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From Fisterra to Muxía: a stroll at the end of the world
By Xunta de Galicia | 01/04/2017
The section from Fisterra to Muxía involves following once it reaches Santiago de Compostela and transcends the usual Camino de Santiago. But fate is the ocean and its immense sunsets from the coast known as the end of the earth. In this article you will learn why it is worthwhile to continue towards the sea after arriving in Santiago, how the Fisterra stage is to Muxía and what its main routes are.
Destination Fisterra: a stroll through the end of the world
The prerogative peoples believed that the Costa da Morte was the place where the souls ascended to heaven: a mythical and symbolic space that left open the Roman conquerors who saw the sun disappear behind the immense ocean. Since then, the end of Cap Fisterra magnetizes each visitor equally.
The section of the Camino de Santiago that passes from Fisterra to Muxía is the most faithful expression of this historic cry of the pilgrim, who exclaims ultreia! (Let's go further! "), while another responds, et suseia! (And go up! "). Indeed, many pilgrims after reaching the goal of Santiago de Compostela decide to know this end of the world, and do not hesitate to overcome the sacrifices of the hard days past to walk now, at least four or five more days. There are 89 kilometers left to Fisterra, and 87 kilometers to Muxía.
Route history
The history of this route from Cape Fisterra to Muxía has been a mixture of paganism and subsequent Christianization process. Beginning in the 12th century, the Codex Calixtino has already linked this section of the road with the Jacobean tradition.
In addition, two of the most popular religious devotions in Galicia have in Fisterra and Muxía its headquarters: they are the Holy Christ of Fisterra and the shrine of the Virxe da Barca de Muxía.
What is the section from Fisterra to Muxía like?
In the past we will have left a beautiful initial exit from Santiago de Compostela between Carballeiras (robles) centenarias and the course of the poetic river Sarela; then, the passage through the medieval village of Negreira or the cattle region of Xallas.
The double toponym of this section of the road, Fisterra and Muxía, indicates that there are two final destinations of this end after the goal. In Olveiroa, the road is bifurcated: we can reach Fisterra first through Corcubion or Muxía. Whatever our decision, it is obligated to walk between the two villas on an impressive path of light and nature in its maximum expression.