A
cultural "pilgrimage" to Santiago de Compostela
This
itinerary follows the centuries-old route taken by pilgrims walking all the way
from France across northern Spain to the holy shrine of Santiago de Compostela
in the western province of Galicia. Because of the constant stream of those pilgrims
over the centuries (and you will most likely see some of them during your tour),
the route is dotted with hundreds of buildings - cathedrals, churches, monasteries,
hostels, etc. - dedicated to religious purposes and of great historical and cultural
value. The Gothic cathedrals of Burgos, Santiago de Compostela (two
UNESCO World Heritage sites) and Léon are prime examples. They are
absolute delights of architecture.
There
are several "official" routes to Santiago de Compostela, but the following
is one of the most traditional itineraries (the route in itself is a UNESCO World
Heritage site). Starting in Zaragoza,
the capital of ancient Aragon, it crosses Navarra with a stop in
world-famous Pamplona
(no, the running of the bulls is not on the program!).
Next,
the tour route enters Castilla y Léon, the cradle of modern Spain,
going through sprawling vineyards, over rolling hills and through a never-ending
succession of quaint medieval villages. The cathedrals of Burgos
and León
are the high points of this section of the tour route. The most noteworthy feature
in these two monuments is the size, sophistication and beauty of their stained-glass
windows. The cathedral of León, for example, has over 20,000 square feet
of windows reaching all the way up to the top of the vaulted ceiling. The other
stunning feature is simply the architecture itself. It has been described as "lace
carved in stone."
As
a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Santiago
de Compostela is an absolute treasure of a tourist destination. The most
important building is, of course, the cathedral built between the 11th and 13th
centuries. The more recent façade, dating back to only 1750, is the highest
expression of the baroque style in Spain. Inside, the main altar displays a statue
of St. James and is open to pilgrims who wish to follow the age-old cultural tradition
of touching or hugging the statue of the saint.
These
are but a few examples of the many cultural discoveries on this tour route. There
are so many more!
A
note about the climatic conditions of the region: Northern Spain is known as "Green
Spain" because of its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. This, of course, makes
for a cooler climate as well as lush and verdant sceneries and picture-perfect
landscapes.
There
are many possibilities on this tour route: La
Rioja, Galicia,
etc. Let us know where and when you want to go. We will create a custom program
that fits your requirements.
Please
note. This is a "suggested" private group itinerary, which can be
changed to suit your interests. The tour price will depend on the number of participants,
dates, type of hotels and other variables.
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