Finisterrae, the end of the world.

Known as the “Field of the stars”, Finisterrae is a place that hides a lot of emotions , mixing the divine with the pagan, the immensity of the ocean with the insignificance of the human being, the end with the beginning.

The end of the world is a town in Galicia, located 90 kilometers away from Santiago de Compostela in which the origins get lost on time. It was declared as European Patrimony in 2007.

Nowadays, it has become the epilogue or continuation of the “Camino de Santiago”. Since the Middle Ages, there were a lot of pilgrims who continued the route to this place, which followed the trail of the Milky Way, and it assured a vision of the “end of the world”.

It is known that the Roman People came to this coast attracted by the beauty and horror of watching how the sun was getting lost at the limits of the ocean. Long before, this land was occupied by the tribes, and there is still rests of the city of Dugium, probably, long before it was inhabited by ancestral communities who adored the sun.

There is was the altar to the sun, denominated Ara Solis, it was destroyed by the apostle Santiago when he was trying to indoctrinate the real faith in the population. The apostle built the San Guillermo Chapel, which is now missing.

The Calixtino Codex narrates that the disciples of the apostle Santiago moved there to ask the governor who was in charge to bury the apostle in Compostela.  The governor denied the petition and made lock up the disciples.

It also tell about the persecution by the roman army and how they were be able to scape through a bridge which collapsed when roman troops were over there. Was that a miracle?

For years, Finisterre became the pilgrim route for prisoners penance who were forced to travel to holy places for exonerate their sins.
After 16^th century, it proceeded in a slow fall of incarcerated and faithful pilgrimages.

Thanks to the route`s massification of this century, Finisterrae way has recovered its essence and, nowadays, it is the perfect Camino de Santiago end for the most of pilgrims.

The majesty of Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) with its wild sea its  one of the most impressive coastal zones of Iberian Peninsula and it deserves an extra walk.
It is one of the preferred routes due to its lovely coastal landscape or its towns with several hidden gems.

Medieval bridges, windmills, ancient oak woods, traditional architecture with no equal granaries (Hórreos), sea breeze, hidden paths by vegetation or magical places where you can find yourself, are just a little of you will admire inside Finisterre way. Beside this, the promise of contemplate one of the most beautiful sunset while you are burning your dusty and plaintive footwear as culmination.

If you fell in love with this land of contrasts and appears the opportunity to learn more about it, the best accommodation options are inside Finisterre, where you could find charming hotels, inns & guesthouses or private hostels which are so close to stunning monuments as San Carlos Castle, magnificent defensive fortress of the 18^th century who commissioned Carlos III, nowadays, after several owner changes, it belongs to the Fisterae Confraternity of Fishermen who turned the construction into the Fishing Museum.

There is also the church of Nuestra Señora de las Arenas, built on the XII century, it has inside the image of the Saint Christ of Finisterrae, also known as “ O Cristo da Barba Dourada” which is a monument dedicated to all the galicians who had to leave their towns to look for a better future for their families.

The lighthouse of Finisterrae is the most visited places in Galicia. But if you want is to enjoy aquatic sports,the best option is to visit some of the white san beaches.

Langosteira Beach is 3 km long and it is the most touristic beach on the zone, it has the blue flag and a lot of services for the swimmers. Del Rostro Beach is the longest one but also the most dangerous beach of all of them.

Now you know, you have no excuse to know one of the most beautiful places of our geography, full of history, myths and rituals and with one of the darkest meanings: The end of the world.