Santiago de Compostela

Today was spent sightseeing in Santiago de Compastela

First, a nice buffet breakfast overlooking a quiet courtyard, that buffers us from the noisy streets (unlike our room). 

Then we headed back to the Cathedral. Our hotel is just outside the old city walls, so it was a short walk. 

After yesterday's arrival, an empty and quiet plaza was a most unexpected, but pleasant surprise. 

Southern facade. 

Horse fountain in the Praza das Praterias (Plaza of Silversmiths)

Praza de Obradoiro (Golden Square) is on the western, main side, of the Cathedral. This is the place where most of the tourists and pilgrims are found. 

It also has the entrance to the longest comtinuosly operating hotel in the world. The Parador Santiago (on the right). 

Upon climbing the stairs and entering the doors on the western side, we saw the statue of Santiago the Pilgrim on a high pillar. 

The column is a carved representation of the Tree of Jesse. It was tradition for peregrinos to entwine their hands into the Tree. 

http://www.spiritualtravels.info/articles-2/europe-2/introduction/the-pilgrimage-to-santiago-today/what-happens-once-youre-in-santiago/

However, nowadays, peregrinos are discouraged from touching the column by a barrier. 

One practice that is still allowed is to climb the stairs behind the main altar and give the gilded statue of St James a hug from behind. 

From behind the St James and the altar. 

The steps behind the altar are worn down by millions of pilgrims. 

And underneath the altar is the resting place of Santiago himself. 

A few other pictures from inside various chapels in the cathedral. 

Santiago the Moorslayer

They try to hide the unfortunate Moors (Muslims) with flowers. Throughout our Camino hike we have seen many depictions of moor-slaying, usually with severed heads in the paintings and statues. The crusades were brutal. 

The culmination of a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela is the pilgrims' mass. When we arrived to tour the Cathedral around 9 am, there was no one in the place. (Go back to the picture of St James' from behind the altar and peek over his shoulder). 

But by the time the pilgrims' mass started it was packed. 

And when the Botafumeiro started flying, it looked like this. 

Check out the video on my Facebook page.

Or at this link. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botafumeiro

It's a spectacular sight. I wish I could get it to post here. 

After the noon mass, we headed out to the plaza for lunch, where we met a Canadian couple. They are also motorcycle travelers. We exchanged tips on various roads and tours that make for great motorcycle adventures.

Then it was back to the hotel to rest up. We will be doing the Santiago to Finisterre trek starting tomorrow. This part is more mountainous than what we've done so far, with fewer facilities. We're hoping the extra day here in Santiago will be sufficient rest for our tired muscles, sore legs and feet.