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USACity Overview One of the most beautiful of all Spanish cities, Santiago de Compostela has been a travellers’ destination for so long that it boasts the oldest hotel in the world – the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. The city is also the subject of the first guidebook in history – the early 12th-century Codex Calixtinus – part of which details the famous pilgrim route, the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James). The city's importance in the history of Christianity is such that it is the third holiest site in Christendom, after Jerusalem and Rome. A national monument, Santiago de Compostela’s artistic and historical importance was confirmed when, in 1993, the entire city was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was further corroborated when it became a European city of culture for the year 2000. Today, Santiago de Compostela remains an exquisitely preserved medieval cathedral town, centred on the shrine of the apostle James, after whom the city is named. The winding narrow streets of the Old Quarter are built from local granite and on clear days, the warm and golden stone glows in the sunlight. Even on the more frequent rainy days, the facades glisten beguilingly – the Praza do Obradoiro, with the great Baroque façade of the Cathedral, is especially glorious. The entire Old Quarter is a honeycomb of architectural charm, perfect for exploring on foot. The poet Salvador García Bodaño wrote: ‘Compostela is a long street, In the memory, Where the names and the hours That each person remembers wanders...’ Santiago de Compostela is almost entirely Romanesque and Baroque – the city’s 18th-century ecclesiastical patrons lavished so much wealth on this particular architectonic approach that it evolved into a style known as Galician Baroque. The city is far more than a mere stone relic. The Way of St James is still an enormously popular pilgrim’s route, drawing thousands of people every year from around the world to the Cathedral – as, indeed, it has for the whole of the last millennium. The 730km (454-mile) walk from Roncevalles culminates in the Pilgrim’s Mass, at noon each day, with the great botafumeiro (incense burner) swinging above the heads of worshippers in the Cathedral transept, dispensing clouds of sweet-smelling incense. The image of Santiago (St James) in the form of the scallop shell is evident around the city, an important symbol since the 11th century. While its origin is a mystery, it continues to be worn by pilgrims today. Situated in the very northwest of the country, some 40km (25 miles) from the coast, Santiago de Compostela is one of the wettest places in Spain. The damp climate means that it is wet in winter and humid in summers, while evenings can be chilly. As the capital of the region, it has a key role within the province of Galicia. The region itself is strongly defined, with a distinct Celtic strain and a self-conscious and aggressively self-promoting regional identity. While its writers may hymn the Celtic mysteries of the characteristic Galician forests and misty groves, Santiago de Compostela is also the focus of modern broadcasting, press and publishing enterprises designed to reinforce Galego (Galician) as a language and a unifying cultural force. Santiago de Compostela’s famous university attracts a large number of students, which guarantees the city a youthful ambience. The university (founded in 1501) has long given a lively buzz of activity to the city’s bars, cafés and restaurants. Small enough to be strongly influenced by its university, Santiago de Compostela revels in a continuously refreshed influx of youthful energy and inventiveness that treats the grand stone edifices as the most superb of stage sets. Language Although Santiago de Compostela is a Spanish-speaking city where Castilian is an accepted tongue, the true local language is Galician. This is a Romance language related to Spanish but also with strong affinities to Portuguese, especially in vocabulary and syntax. Over 90% of the region’s population are estimated to understand Galician, and it is prevalent in rural areas and on local radio. Phrases Yes - Sí No - No Hello - Hola Goodbye - Adios Please - Por favor Thank you - Gracias My name is … - Me ilamo … How are you? - Qué tal estás? I’m very well - Estoy muy bien I feel ill - Me siento mal How much does it cost? - Cuantó es? Do you speak English? - Habla inglés? I don’t understand - No entiendo Where is …? - Dónde está …? Entrance - Entrada Exit - Salida Danger - Peligro Open - Abierto Closed - Cerrado Toilets - Servicios Doctor - Médico Hotel - Hotel Restaurant - Restauránte