Portugal and Galicia

It all started a few years ago when we discovered the music of Luar Na Lubre, a Galician group that skillfully combines Celtic music with some melodies from distant Latin flavors. Later, in 2009, while crossing the Pyrenees, we found ourselves at the Roncisvalle Pass, where the most official route to Santiago begins.

This time, however, we start our itinerary from the south, specifically from Porto, and head north to reach Santiago, venturing towards the Galician coast while following the rugged coastline where the Atlantic crashes against the Spanish shores. The Portuguese coast appears more gentle: we stop in Aveiro, exploring its history mixed with moments of intense spirituality and others of relaxed contemplation. We visit basilicas, monasteries, and convents, culminating in a spiritual experience in Fatima. From here, we can see the majestic rock formations that seem to challenge the waves of the Atlantic at Cabo Carvoeiro and Cabo da Roca, and finally, Lisbon with its beautiful palaces in an enviable urban setting.

It's interesting to note how Portugal's peripheral location relative to the rest of Europe has positively influenced art over the centuries. Its long history has remained particularly intact thanks to limited invasions and subsequent raids. It is true that there have been wars, and after the Romans, various groups (especially Visigoths, Moors, and Spaniards) occupied the country, but compared to other areas of the continent, the situation is much better. Apart from the Napoleonic destruction, many traces of past centuries can still be seen.