open-air market, and take a full circle around Parque Alameda, the big park right outside of old town. Parque Alameda has a beautiful view of the Cathedral. There are good cafes and restaurants all around, and the Museo do Pobo Galego or the Museo das Peregrinaciones are both worthwhile.
Take care,
Faith

Great ideas Dennis, and yes, we'd like to meet you for coffee (will pm when closer). My wife had an idea - she wondered if we should try walking the last km. Where would we go to do that? Thanks, Walter

 

[Walter or Carol]

And if this walking around is too much, just grab one of the marble tables at the Casino Cafe on Rua de Vilar 35 and enjoy some hot chocolate among the carvings and mirrors.

I love hot chocolate, though Carol may try some Spanish vino.

 

[Walter or Carol]

And have a cafe gallego at the cafe in the fancy pants Parador while you’re at it!
J

Sounds good - so many choices!!!

 

[natefaith]

Great ideas Dennis, and yes, we'd like to meet you for coffee (will pm when closer). My wife had an idea - she wondered if we should try walking the last km. Where would we go to do that? Thanks, Walter

Let's see - on Rua de San Pedro, there's a Churrería San Pedro cafe (where you can get churros and Spanish hot chocolate to dip them in). That's on the Camino Francés and is about 1.2km away from the Cathedral. That could work well.
Faith

 

[Walter or Carol]

Let's see - on Rua de San Pedro, there's a Churrería San Pedro cafe (where you can get churros and Spanish hot chocolate to dip them in). That's on the Camino Francés and is about 1.2km away from the Cathedral. That could work well.
Faith

Perfect!

 

[cherrys]

Thanks Cherry, we’ll definitely check out a roof tour - I’ll check in to reservations. Hope it’s not closed during the renovations. Do you remember a particular meal at the Tatara?

I don’t remember what we ate - the menu is limited I believe, all I remember was that I enjoyed it (and the wine) and went back another year

 

[Walter or Carol]

UPDATE: Well...the tour bus was late....and it was pouring rain when we first got there...and yes, the Church was undergoing renovations, but we got into the church, and hugged the saint behind the altar, and the rain stopped, so we had time to just stand in the the square and watch Camino walkers come in. Wonderful! Someday we’ll be back!