Santiago De Compostela, Galicia
Our daylong visit was blessed with fine weather. The coach journey commenced at A Coruna and after an hour’s drive we reached the university city of Santiago de Compostela. The morning’s walk took in the sites of churches, monastic houses and hostels which were, and are, part of this center of pilgrimage. The cult of Saint James was established here in the medieval period. Today’s granite-built cathedral, which dates from the 12th century, with an added facade and internal features from the 17th and 18th centuries, contains the remains of Saint James in a silver casket.
At midday we gathered with local dignitaries and other visitors in the main city square. Here and across Europe a period of silence registered our respect for those who suffered in Tuesday’s calamity. Our mood was somber.
Our daylong visit was blessed with fine weather. The coach journey commenced at A Coruna and after an hour’s drive we reached the university city of Santiago de Compostela. The morning’s walk took in the sites of churches, monastic houses and hostels which were, and are, part of this center of pilgrimage. The cult of Saint James was established here in the medieval period. Today’s granite-built cathedral, which dates from the 12th century, with an added facade and internal features from the 17th and 18th centuries, contains the remains of Saint James in a silver casket.
At midday we gathered with local dignitaries and other visitors in the main city square. Here and across Europe a period of silence registered our respect for those who suffered in Tuesday’s calamity. Our mood was somber.