Beer - Cerveza Wine - Vino Menu - Carta Today - Hoy Tomorrow - Mañana Monday - Lunes Tuesday - Martes Wednesday - Miércoles Thursday - Jueves Friday - Viernes Saturday - Sábado Sunday - Domingo One - Un / uno / una Two - Dos Three - Tres Four - Cuatro Five - Cinco Six - Seis Seven - Siete Eight - Ocho Nine - Nueve Ten - Diez Twenty - Veinte Thirty - Treinta Forty - Cuarenta Fifty - Cincuenta Sixty - Sesenta Seventy - Setenta Eighty - Ochenta Ninety - Noventa One Hundred - Cien One Thousand - Mil Getting There By Air Aeropuerto de Lavacolla, Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) Tel: (981) 547 500 (24-hour information). Santiago de Compostela’s airport is situated 11km (7.5 miles) to the northeast of the city. There are daily flights to Barcelona, Bilbao, London and Madrid, as well as weekly flights to Buenos Aires, Geneva, New York and Zurich. Major airlines: Spain’s national airline, Iberia (tel: (902) 400 500 or (981) 597 550 or 572 024, for reservations; website: www.iberia.com), Air Europa (tel: (981) 594 950; website: www.aireuropa.com) and Spanair (tel: (981) 567 022; website: www.spanair.es) all operate flights to Santiago de Compostela. Approximate flight times to Santiago de Compostela: From London is 2 hours; from New York is 9 hours 40 minutes; from Los Angeles is 16 hours; from Toronto is 11 hours and from Sydney is 26 hours. Airport facilities: Services include duty free, shops, a bank (Banco Pastor) and bureau de change, restaurants, cafés and car hire services from Avis, Hertz and Europcar. Business facilities: None. Arrival/departure tax: Included in the ticket price. Transport to the city: Local Trapsa Enterprise (tel: (981) 581 815 or 580 454; fax: (981) 580 663) buses to the city centre run from 0715 (0830 on Sunday). The last bus leaves the airport at 2330 (2200 on Saturday). The cost is approximately EUR1.50 (journey time – 20 minutes). Taxis to central Santiago de Compostela (journey time – 15 minutes) operate 24 hours – the fare is approximately EUR15.00. Getting There By Water Galicia has a strong maritime tradition and, although inland, Santiago de Compostela is close enough to the Galician coast to have several ports of access for smaller vessels. Vigo, Pontevedra and A Coruña are the chief local ports. The nearest major ferry ports are Santander (tel: (942) 214 500) and Bilbao (tel: (944) 234 477), both on the north coast of Spain. Facilities at Santander include a cafeteria, supermarket and Hertz car hire. Bilbao is much smaller with only basic facilities. The drive from both ports is popular, albeit long, because it gives drivers the choice of following the old Pilgrim’s Way or the north coast route along Spain’s Costa Verde. There are separate port authorities for the various ports and harbours around Spain – Santander (tel: (942) 203 600; website: www.puertosantander.es) and Bilbao (tel: (944) 871 200; website: www.bilbaoport.es). Ferry services: Britanny Ferries (tel: (0870) 556 1600, UK number; website: www.brittanyferries.co.uk) runs services from Plymouth to Santander (March-November/December), while P&O Ferries (tel: (0870) 242 4999, UK number; website: www.poportsmouth.com) has regular crossings from Portsmouth to Bilbao. Arrival/departure tax: None. Transport to the city: The usual approach to Santiago de Compostela is by road (journey time – 9 hours) and there are two buses a day from Santander (journey time – 11 hours). Trains leave daily, twice from Santander via Palencia (journey time – 12 hours) and once from Bilbao (journey time – 11 hours). Getting There By Road Motorways (Autopista) are prefixed by the letter ‘A’, while highways (Autovía) and other major roads (Carretera Nacional) are indicated by either two Roman numerals or, more commonly, three digits. Many motorways have tolls and rates are shown at tollbooths – cash is preferred, although major credit cards may also be accepted. Traffic drives on the right. No person under 18 years may hire or drive a vehicle over 75cc. Seatbelts are compulsory for front-seat passengers and for back-seat passengers, if belts are fitted. Crash helmets must be worn on motorcycles and dipped headlights used during the day. After sunset, sidelights must be used at all times – spare bulbs and red hazard triangles must be kept in all vehicles. The speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 120kph (75mph) on motorways, 100kph (62mph) on dual carriageways, 90kph (56mph) on roads outside built-up areas, 50kph (31mph) within towns and 20kph (12mph) in residential areas. Fines for traffic offences are strictly enforced. On the spot fines for traffic violations are hefty and can range from EUR300 to EUR600. The legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05%. Drivers who fail an alcohol test are subject to fines of up to EUR600. Foreign visitors require a valid driving licence to drive in Spain. National licences from EU countries are accepted – nationals of other countries, including the USA, Canada and Australia, are advised to obtain an International Driving Permit. Third-party insurance is required and documents should be carried at all times. A Green Card is compulsory for visitors bringing their own vehicles. Breakdown services and motoring information can be obtained from the Real Automobile Club Espana – RACE (tel: (900) 200 093; website: www.race.es), which has reciprocal agreements with the AA or RAC in Britain and AAA in America. Emergency breakdown service: RACE (902) 12044 Alternatively, drivers can contact the Ayuda en Carretera via the roadside SOS telephones, located on both sides of the carriageway at two kilometre intervals, who will contact the breakdown services. Routes to the city: Santiago de Compostela can be reached by road from major cities in Spain and Portugal but a common alternative route is along the Pilgrim’s Way via Santander, running parallel to Spain’s north coast. The A9 is the major north–south route running through the city. The national roads, N547 and N525, have route connections to the A6/NVI, which branches off southeasterly toward León (connected by the N120 and N630), Valladolid (connected by the E80/N620) and finally to the capital, Madrid. Driving times to Santiago de Compostela: From León – 4 hours; from Valladolid – 6 hours 40 minutes; from Madrid – 6 hours. Coach services: Estación Central de Autobuses, San Caetano (tel: (981) 587 700), to the northeast of the city centre, is the main terminus for international coach services. The coach operator, Castromil (tel: (981) 555 760; fax: (981) 572 033; website: www.castromil.com), runs coach services from Madrid and other major Spanish cities, as well as from Portugal and other foreign destinations. The other major coach operator is Intercar/Alsa (tel: (902) 422 242 or (981) 586 133; website: www.alsa.es). SAIA (tel: (981) 574 537) has services to Barcelona via Zaragoza. Getting There By Rail RENFE (tel: (902) 240 202, for 24-hour national enquiries and reservations or (93) 490 1122, for international enquiries; website: www.renfe.es) operates the Spanish rail network, which radiates from Madrid to all the major cities. There are also transversal routes and services running from the French border down the Mediterranean coast. Spanish trains are relatively punctual, reasonably priced and usually clean. Seat reservations are required on all inter-city trains. The principal station, Hórreo, Rúa de Hórreo, off Avenida de Lugo (tel: (981) 591 160), is centrally located, just to the south of the Old Quarter. As well as left-luggage, there are car hire services, tourist information and currency exchange facilities. Rail services: There are three daily services from Madrid (journey time – 7 hours 45 minutes) – two during the day and an overnight sleeper, the Trenhotel Talgo. There is also one daily cross-country train linking the city with Bilbao (journey time – 1 hour), for the ferry or flights (journey time – 11 hours) and San Sebastian (journey time – 11 hours 15 minutes), for trains to France. For those arriving in Santander by ferry, there is a daily service via Palencia (journey time – 12 hours). There are connections to Oporto in Portugal via Vigo and regular local services to A Coruña (journey time – 1 hour 15 minutes). Transport to the city: From the station it is only a ten-minute walk to Praza de Galicia. Alternatively, visitors can take the public transport bus C2. Getting Around Public Transport Buses in Santiago de Compostela are provided by Trapsa Enterprise (tel: (981) 581 815 or 580 454; fax: (981) 580 663). Services are reliable and operate regularly between 0730 and 2230. A standard city-centre bus ticket costs EUR0.60. A bonobus ticket (EUR4.50 for ten trips) can be purchased on the bus. Taxis Municipal taxis are white with a green light and can be safely hailed in the street. There also are many taxi ranks around the city. These include the railway station (tel: (981) 591 908), bus station (tel: (981) 582 450), central area (tel: (981) 575 959), Porta de Faxeiras (tel: (981) 585 973) and 24-hour services at Praza de Roxa (tel: (981) 595 964) and Praza de Galicia (tel: (981) 561 028). The initial charge is EUR2.50. It is common to give a tip of between 5% and 10% of the total fare. Limousines There is no company offering a limousine hire service in Santiago de Compostela. However, Mercedes 500s are available for hire from Farocars, Rúa