The Northern Way in Galicia

It runs along the Cantabrian coastline and enters Galicia at the town of Ribadeo. It seems this route gained prominence in the late Middle Ages (around the 14th- 15th century). Maritime pilgrimages were at the height of popularity, and pilgrims often added a visit to Oviedo as part of their devotional journey to Santiago de Compostela.

Although the Northern Way stays close to the coastline, on the ground travelers actually find themselves inland, passing through historical towns, monasteries dedicated to Saint James the Greater, and greatly contrasting natural landscapes, such as the Terras do Miño biosphere reserve.

The journey starts from the edge of the Cantabrian Sea and guides travelers through the diverse heritage and natural landscapes of the region. Castropol is the last town in the autonomous community of Asturias before Galicia. Travelers make their way into Galicia by crossing the Os Santos bridge over the beautiful Eo river.

Ribadeo is a fishing village that expanded between the 16th and 18th centuries thanks to its industrious ports. Sites of interest in its historical center include the Moreno Tower (Torre de los Moreno) built in 1905, the neoclassical town hall, and the Church of Santa María del Campo, which has elements of gothic style.

As Catedrais beach is 6 miles (10 km) west of Ribadeo. The powerful waves of the Cantabrian Sea have washed over this beach in A Mariña, Lugo over millennia to form these impressive natural rock formations. The sand bank, originally named Holy Waters Beach (Playa de Augas Santas), features enormous rocky arches and caves that are only accessible at low tide.

Further along the Northern Way, the route guides pilgrims towards Vilanova de Lourenzá. This locality sprung up around the magnificent Monastery of San Salvador. The monastery's beautiful façade is a work by Fernando de Casas and bears a resemblance to the Obradoiro façade in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, which was designed by the same architect.

The next town along this route, Mondoñedo, is just 5 miles (8 km) away. The historic town center is one of the most intriguing and best-preserved sites in Galicia. The most important sites to visit in this town are the bishop's palace, la Fonte Vella, the Convent of San Pedro de Alcántara, and, of course, the cathedral.

Mondoñedo Cathedral and the surrounding streets are of great historical importance. The cathedral is of gothic origin and features an exciting combination of historical styles, while the square outside is one of the most unique and elegant squares in Galicia.

Bishop Diego de Soto ordered the famous Fonte Vella monument to be built in 1548. The sponsor's emblem and the imperial coat of arms of Carlos V can be seen on the front. This monument is mentioned in works by the writer Álvaro Cunqueiro, who was born and lived a just few yards from it.

Between the small towns along the Northern Way lie landscapes of low mountain ranges, which are typical of Lugo province. The Northern Way succeeds in achieving a harmonious balance between art, nature, and history.

In contrast with typical Galician countryside, A Terra Chá is a vast plain of green pastures riddled with rivers, lagoons, and wetlands that are essential to the local ecology. The area is also home to some of Galicia's historic and artistic sites, such as Castro de Viladonga (Viladonga Fort), the necropolis of Santa Mariña, the Church of Santiago de Barbadelo, and Torre de Amarante (the Tower of Amarante) in Antas de Ulla.

The next stop-off along the route is Vilalba, the regional capital of A Terra Chá. This town has noble origins dating back to the Counts of Andrade and Lemos. In the Plaza de Santa María (Santa María square), there is a church, also called Santa María, that was built between the 17th and 18th century.

As in many towns along the Way, the pilgrim hostels offer contrasting contemporary accommodation. The pilgrim hostel in Vilalba is one such example, as it is a perfectly geometric building with an entrance that opens onto an outdoor veranda.

This footbridge, along with the chapel, fountain, and carballeira (indigenous oak forest) that can be found in this enclave, make it one of the most picturesque locations of all the Way routes in Galicia.

Terras do Miño is known for the richness of its wetland flora and fauna. One of the wetland areas is called Sobrado, and the Way runs through part of its border. This artificial reserve was established by monks in the nearby Sobrado Abbey (Monasterio de Sobrado dos Monxes).

Sobrado Abbey was founded in the 10th century and was one of the most powerful in Galicia. It became a leading Cistercian abbey in the peninsula and has welcomed pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The abbey was so prosperous that it was almost completely rebuilt during the Modern Age. Nowadays, it serves as a hostel for pilgrims doing the St. James Way.

The abbey's church was built in the 17th century and is one of the greatest baroque churches in Spain. Geometric and foliate patterns decorate the walls, vaults, and the church's astonishing dome, which looks as though it is suspended in midair.

The magnificent Sobrado Abbey is the last monumental landmark of the Northern Way before Santiago de Compostela. This historic route directly descends in a diagonal direction towards the city of Santiago de Compostela, though nowadays pilgrims can also switch to doing the last 24 miles (38 km) of the French Way from Arzúa. Either route offers pilgrims a journey full of history related to Saint James the Greater.