Santiago da Compostella
This morning we arrived in the Galicia district of Spain, specifically the 14th century port city Villagarcia, from there we left the Endeavour for a trip north to Santiago. After arriving in Santiago we walked to the Santiago da Compostella (St. James of the Field of Stars) for the famous swinging of the botafumeiro. This device is a 150 lb incense burner that was used to sweeten the pungent odors wafting up from the unwashed pilgrims who would make their way from as far as France to have their sins forgiven. A tour of the church revealed the fabulous silver alter and the walk through a golden alter containing the remains of St. James, also known as the Killer of Moors. The outside of the cathedral, which was built from 1075 to 1120, was very ornate with its granite sculptures and ironwork.
In the early afternoon we enjoyed a performance of local Galician music which was followed by a wonderful lunch at perhaps the oldest hotel in Europe, Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, which was right next to the cathedral. We then made our way to the city of La Coruna in the northwest part of Galicia. The Endeavour was still repositioning to the port so we enjoyed yet another meal at a local restaurant where we sampled a drink called queimada, which would protect us from evil and witches! Once we were properly guarded from all evil the ship had arrived at the port and we quickly boarded for our next adventure, which would be a day at sea.Text: Jason Kelley, Naturalist; Photo: Steve Zeff, Naturalist
This morning we arrived in the Galicia district of Spain, specifically the 14th century port city Villagarcia, from there we left the Endeavour for a trip north to Santiago. After arriving in Santiago we walked to the Santiago da Compostella (St. James of the Field of Stars) for the famous swinging of the botafumeiro. This device is a 150 lb incense burner that was used to sweeten the pungent odors wafting up from the unwashed pilgrims who would make their way from as far as France to have their sins forgiven. A tour of the church revealed the fabulous silver alter and the walk through a golden alter containing the remains of St. James, also known as the Killer of Moors. The outside of the cathedral, which was built from 1075 to 1120, was very ornate with its granite sculptures and ironwork.
In the early afternoon we enjoyed a performance of local Galician music which was followed by a wonderful lunch at perhaps the oldest hotel in Europe, Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, which was right next to the cathedral. We then made our way to the city of La Coruna in the northwest part of Galicia. The Endeavour was still repositioning to the port so we enjoyed yet another meal at a local restaurant where we sampled a drink called queimada, which would protect us from evil and witches! Once we were properly guarded from all evil the ship had arrived at the port and we quickly boarded for our next adventure, which would be a day at sea.Text: Jason Kelley, Naturalist; Photo: Steve Zeff, Naturalist