Santa Marta de Arriba 61-63 (tel: (981) 523 498; fax: (981) 523 694) for approximately EUR200.00 per day (plus tax). Driving in the City There tends to be a fair amount of traffic in Santiago de Compostela and traffic jams can be expected, particularly when it rains heavily. Rush hours are around 1300-1400 when everyone races home for lunch and again in the evening from 2000 onwards. The Old Quarter of Santiago de Compostela is small and compact – it is best for visitors to walk, as it can be very hard to find a place to park in the narrow streets and much of the quarter is pedestrianised. Visitors are advised to leave their cars at one of the many car parks around the Old Quarter's perimeter. There are car parks at Praza de Galicia, Rúa de Ramon Pineiro (near the Galician parliament building) and near the police station on Avenida Rodrigo de Padron. Metered parking is available in the city – the cost is between EUR0.75 and EUR1.20 per hour, depending on the car park. Car Hire A valid driving licence is required – national licences from EU countries or an International Driving Permit for non-EU nationals are accepted. The minimum age is usually 21 years – at Avis it is 23 years. Third-party insurance is mandatory in Spain and should be included in the hire price at no extra charge. Cars are available for hire from Atesa (tel: (981) 581 904 or 599 877; website: www.atesa.es), Avis (tel: (981) 596 101 or 590 409; website: www.avis.com), Europcar (tel: (981) 547 740 or tel: (981) 597 477; website: www.europcar.com) and Hertz (tel: (981) 598 893; website: www.hertz.com). Daily rates for hire of a small car start at about EUR50.00 per day, with special rates available for weekend or weekly hire. Bicycle Hire Bicycles are available for hire from Bicitotale, Avenida de Lugo 221 (tel: (981) 564 562), at a cost of EUR15.00 for one day and EUR9.00 for every extra day. Cyclists can also count as genuine pilgrims on the Road of St James, if they cycle at least 200km (124 miles) along the historic route. Cyclists must wear a helmet outside town centres. Business Business Profile As a provincial capital in a predominantly rural region of Spain, Santiago de Compostela serves mainly as a marketing centre for its agricultural hinterland, as well as a nucleus for government and administration. Traditionally an agricultural and fishing economy, Galicia developed neither a strong industrial base nor a great maritime trading tradition and its modern economy has moved straight into the service sector, which now employs over 60% of its population. Unemployment in the region is slightly lower than the national average of 13%, at 12.1%. The chief employers in Santiago de Compostela are Financiera Maderera SA and Grupo Finsa (both timber and boarding), Grupo Televes (electronics), Ferrovial SA and Proincasa SA (both construction), CRTVG (Compañía de Radio – Televisión de Galicia) and Televisión de Galicia SA (both broadcasting). The last two reflect the city’s importance as the capital of Galicia. Most businesses are based in the modern centre of the city, while the broadcasting companies are located approximately five kilometres (three miles) outside the city, near Vilamaior. Galician media and cultural organisations have a significant presence. The regional government and administrative apparatus also is a significant employer, while tourism accounts for 12% of the workforce. Finally, the university provides plenty of service and ancillary work for locals, by virtue of the fact that it has over 40,000 students. Business Etiquette Business hours are generally 0900-1800, with a break for lunch between 1300 and 1400. These hours may vary depending on the size and type of organisation. Punctuality is important. Both men and women should wear a suit for business meetings – men should also wear a tie. Business cards should be exchanged after introduction. All Spaniards have two family names – only the first is used in conversation but any academic or professional titles should be acknowledged. Galego (Galician) may be used in a business setting among local speakers, otherwise Castilian Spanish is used. Many international business people will also speak English or French. Business is sometimes combined with meals, although this is not widely practised, as many Spaniards go home for ‘siesta’ over lunch (from approximately 1330-1630). Evening entertainment often focuses on excursions for tapas, which is largely a social event. Invitations to private homes are rare. On these occasions, however, a gift of chocolates, pastries or flowers is appreciated – chrysanthemums and dahlias should be avoided, as they are associated with death. It is very important for business