Finisterre-Muxía: the best of Costa da Morte
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If we think of Spain, we normally think of the sun, the sea, the party and the beaches. But Spain is also history, culture and nature, and Galicia offers many occasions to enjoy that. If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, discover the history of the west coast of the country, the excursion to Finisterre is perfect for you. You will have the opportunity to visit the most important places of the Jacobean tradition that are part of the routes of the Camino de Santiago.
In this article we are going to tell you some curiosities about the Costa da Morte and its most famous towns, so that you can get an idea of what awaits you in Galicia.
Death Coast
For pilgrims and tourists who arrive in Santiago de Compostela, the Costa da Morte, is a charming place that can be easily visited, given its proximity to the city. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Galicia, with many deserted beaches, hiking trails, lighthouses and small towns. In addition, there are many hórreos, which are ancient constructions that were used to preserve food and to store and dry wheat.
It takes its somber name from the dangerous nature of the area, famous for many accidents in history and many shipwrecks in the depths of the sea.
Read also : EXCURSION TO FINISTERRE + COSTA DA MORTE
Finisterre - the End of the World
The Romans considered Finisterre as the end of the known world, in fact the name derives from the Latin finis terrae, literal end of the earth, and is one of the three Finisterre in the world, along with France and Cornwall in England.
It was born on the remains of a Celtic population that it found in, Cape Finisterre where the lighthouse is, its sacred place. There they built an altar dedicated to the sun, or Ara Solis in Latin that, next to Mount Pindo, represents a sacred site for the Celts.
In addition, the Camino de Santiago ends there, represented by kilometer zero. It is a place that gathers the pilgrims who finish their journey in front of the old Finisterre, Lighthouse, the most to the west in all of Europe and built in 1853, and they can enjoy, at the same time, wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The town of Finisterre offers several restaurants where you can try typical Galician food. Here you can enjoy seafood and fish, especially the famous Longueirón de Fisterra, but also meat and tapas, all accompanied by local beers or red wine.
Read also: TOURISM IN GALICIA
Muxía
Muxía is a fishing village located on the Galician coast. An essential point for all travelers visiting the region is the Sanctuary of Virxe da Barca, located in front of the ocean. Popular legends tell that the Apostle Santiago had come to Spain to preach the word of Christ, but without success. It was at that moment that the Virgin appeared in a stone boat in the sea, encouraging the disciples. This is the place where the Sanctuary dedicated to the Virgen de la Barca, patron saint of sailors, is now located. It was built as a sign of gratitude between the 14th and 15th centuries.
In addition, in front of the Sanctuary, you can see the Abalar stone, which is said to be the bottom of the Virgin’s boat. The special thing about this stone is that, according to legends, it has the power to judge whether a person is good or bad, after moving or standing still.
Another special feature of the Muxía coast is that, if it is a particularly windy day, you can see giant waves, which cannot be seen in many other places.
In conclusion, if you are looking for an unusual experience, with enchanting views and a lot of local history, the Death Coast is the one that will most satisfy those desires.
We are waiting for you on the excursion, to enjoy these amazing landscapes together!