Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the final destination of the Camino de Santiago, rather than a stage on the Camino de Frances. As the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain, ... Read full notes it holds great historical and religious significance. The city is named after Saint James the Great (Santiago), one of Jesus Christ's apostles, whose remains are believed to be buried in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The city's history dates back to the 9th century when, according to legend, the tomb of Saint James was discovered by a hermit named Pelayo. This led to the construction of a small church, which eventually evolved into the grand Cathedral we see today. Over the centuries, Santiago de Compostela became a major pilgrimage destination, attracting pilgrims from all over Europe. The Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrimage routes, was established to guide pilgrims to the city, with the Camino de Frances being the most popular and well-traveled route.