visitors to appreciate the fierce sense of regional pride among the Spanish people, particularly in Galicia. Ignorant comments, jokes and criticisms concerning the region will be considered serious insults. Santiago de Compostella is also a highly religious city and any profanities will not be appreciated. Sightseeing Sightseeing Overview Santiago de Compostela’s Old Quarter is often styled a ‘living museum’, with the Cathedral and other jewels placed in a magnificent setting of winding paved and arcaded streets, granite walls and smaller monuments that create a superb ambience. The Cathedral itself is flanked by several celebrated squares – Praza do Obradoiro, Praza das Praterias, Praza da Quintana and Praza da Inmaculada. Picturesque avenues and alleys radiate out from this centre, around which the city developed, to the other squares and sights of the Old Quarter – the Convento de San Francisco, the University and the Praza de Cervantes. Tourist Information Oficina de Información de Turismo da Xunta de Galicia (Santiago de Compostela municipal tourist information office) Rúa do Vilar 43. Tel: (981) 584 081. Fax: (981) 565 178. E-mail: turgalicia@xunta.es Website: www.turgalicia.es Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1400 and 1600-1900, Sat 1100-1400 and 1700-1900, Sun 1100-1400. Incolsa – Información y Comunicación Local (Santiago de Compostela local information) Rúa do Vilar 63 Tel: (981) 555 129. E-mail: info@santiagoturismo.com Website: www.santiagoturismo.com Opening hours: Daily 0800-2200 (summer); daily 1000-1430 (winter). Another Incolsa office can be found on Praza de Galicia. The Oficina del Peregrinos, Rúa do Vilar 1 (tel: (981) 562 419), is the source of information on pilgrimages, while the Oficina de Información de Xacobeo, Avenida de la Coruña 6 (tel: (981) 572 004; website: www.xacobeo.es), provides details on pilgrimages and xacabeo. Passes There are no tourist passes currently available in Santiago de Compostela. Key Attractions Praza do Obradoiro (Obradoiro or Workplace Square) The key attraction of Santiago de Compostella is the Cathedral. From the Praza do Obradroiro, its enormity and sheer grandeur is first appreciated. Sharing the name of the great Baroque façade that is one of its centrepieces, the paved Cathedral square comprises a whole ensemble of architectural gems. Probably the best surviving example of Romanesque civic architecture in Spain, the Pazo de Xelmírez (next to the Cathedral cloisters) has a perfect vaulted medieval interior behind its 18th-century façade. On the north side of the square, the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, with its four courtyards, was built by Ferdinand and Isabella, as a pilgrim hospice and is now one of Spain’s loveliest parador hotels. The Colexio de San Xerome is a smaller medieval building with a finely decorated 15th-century portal, while the Colexio de Fonseca, immediately behind it, is a Renaissance college decorated inside and out. The newest monument in the square, the elegant Pazo de Raxoi, is a neo-classical palace and former seminary, now housing local government offices. The streets and lanes opening off the square lead to other lovely parts of the Old Quarter. Praza do Obradoiro Transport: Bus 10 to Praza de Galicia and then a short walk. Pazo de Xelmírez (Palace of Archbishop Xelmirez) Praza do Obradoiro Tel: (981) 572 300. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1330 and 1600-1930 (Apr-Sep). Admission: EUR1.20. Hostal dos Reis Católicos Praza do Obradoiro 1 Tel: (981) 582 200. E-mail: santiago@parador.es Website: www.parador.es Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Catedral de Santiago de Compostela For many centuries, the city has been the destination for pilgrimages. Its oldest parts are Romanesque, commenced in 1075, although much of the modern fabric of the Cathedral is brilliant Baroque. The magnificently decorated 18th-century Obradoiro façade – the ‘workplace’ façade, named after the stonecutters who worked there during the construction of the Cathedral – was created by the Santiago-born architect, Fernando de Casas y Novoa, who superimposed it on the original Romanesque plan of the basilica. Just inside is the Pórtico da Gloria, a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture that once opened onto the square with almost 200 sculptures of Galician granite, dating from 1188. Look for the fingerholes worn into the stone over the years, by pilgrims who, giving thanks at the end of their lengthy journey, prayed with the fingers of one hand pressed into the roots of the Tree of Jesse, below St James. From here, the great nave opens towards the chancel and the monumental