Path of the Pilgrims. Part 1
I decided to write a review about my journey on the "Way of Santiago" tour. The tour was intense - 14 days.
There are few people who organize tours in the North of Spain, so we gladly decided to fill our gap, although we had been to Spain more than once before. In Spain, the Pilgrim's Way (or the Way of Santiago) named after the Apostle James (in Spanish Iago) is very popular. According to legend, the boat with the remains of the apostle was launched into the sea and washed up in Spain, in the place where the city of Santiago de Compostela is now located. Many pilgrims still go on foot, on bikes or on horseback this pilgrimage route (there are many routes from different cities, but all in Santiago). Not allowed on motorcycles. On the way, hotels (albergo) are organized for pilgrims, they have a kind of pilgrim's passport, where they must put marks in key places along the route, at the end of the journey a diploma is issued at the end of the journey. Who will pass all the way - receives cleansing from sins. Our guide along the route, Lyuba Filatova, could not have children for a long time, rode this route on a horse - and now her dream came true, she is a mother.
Day one:
There is nothing special to write about, because arrived in Barcelona late, because of this, the excursion to the Sagrada Familia was lost, and immediately went to the North of Spain. The group was quite small - 22 people. the first night in the city of Lleida (the Spaniards call it Leida). It was practically impossible to walk around the city, because. we left in the morning, only the bridge of the famous Spanish architect Calatrava was remembered.
Calatrava Bridge in Lleida
Day two:
I was surprised by the breakfast, which was served with wine. Seen this for the first time. In general, the Spaniards differ for the better in organizing food on trips: breakfasts and dinners are good (unlike Italy), and they often put wine
Further on, our path lay in Zaragoza, through which many routes run. The main attraction is the Cathedral of Del Pilar, which houses a priceless statue of the Virgin Mary standing on a column (pilar), after which the cathedral is named. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle James, standing on a column surrounded by angels. She presented the apostle with a figurine and a small jasper column. Now, from the numerous touches of believers, the column in the middle has become very thin.
The temple was also painted by the great Goya, a native of these places. On the square, next to the temple, a monument was erected to him. The huge temple impresses with its elaborately carved gilded altar.
Calatrava Bridge in Lleida
Virgin Mary Pilar. Photo from the Internet, because it was not possible to get closer because of the large crowd of people. Everyone wants to touch the column.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Pilar
The Cathedral from the inside
The Cathedral from the inside
The Cathedral from the inside
Goya
Further, our path lay in Olite - the capital of Navarre. It is a pity that we were late for Ensierro (running with the bulls). In Spain, not only in Pamplona, they are held, but in several cities. The streets are fenced with poles, and the participants walk in white clothes with red belts, symbolizing blood. Then they noisily celebrate their races in local cafes. Number of bulls and races
Olite
Olite
can be different.
Olite
The main attraction of Olite is the royal castle of the 15th century, which was built under the leadership of King Charles the 3rd, it seems the buildings are chaotic, but together they look impressive and is number 1 in the list of the Seven Medieval Wonders of Spain. And the Castle has been subjected to various raids many times and fires and nothing inside it. But the walls and towers are impressive!
Olite. Royal Castle
Olite. Royal Castle
Olite. Royal Castle
Then we got a time delay, because part of the group wanted to have lunch, and in connection with the events all the cafes were busy. Therefore, we were looking for something to eat for a long time, and because of this, we arrived quite late at the next point of the trip, San Sebastian.
San Sebastian is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. On this day (Sunday) there was a real revelry to the fullest. Everyone drank cider, which is very popular in the North of Spain. In popular cafes, it is considered good form to throw cups on the floor, emphasizing the status of the establishment. The sight is rather unpleasant for us, you literally walk through the garbage. I was struck by the huge number of drinking children. They explained to us that the children of the city had made something like an agreement with the administration and parents, that on Sunday they had fun until midnight.
San Sebastian
San Sebastian
San Sebastian
San Sebastian
San Sebastian
San Sebastian
There was an idea to swim, but the weather in the North of Spain did not indulge, so we swam only at the end of the trip to the Costa Bravo.
Third day:
The route was built in a rather strange way and in the morning we went to Biarritz, a seaside resort in France, where many Basques live in this area, who (like Catalonia) always want to separate.
A strong storm caught us in Biarritz.
Biaritz
Although some people swam in closed bays.
Biaritz
The town itself is quite nice, there are many beautiful buildings. Good market and wine.
Biaritz
After lunch we went back to Spain, to the capital of the Basque Country - Bilbao. City in the village
Guggenheim Museum
Spider
Snowtime is booming, there is even a subway. Lots of beautiful modern buildings. The visiting card of the city is the Guggenheim Museum and a sculpture of a spider and a dog made of flowers installed nearby.
How is it in such a modern place without Calatrava? Here is his next bridge.
The old city is also interesting. Pay attention to the large number of glazed balconies, because the wind is just piercing in winter.
Bilbao. Embankment of the Nervuon River.
Station on the embankment
Embankment
Old Bilbao
We stayed overnight in the suburbs of Santander
