THE END OF THE PILGRIMAGE!

SANTIAGO AT LAST!!!

 The original town of Santiago was nothing more than a monastic development that housed one dozen monks, given the role of looking over the grave of St. James after its discovery in the 9^th ce4ntury. It is the capital of the region of Galicia. Many visit the city because of the historic culture, its unique buildings and architecture; its many districts and quarters, all of which have a historical reference. It consists of the old town and new town. Within the old town there are many narrow winding streets full of historic buildings. The new town all around has less character though some of the older parts of the new town have some big apartments in them. The greater city of Santiago de Compostela has a population over 100,000 people and is regarded as the third most important place in Christendom due to it holding the resting place of the apostle Saint James.

Significance: St. James was buried here. In 813, according to medieval legend, the light of a bright star guided s shepherd who was watching his flock at night to the burial site in Santiago de Compostela. The shepherd quickly reported his discovery to the bishop of Iria, Bishop Teodomiro. The bishop declared that the remains were those of the apostle James and immediately notified king Alfonso II in Oviedo. To honor St. James, the cathedral was built on the spot where his remains were said to have been found. The legend, which included numerous miraculous events, enabled the catholic faithful to not only maintain their stronghold in northern Spain during the Christian crusades against the moors, but also led to the growth and development of the city. The cathedral is the final destination for thousands of Christian pilgrims who walk the way of St. James pilgrimage across Galicia in order to reach this impressive city and visit the tomb of the saint himself.

The city of Santiago itself was very contrasting. On one hand, it’s a city centered on the pilgrims and the importance of reaching their final destination. On the other hand, the city had its own businesses and economy it thrived on. Also, with the old town and new town being present within smaller vicinity, the contrasting features of modernization and the old style of architecture threw me for a loop.

The cathedral was a very large and beautiful structure, inside and out. It was centered in a large square and with its size, it couldn’t be missed. It was one of the largest cathedrals we’ve seen yet, that’s for sure. Inside, there were confessionals lined along the right side for any pilgrims or anyone wanting a confession before or after mass. The relics of Saint James we’re behind the alter of the church under a huge statue of Saint James. Traditionally, pilgrims are to touch or kiss the shell that is located behind the alter. Under the alter, was the crypt of saint James located at. Interestingly, when they opened the crypt of Saint James nothing was there, which sparks another controversy. Is it possible that God took the relics back up to Heaven? Is it possible the relics were stolen? Were they ever there? I have my own belief so I’ll let you decide. The pilgrim mass we went to was for all the pilgrims who had come from near and far to Santiago by the way of the Camino. Of course, others could attend as well. We ended up meeting a few pilgrims from the U.S. outside the cathedral and heard their stories of the Camino. They were a group of older couples who had come from several states and had enjoyed singing so they walked and drove the Camino, stopping in churches and various other sites to sing. At the end of the mass, there is a huge incense burner hung from the ceiling of the cathedral that is suppose to swing and bless the pilgrims with burning incense. Unfortunately, this tradition was not carried out on the particular day we attended but nonetheless, it was a very powerful mass.

Santiago as a city holds a lot of religious affiliation and symbolism. It also has its own identity aside from the relation to the pilgrimage and Saint James. Personally, I enjoyed the religious affiliation and spirituality of the city but not the city itself.