Churches

Yes! I have arrived in Santiago and the end of the Caminos. Well, technically one can continue on to Finisterre and beyond but the Santiago Cathedral and the grave of the Apostle St. James is the prime reason pilgrims have made this a 'destination Camino' for hundreds of years. In modern times pilgrims also travel for sport, adventure, tourism and a host of other reasons but for many, it seems, spirituality or religion remain the primary driver for their journey.

In that spirit, this blog features churches (and cathedrals and monestaries).

 According to my 'All Countries' app, 94% of Spanish people are Roman Catholic and, from what I have seen,  there are no shortage of places for them to worship. Until we reached the region of Galicia even the tiniest of towns, with current populations, for example, numbering less than 100, had a church in the center of town (village, hamlet) often with a stunning gold altarpiece.  Many of these dated from the 12th to 15th centuty. Perhaps this is where one can find some of the riches from the new world?

Galicia is definitely different. Poorer, with more agriculture and a visible Celtic influence. Churches have been fewer in number and more humble in construction and decor, although very lovely in a different way. Obviously there are exceptions to this and the Santiago Cathedral (not pictured) is one of these.

I hadn't intended to tour the Benedictine Monestary in Samos, but events transpired to make it possible and it was definitely worth a visit. The monestary is one of the oldest and largest in Spain and is quite amazing but what is most astonishing is that it is maintained by only 14 monks, 4 of whom are over 80!