PORTUGUESE ROUTE

We kick off the pilgrimage in Tuí, Spain, just across the Miño River from Valença, Portugal. Tui has its origins in the year 1 AD and today boasts a population of nearly 17,500. The old streets form a network from the banks of the Miño River that goes up towards the cathedral fortress, which gives the city a unique profile. Tui is a place to walk around calmly, discovering small streets, squares, stately homes, churches, convents, coats of arms and a lot of small details on the fascades, windows and doors of the homes.

Between the 8th and 3rd centuries BC, the Iberian Peninsula was populated by various peoples living in the Iron Age, with the Galaicos being located in the northwest of the peninsula. Around the aforementioned centuries, Porriño was a crossroads for many of these groups. Porriño has an eminently industrial character thanks to its two industrial estates and its granite quarries, where the ornamental rock is extracted. The name O Porriño is attributed to Ghrovary the Puerile, a young king who led a revolt against a tyrant. Those who fought with him became knows as the "Sons of Puerīlis", which then evolved into O Porriño.

Pontevedra, a city in Galicia, Spain, boasts a rich history dating back to Roman times, though its golden age was in the Middle Ages as a vital port and trading hub for the low estuaries of Galicia. A major highlight is its remarkably preserved old town, one of the largest in Galicia, characterized by picturesque squares like Praza da Leña and Praza da Verdura, and numerous historical buildings such as the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor. An interesting tidbit is Pontevedra's pioneering urban model, which has largely pedestrianized its city center, prioritizing walkers and cyclists. It is the capital of Province of Pontevedra and has 83,000 inhabitants.

More a pueblo than a city, Caldas de Reís (literally Hot Waters of Kings) is renowned for its thermal baths, once frequented by Spanish royalty of the past. It appears in Ptolemy’s Tables (AD 100–170), referred to as Aquae Calidae. Remarkably, almost 1900 years later, those hot springs still flow. The town offers charming historical architecture, including Romanesque churches and the unique Church of Santo Tomás Becket. Nestled by the Umia River and featuring lovely botanical gardens, Caldas de Reis provides a blend of natural wellness, rich history, and a welcoming atmosphere for both locals and pilgrims.

Padrón holds a truly unique and significant place in the history of the Camino de Santiago, as it's traditionally believed to be the landing point of the stone boat that carried the body of Saint James the Apostle from Palestine to Galicia. The town's name itself is derived from the "Pedrón," an ancient Roman altar (now preserved in the Church of Santiago) to which the Apostle's boat was supposedly moored. Beyond its spiritual significance, pilgrims can appreciate the charming, medieval layout of its streets, visit the Sunday market on the Espolón Promenade for a taste of local life, and of course, try the famous "Pimientos de Padrón".

We finally arrive at our destination... Santiago de Compostela! There is usually an air of both excitement and nostalgia. The journey has been challenging and rewarding! Santiago's founding has been dated to 830 AD. It boasts a rich cultural and religious heritage. Here you will receive your Compostela certificate and anyone who wishes can attend the evening Pilgrim's Blessing Mass at the Cathedral. We should arrive with enough time for you to get cleaned up and go see the city. We'll wrap up our time together with a last group dinner and a short debrief.