Baroque high altar, below which lie the relics of St James, in a Roman mausoleum. The crossing lantern houses the suspension mechanism for the botafumeiro. This is a huge Baroque censer whose pendulum swings down the entire length of the transepts during special ceremonies, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. There are many smaller beauties within the Cathedral, including the Chapel of La Corticela – dating from the Cathedral’s foundation – the ornate Chapel of El Pilar and the finely worked Mondragón Chapel. The façade at the opposite end of the Cathedral from the Obradoiro façade has a beautifully ornamental clock tower, the Torre de la Trinidad, as well as the famous Puerta Santa (Holy Door). This is opened only during the years when the Feast of St James (25 July) is on a Sunday – the last one was in 1999. Praza do Obradoiro Tel: (981) 583 548. Fax: (981) 571 434. Transport: Bus 10 to Praza de Galicia and then a short walk. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1100-1300 and 1600-1800, Sun 1000-1330 and 1600-1900. Admission: Free. Museo y Tesoro de la Catedral (Cathedral Museum and Treasury) Housed in the lovely 16th-century Cathedral cloisters, the Cathedral Museum holds relics of the long history of Santiago de Compostela, as well as the Archive and Library. The Cathedral treasures stored here, include the botafumeiro (giant incense box), when it is not being. The archaeological section includes fragments of the original Romanesque Cathedral structure, while the tapestry galleries have splendid French and Spanish hangings. Praza do Obradoiro and Praza das Praterías Tel: (981) 560 527. Fax: (981) 563 366 633. Transport: Bus 10 to Praza de Galicia and then a short walk. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1100-1330 and 1630-1830, Sun and public holidays 1000-1330 and 1600-1900. Admission: EUR3.00. Praza da Quintana (Quintana Square) Quintana Square, with its flight of steps that divide it into the curiously named Quintana of the Living and Quintana of the Dead, faces the apse of the Cathedral, with its famous Holy Door and Royal Door. The Convento de San Paio de Antealtares, opposite the Cathedral, is one of the city’s oldest foundations. Dating to the ninth century, it originally housed Benedictine nuns. It has a stark façade with 48 barred windows, leavened by some charming sculptural decorations around the doors. The monastery church is a Baroque design on a Greek cross plan, with a lovely shell-covered dome. Also on the square, the Casa da Parra is a Baroque mansion with suitably florid trimmings. Praza da Quintana Transport: Bus 10 to Praza de Galicia and then a short walk. Praza das Praterías (Silversmith's Sqare) The Silversmith’s Square has, at its centre, the ornate Fuente de los Caballos, a fountain of four horses with webbed feet. The arcades around the square are still lined with many shops selling silver articles. Praza das Praterías Transport: Bus 10 to Praza de Galicia and then a short walk. San Martiño Pinario Monastery The Praza da Inmaculada is dominated by the grand Baroque façade of the Benedictine monastery of San Martiño Pinario. The monastery church houses a vast altarpiece that depicts its patron riding alongside St James. Praza da Inmaculada Transport: Bus 10 to Praza de Galicia and then a short walk. Opening hours Tues-Sun 1030-1340 and 1630-1830. Admission: EUR3.00. Further Distractions Museo das Pereginacións (Pilgrimage Museum) Small but fascinating, this museum is dedicated to the thousand years of history that precedes the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Rúa de San Miguel 4. Tel: (981) 581 558. Fax: (981) 591 955. E-mail: informacion@mdperegrinacions.com Website: www.xunta.es/conselle/cultura/museos Transport: Bus 6, 10, 11, 15 or 2 to Basquinos, then a short walk. Opening hours: Tues-Fri 1000-2000, Sat 1030-1330 and 1700-2000, Sun 1030-1330. Admission: EUR3.00; free on Sundays. Centro Galego de Arte Contemparánea (Galician Centre of Contemporary Art) This dramatic new modern art gallery, just outside the Porta do Camino, was designed by the Portuguese architect, Álvaro Siza. It stands next to the Museo do Pobo Galego but shows a very different aspect of Galician life, with its permanent collection of modern Galician art. There is also space for a wide variety of temporary exhibitions, from installations by Rebecca Horn to sculptures by Francisco Leiro. Rúa Valle Inclán Tel: (981) 546 629/19. Fax: (981) 546 625 E-mail: cgac@mail.xunta.es Website: www.cgac.org Transport: Bus 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 or 11. Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1100-2000, Sun 1100-1400. Admission: Free. Museo do Pobo Galego (Museum of the Galician People) Housed in a 14th-century convent, this museum is devoted to the history of the Galician people, from their Celtic origins onwards. There are extensive archaeological and ethnographic displays, exhibits of traditional architecture, as well as models and displays showing local trades and crafts. The convent’s beautiful Gothic chapel also contains the Pantheon of Famous Galicians. Convento de San Domingos de Bonaval, Rúa de Valle Inclán 3 Tel: (981) 583 620. Fax: (981) 554 840. E-mail: museodopobo@interbook.net Website: www.museodopobo.es Transport: Bus 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 or 11. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1300 and 1600-2000, Sat 1000-1300 and 1600-1900. Admission: Free. Museo Eugenio Granell An exciting gallery dedicated to modern art, the Museo Eugenio Granell is housed in an 18th-century manor house. Works in the permanent collection include such illustrious names as Picasso, Miró, Bretón and Duchamp. Pazo de Bendaña, Praza do Toural. Tel: (981) 576 394. Fax: 981 564 069. E-mail: info@fundacion-granell.org Website: www.fundacion-granell.org Transport: Any bus to the edge of the Old Quarter, then walk. Opening hours: Mon and Wed-Sat 1100-2100, Sun 1100-1400. Admission: EUR1.80; free on Sun. Parque Alameda This area of parkland between the Old Quarter and the University is laid out with Galician oak trees and gardens. Perfect for strolling through, it also gives one of the best views of the city from the Ferradura promenade. The Carballeira (oak wood) overlies a Celtic hill fort and contains a chapel to Santiago de Compostela’s other patron saint, Santa Susanna. Old Quarter Transport: Bus 10 to Praza de Galicia and then a short walk; 100m walk from Praza do Obradoiro Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Tours of the City Walking Tours Walking tours of Santiago de Compostela, taking in the sights of the Old Quarter, are organised by Viajes Atlántico (tel: (981) 585 899; website: www.viajesatlantico.com) on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from July to September. Tours take two hours and cost EUR10.80, departing from the Plaza de Galicia at 1100. Bus Tours Incolsa (tel: (981) 555 129) offers a guided bus tour of Santiago de Compostela and the surrounding region – excluding the pedestrian-only areas of the Old Quarter. The tour, which takes approximately one hour, sets off from Costa de San Francisco, near the Catedral, in the Old Quarter, with departures from 1000 to 1300. The tour costs EUR8.40 and incorporates seven stops – including Alameda, Praza de Glicia and the Area Central Centro Commercial – where passengers can hop off and catch a later bus. Excursions For a Half Day Finisterre: This delightful traditional Galician fishing village is just under 50km (31 miles) from Santiago de Compostela, along the C-543 road, on a cape (cabo) on the western coast of Spain. For the medieval pilgrims, Cabo Finisterre was literally ‘the end of the earth’. It is the westernmost point in all Europe and an ancient holy place for Druids, Romans and Christians. The Costa da Morte (Coast of Death), south of the Cape, is a dramatic landscape of cliffs and sandy beaches. On the south side of the harbour, there are a number of sardiñadas (open-air sardine grills) offering a fine assortment of fresh fish and mariscos (shellfish dishes). A return journey to Finisterre by bus with Transporte Finisterre (tel: (981) 647 041) costs EUR18.00 (journey time – 2 hours 30 minutes). It is a four-kilometre (two-and-a-half mile) walk to the headland, where, at the cape, a lighthouse perches high above the waves. Beyond the lighthouse and the trinket vendors is the viewpoint, Vista Monte do Facho, which offers spectacular views. For a Whole Day A Coruña: The official capital of the province, A Coruña is a thriving port and business centre on the north coast of Spain, approximately 60km (37 miles) from Santiago de Compostela. It also has some fine beaches, a bustling and attractive harbour with a characteristic honeycomb web of white-framed windows on its waterfront and striking tourist sights, most notably the Torre de Hércules (Tower of Hercules), an imposing restored Roman lighthouse, which still functions. The Old Quarter of the city rivals that of Santiago de Compostela, with monuments such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria do Campo. Trains from Santiago de Compostela to A Coruña run regularly (journey time – 1 hour 10 minutes) and cost EUR3.10-3.90 The local tourist information office on Rúa Jardines de Méndez Núñez (tel: (981) 216 161) provides details of attractions. Pontevedra: A distinctly Galician