Turismo Natural

NATURE: “FINISTERRE, THE END OF THE WORLD”

Jan 20, 2010 Activities, Galicia, History, Sea, Nature, Villages, Tourism, Cultured Tourism, Natural Tourism

La Costa de la Muerte (The Coast of Death) in Galicia is well-known, especially by sailors, as this part of the coast has caused and continues to cause many shipwrecks. But this post is not about the negative side of this coast, but of a particular area, Finisterre.

The cape of Finisterre is on La Costa de la Muerte. As we have just mentioned, its name reflects the high number of ships that have sunk along this coastline. However, to think that this beautiful, steep and craggy coastline could be the cause of so many shipwrecks is something of a paradox.

It is difficult to describe what you will see if you visit Finisterre at the end of the day, except that you will be able to see the sun set in the horizon. This event frightened the Romans, as the Sun hid there in the horizon and it rose blazing from the sea. It is worth seeing.

In ancient times it was thought that this cape marked the end of the Earth, and this is what gave this place its name: FINISTERRE. This fact had enormous power because apart from being the end of the known world, (i.e. mapped land), it also had a religious connotation as the End of the World.

Finisterre is the last destination along the Way of St James. Once pilgrims had visited the tomb of the Apostle, they would continue on until Finisterre, where they would burn their clothes as a symbol of purification, throwing the ashes into the sea.

Turismo Natural recommends you visit this spot and enjoy the sunset and the beautiful cliffs. Do remember, pilgrims,to visit Finisterre once you have visited the tomb of St James the Apostle.

Tags: Holy Year, Way of Saint James, Costa da Morte, Costa de la Muerte, End of the Earth, End of the World, Finisterre, Galicia, History, Nature, Tourism, Finisterre Tourism, Galicia Tourism, Natural Tourism