This short break guide about Santiago de Compostela, Spain will help you to make the most of your trip. Lists of what's on in Santiago de Compostela and recommended hotels will save you time when planning your city break.
About Santiago de Compostela, Spain
For more than 1,000 years Santiago de Compostela has been the site of a massive pilgrimage, known as the Way of St. James the Greater. Nearly 100,000 make the long, painstaking trek down a variety of routes until they all converge at the city's Santiago de Compostela. The annual pilgrimage is surrounded by much ado each July.
This important tie to Saint James the Greater make Santiago de Compostela the third most holy town of Catholicism, right after Jerusalem and Rome. According to legend the Saint preached here for many years and was also buried here. Remains were unearthed and were deemed the patron saint's, however, like much of the other ancient Santiago de Compostela folklore, many are skeptical and beliefs are purely faith based since nothing has ever been truly linked to Saint James' era. Regardless it makes for one heck of a celebration and is what the city is most noted for.
Santiago de Compostela was also deemed a European City of Culture in 2000 and has a thriving nightlife thanks in part to the mixture of the old city and new city as well as the blend of older generations with the new collegiate students attending the city's esteemed university.
What is on in Santiago de Compostela in 2008
Our mini-guide to what's on in Santiago de Compostela lists the top 10 events and attractions in 2008. If you take your short break in Santiago de Compostela, Spain when these events are taking place, add them to your list of things to do in Santiago de Compostela.
1. Saint James the Greater - Although the legends of the patron saint of Spain cannot actually be traced all the way back to his era, many events and historic sites in Santiago de Compostela are dedicated to Saint James including the 1,000 year old pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago Compostela. There are a number of ancient routes that you can follow any day and if you walk far enough, you can still receive a pilgrimage certificate. There is also a Pilgrimage Museum open weekdays from 10:00am - 8:00pm, weekends 10:30am - 1:30pm with a 2.40 admission; the Jet Stone Museum that displays the stones that those participating in the pilgrimage traditional wear among other jewelry that is open Wednesday through Monday 10:00am - 2:00pm and 5:00pm - 9:00pm for free, and the Spanish Baroque cathedral, Santiago de Compostela, where the pilgrimage ends which is open daily for 5EUR. The best time to enjoy the celebration of Saint James is in July, after thousands take the painstaking St James Way journey; the city abounds with fiestas, fireworks, feasts and religious masses.
2. Carnival - Brilliant dress, colorful parades and delectable foods are just part of Santiago de Compostela Carnival celebration in February. Shrove Tuesday brings a Mardi Gras style parade that features ancient Galician traditions in dress, music and dance. To mark the beginning of the Lent Season, on Ash Wednesday, locals burn Meco a figure that represents Carnival and also an uproarious political or social issue that is currently plaguing Spain. The burning of Meco is followed by yet another procession, this one more solemn, when all mourners dress in black and slowly wind around Santiago de Compostela. And in true Carnival style, the rest of the month brings rides, food, drink, parades and contests.
3. Alameda Park - Alameda Park is broken into three sections: Paseo da Alameda, Carballeria de Santa Susana and Paseo da Ferradura. Each sector features view points, lovely gardens, bubbling fountains, stunning sculptures all set on the ancient grounds of Santiago de Compostela. The park is open daily and free of charge.
4. Obradoiro Square - This Square, at the heart of the old city, is bordered by the Saint James Cathedral as well as the Royal Hospital, Raxoi Palace, San Xerome Palace, Palacio de Xelmirez and a small museum. There is so much history in this old square that it is a must see on any visit to Santiago de Compostela.
5. Museo do Pobo Galego - Located within the Bonoval Church, this museum is the burial site of several important Galician figures. It also pays homage to ancient tradition and Galician popular culture.
Recommended Santiago de Compostela Hotels
Hotel review website Trip Advisor allows travelers to thoroughly assess Santiago de Compostela hotels that they have visited. The unbiased evaluations really help to find the best hotels and avoid the worst. The top 10 Santiago de Compostela hotels recommended by review are:
1. Hotel Costa Vella
2. NH Obradoiro
3. Hotel Altair
4. Pazo Cibran
5. Hotel Los Abetos
6. Rosa Rosae Hotel
7. San Francisco Hotel Monumento
8. Husa Ciudad de Compostela
9. Hotel Entrecercas
10. Parador de los Resi Catolicos de Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela Airport
Flights by way of Iberia, Spainair, Ryanair and Vueling all over low cost charters into the city and from here you can choose to take either a cab or bus ride into the city for about 5EUR.
Santiago de Compostela Hotels
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