Pilgrim in the Shadows

[VNwalking]

I just read about this mysterious phenomenon and thought others might also be interested to know about it:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/shadow-pilgrim

How did I never know about this? So now I need to go back to Santiago again to see it.

 

[alexwalker]

Need to check out that, yes...

 

[Iriebabel]

Me too...I totally forgot about it last time

 

[KinkyOne]

Have to check that out next time.
I like the legend though!!!

 

[VNwalking]

Is it just me with my head in the sand or did other people not know about this too?

 

[Levi]

I just learned about it last September. From a fellow pilgrim.
And I'm hoping to visit with him again in Santiago in October

 

[John Gilliland]

I just read about this in Wise Pilgrim guide for the Camino Portugues

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I wanted to see where the shadow pilgrim of Santiago was so I did a search. I'm sharing what I found.

It is located in a corner of the cathedral at the Praza de la Quintana (Praza da Quintana) on the east side of the cathedral. In the pictures of it you can see a column. This column is just visible at the far left of this picture: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Praza_da_Quintana,_Santiago_de_Compostela.jpg

On Google maps this corner is marked with a pin labeled Casco histórico de Santiago de Compostela. Use this URL (but you probably will want to change the view to satellite): https://www.google.com/maps/place/C...990450ff57f6c7d!8m2!3d42.8803987!4d-8.5439973

On the website http://mymeseta.com/shadows-in-santiago/ is a good picture showing a lot of the corner (that will make identifying the place easier.) Here is the picture used on that webpage:

https://flic.kr/p/PSTph3

Another picture is at: https://depositphotos.com/97664876/stock-photo-antique-door-and-the-pilgrim.html

 

[t2andreo]

As of 13 August, when I left after a month at the Pilgrim Office, there was a prefabricated construction ‘office ‘ and some scaffolding in this corner. It blocks the nighttime phenomenon.

However, I did snoop enough to determine that the lamp, pillar, and thick copper grounding cable (from one of the rooftop lightning rods, remain in place. So, once the construction stuff is eventually removed, the ‘Shadow Pilgrim’ or the ‘Ghost of Santiago ‘ should return in all its spookiness...

Hope this helps.

 

[Jury taylor]

SO glad to have an excuse to go back! AND walk another 600 km before hand!

 

[Maria K]

As of 13 August, when I left after a month at the Pilgrim Office, there was a prefabricated construction ‘office ‘ and some scaffolding in this corner. It blocks the nighttime phenomenon.

However, I did snoop enough to determine that the lamp, pillar, and thick copper grounding cable (from one of the rooftop lightning rods, remain in place. So, once the construction stuff is eventually removed, the ‘Shadow Pilgrim’ or the ‘Ghost of Santiago ‘ should return in all its spookiness...

Hope this helps.

Any idea when the construction will be finished? I will be there end Sept/Oct. Would love to see this. Also, what time would be the best time to see this?

 

[Former member 49149]

Is it just me with my head in the sand or did other people not know about this too?

Ok, if this makes you feel better: total news to me too! It does look spooky, but then perspective can be very deceptive. Sometimes i really would love to break the no capitals rule on this forum, but I am too much of a Scot for that kind of insubordination! Once I know the rule, I have to stick to it.

 

[LTfit]

Is it just me with my head in the sand or did other people not know about this too?

A fellow hospitalera friend showed me the shadow pilgrim on my third arrival in Santiago in 2013. I've visited him/her whenever back although the phenomenon was not visible this past June during my 8th arrival to Santiago. On the otherhand seeing the façade of the Cathedral without the scaffolding made up for this

 

[Yoyo]

That's me with the "shadow pilgrim", so you get an idea of the size.

 

[Theatregal]

Pilgrim Ghost - a favourite spot to visit. I saw it by chance the first time I visited Santiago and read about it later. When I was there this past April there was a construction shed in that corner so couldn't see it.

 

[hel&scott]

So now I need to go back to Santiago again to see it.

As if you needed an excuse.

 

[Annette london]

Ok, if this makes you feel better: total news to me too! It does look spooky, but then perspective can be very deceptive. Sometimes i really would love to break the no capitals rule on this forum, but I am too much of a Scot for that kind of insubordination! Once I know the rule, I have to stick to it.

Ha Ha Kirkie
Of course you do
I know that!
Any one of us ever ever ever break the rules!
We'd like to though now and then......but we're being watched!!!
Best wishes
Annette

 

[wisepilgrim]

It hasn't been visible for over a year now due to the construction, which is a pity. I have a few nice prints of it if anyone is interested.

 

[Pia Valbak Schmidt]

I just read about this mysterious phenomenon and thought others might also be interested to know about it:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/shadow-pilgrim

How did I never know about this? So now I need to go back to Santiago again to see it.

Sure, one must go to Santiago D C at least one more time to be sure

 

[Carmel L]

I found out about this last Sept when I joined the French speaking guided tour of the outside of the Cathedral. My friend had to translate for me! I loved the shadow and the story so charming.

 

[Lisa HS]

I am the one who submitted this update to Atlas Obscura: "Update June 2018: Due to ongoing construction on the cathedral, scaffolding currently obscures the pilgrim. He should return to view once the project is complete, though when that will be is currently unknown." If anyone is there and notices the temporary construction is gone and the pilgrim has returned, please let me know and I will update A.O. again.