The Feast Day of Saint James
Pilgrims painstakingly cross parts of Spain on foot aiming to arrive at the beautiful medieval city of Santiago de Compostela for The Feast Day of Saint James (Sant' Iago) celebrations. It is an important fiesta for Spanish Catholics, especially Galicians.
Saint James is, after all, the patron saint of Spain and Galicia itself. The ancient medieval walled city of Santiago de Compostela sets about celebrating Galician day, where ancient and modern Galician customs are practised and remembered.
Throngs of pilgrims and Galicians alike gather in the streets and plazas of this granite city and mix among the carnival groups, giants and papiér mâché cabezudos ("big heads"). Street parties and concerts continue for much of the week.
The highlight of the festivities sees national politicians and dignitaries converging on the Praza de Obradorio in an appeal to the Saint for peace and prosperity. Do not on any account miss the Fuegos del Apóstol - fireworks in honour of Saint James, and as you will no doubt discover, a whole host of other types of pyrotechnics.
| Town Information: | Santiago de Compostela |
|---|---|
| Full Name: | Santiago de Compostela,Spain |
| Name: | Santiago de Compostela Tourist Office |
|---|---|
| Location: | Santiago de Compostela |
| Address: | Oficina Compostela 2000, Rúa del Villar, 63, 15705 Santiago, Spain |
| Email: | info@santiagoturismo.com |
| Phone: | +34 981 55 51 29 |
| Name: | Spanish National Tourist Office |
| Location: | Spain |
| Address: | José Lazaro Galdiano, 6, Madrid 28036 |
| Fax: | +34 913 43 35 00 |
| Name: | Spanish National Tourist Office (TourSpain) |
| Location: | Spain |
| Address: | José Lazaro Galdiano, 6, Madrid 28036 |
| Phone: | +34 913 43 35 00 or UK: +44 (0) 20 7486 8077 |
| Name: | Spanish Tourist Board (London) |
| Location: | Spain |
| Address: | PO Box 4009, London, W1A 6NB |
| Email: | info.londres@tourspain.es |
| Phone: | +44 (0) 20 7486 8077 |
| Fax: | +44 (0) 20 7486 8034 |
