The last stage is, for the walker, a tour of scenes of apostolic legend: Iria Flavia, early medieval bishopric, precursor of the Compostela diocese, the Lupario fort, fortress of the Raíña Lupa. The pilgrim continues towards Compostela, through Porta de Maniños and the outstanding sanctuary of A Escravitude. The path ascends, in an inconspicuous but constant way, through Cruces, Anguieira de Suso and A Picaraña. Upon reaching Faramello and Rúa de Francos, the enigmatic Castro de Francos stands out to the west with its mountainous silhouette.

One of the oldest cruise ships in Galicia is preserved in Rúa de Francos, in a picturesque crossroads. The Camino continues, avoiding the N-550 highway, until the populated town of Milladoiro, almost the gateway to the city of the Apostle. We still have to visit places like the castle of A Rocha Forte, a fortress that once belonged to the Compostela archbishops. A long detour leads the pilgrim's steps through the parish of Conxo, where the landscape becomes urban. It remains to take Rúa Volta do Castro and Avda. Rosalía de Castro, to enter, through Porta Faxeira, the historic Compostela and cover, along Rúa de Francos, the last steps to the Cathedral and the apostolic tomb.

Sanctuary of A Escravitude

We continue our journey through the town hall of Padrón until we reach the Santuario da Nosa Señora da Escravitude. The origins of the building, the work of José Sanmartín, date back to the 16th century, but it was completed at the end of the 19th century. On the outside, the two tall towers and the access staircase stand out. Inside, the gold altarpiece of the main altar stands out, as well as the images and mural paintings that represent the events that led to the creation of the temple, linked to the Holy Fountain, which is located in the vicinity of the sanctuary. Tradition says that a sick man, who was heading to Santiago to cure his ailments, stopped to drink at this fountain, asking the Virgin for help.

After three days, the man was completely cured, and his story attracted many devotees who came to the place, making numerous donations that helped build the temple.

Santiago's cathedral

After six long days of crossing from the lands of Barbanza, we finally arrived at our destination: Santiago de Compostela. We will cross the stone streets of the old city, breathing in its timeless atmosphere, until we reach the Plaza del Obradoiro, where the Cathedral of Santiago stands imposingly. It is the most notable work of Romanesque art in Spain, as well as one of the most important places in the Christian world. For hundreds of years, this has been the destination of millions of pilgrims who arrive in Compostela following the different variants of the Camino to visit the tomb of the Apostle. The original temple was erected in the 9th century, after the discovery of the tomb of Santiago, but it was rebuilt and renovated on successive occasions. With the passage of time, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements were added to the Romanesque plan, among which the work of Mestre Mateo in the prodigious Pórtico de la Gloria stands out. Currently, with a thousand years of existence, the Cathedral presents a complex set of spaces of about 10,000 square meters.