Galicia
FOOD & RECIPES
Although they are more commonly associated with Latin American cuisine, empanadas actually originated in Galicia and Portugal. Typically, a Galician empanada will be bigger and flatter than the ones you find in Argentina. These filling meat pies come with a variety of fillings, but the most popular is probably empanada de atún – tuna pie).
Simply called caldo in Galicia, Caldo Gallego (Galician broth) is a hearty soup dish that’s packed with vegetables. Potatoes are boiled with fat white beans, as well as greens including grelos, cabbage, or collard greens. The key ingredient is unto, a kind of lard made from dried pork belly. Sometimes chorizo, ham or other cuts of pork are added too.
Common octopus thrive in the colder waters of Northern Spain’s coast, so they’re one of the most common seafood. Galicia has a unique way of preparing octopus, which is probably the most famous traditional Galician food.
The octopus is boiled in a copper pot, chopped into medallions, and served with olive oil, paprika, and salt. This iconic Galician dish is known as pulpo a la feira, or polbo á feira in Galician. The name translates to “fair-style octopus”. This is because the dish is commonly served at fairs and festivals, and always on a wooden plate. It’s such an iconic dish that it’s often called pulpo a la gallega, or Galician octopus. (Source: Emily Luxton Travels)
DANCE
An Observation — It looks like the Galicians like to dance with their arms in the air. Most of the dances involve circles and lines. All the videos are traditional folk dances with dancers in traditional costumes.
It is a dance of playful character, with a social component expressing gallantry. It is somewhat more permissive of improvisation than other folk dances; improvised in fiestas and exhibitions. Some interpreters have added increased complexity to their traditional choreography. It is played at a fast tempo. (from Wikipedia)
Irish dance vs Galician traditional dance
Galician Folk Dances
HISTORICAL SITES
Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela — The Cathedral in Compostela where it is believed that St. James’ remains are buried. St. James Day celebrations are canceled for 2021 due to the pandemic. This was set to be a very special year on the Camino de Santiago, as it is considered a Holy Year or Ano Xacobeo. This means the Feast of St James falls on a Sunday, which only happens every few years.
Knowing what a special year it was, Santiago Cathedral called upon Pope Francis for an extension of the Holy Year to 2022. An emissary from Rome delivered the good news of the extension shortly before the opening ceremonies began in the last days of 2020. There are a couple unique occurrences in a Holy Year. The first is that it is the only time that the Door of Mercy (also known as the Porta Santa) is available to enter the cathedral. The second is that If you complete a pilgrimage to Santiago in a holy year and participate in certain sacraments (religious observances) you are granted the plenary indulgence, or spiritual pardon. So, if you want to enjoy these special additions while walking the Camino, your opportunities are in 2022 or waiting until 2027.
Muralla Romana de Lugo: World Heritage Site — The walls of Lugo were built in the latter part of the 3rd century to defend the Roman town of Lucus. The entire circuit survives intact and is the finest example of late Roman fortifications in western Europe.
The Tower of Hercules: World Heritage Site — The Tower of Hercules has served as a lighthouse and landmark at the entrance of La Coruna harbour in north-western Spain since the late 1st century A.D. when the Romans built the Farum Brigantium. The Tower, built on a 57 metre high rock, rises 55 meters, of which 34 were done by the Romans. Twenty-one meters were added in the 18th century by architect Eustaquio Giannini. Immediately adjacent to the base of the Tower is a small rectangular Roman building. The site also features a sculpture par, the Monte dos Bicos rock carvings from the Iron Age and a Muslim cemetery. The lighthouse is the only fully preserved Roman lighthouse that is still used for maritime signaling.