town comprising a maze of alleyways and colonnaded squares, lies 117km (73 miles) southwest of Santiago de Compostela. Pontevedra provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to wander around an ancient city that is both lively and lived in. The Museo Provincial houses a number of paintings by Spanish masters Ribera, Zurbarán and Murillo, although more notably the work of artist, caricaturist and writer Alfonso Castelao – author of Sempre en Galicia (1935-47), a bible of Galician nationalists – celebrating the strength and resilience of the Galician people and their culture. Buses and trains from Santiago de Compostela to Pontevedra run every 30 minutes (journey time – approximately 1 hour for both) and cost EUR3.20-4.05. The local tourist information office is located on Rúa Xeneral Guiterrez Mellado 1 (tel: (986) 850 814; e-mail: turgalicia@xunta.es; website: www.turgalicia.es). Sport Santiago de Compostela is an excellent base for venturing into the Galician hinterland, where numerous outdoor activities – ranging from hiking and horseriding to rock climbing and paragliding – are on offer. Watersports facilities can be found in neighbouring coastal towns, there are also opportunities for canoeing and similar activities on and in the region’s rivers. Within the city, the university offers a number of facilities available to the public all year-round – information is available from the Area de Deportes de la Universidad de Santiago (tel: (981) 584 795; website: www.ti.usc.es/deportes). Football is the most popular spectator sport in Santiago de Compostela. The city’s football team is the Sociedad Deportiva de Compostela (website: www.compostela.org/sd), generally known as ‘el Compostela’. El Compostela is, unfortunately, not a major league team and is currently in the Second Division B (Group One) of the Spanish football league. They play at San Lázaro stadium, Avenida Fernando Casas Nóvoa (tel: (981) 562 606). Tickets to football matches are available at the San Lázaro stadium, while tickets to other sporting events are usually available from the tourist information office. Golf: The Real Aero Club de Santiago, General Pardiñas 34 (tel: (981) 592 400; website: www.aerosantiago.es), has a nine-hole course with green fees of EUR18-25. Not far from Santiago de Compostela, located at O Grove near Pontevedra, is the superb 18-hole island resort course of La Toja (tel: (986) 730 818 or 733 232; website: www.latojagolf.com), where green fees for visitors are approximately EUR70 in high season and EUR20 at other times. There is an 18-hole course at Golf Club de la Coruña, La Zapateira, Arteijo (tel: (981) 285 200), seven kilometres (4 miles) southwest of A Coruña, with green fees of EUR30-42. Swimming: There is a swimming pool at the Complejo Deportivo de Santa Isabel, Rúa Trascultero de Santa Isabel (tel: (981) 586 039). The cost is EUR2.50 for adults. Tennis: The Federación Galega de Tenis (tel: (986) 226 963) provides information on facilities in Santiago de Compostela. There are tennis courts on the university campus (tel: (981) 584 795), available for EUR15 per hour. Shopping Santiago de Compostela has two particular local crafts – jet ware and silverware. The black jet stones are used for jewellery and amulets, while all kinds of silver goods are available for purchase. The shops around the Cathedral stock a good selection of these – many have some association with St James or local traditions. Ceramic tiles, lace, clogs and other artisans’ goods can be found in the craft shops of the Old Quarter. The markets, on the Virxe da Cerca, are excellent venues for exploring the delights of traditional Galician produce and crafts. Pulpeiras (octopus sellers) are a common sight on market days, as are wine and liqueur sellers. If the traditional markets of Santiago de Compostela cannot satisfy shopping urges, visitors can head to the more modern facilities available in the shopping centres near the station, the Polígono de Fontiñas (Monday-Saturday 1000-2200) and around Castiñeiriño. The department store, El Corte Inglés, is located at Rúa do Restallal 50, in the Zona Paxonal (tel: (981) 527 213) and is open Monday-Saturday 1000-2000. In the arcades of Tras de Pilar, there are shops selling the work of the rising generation of young Galician fashion designers. General shopping hours are 1000-1400 and 1630-2000 – the extended lunch break is standard. Spain levies a 7% tax on goods and services (known as IVA). Non-EU visitors, who are in the country for less than 180 days, may claim back the tax at the airport, provided that a tax return slip was obtained from the retailer at the time of purchase. Culture Cultural life in Santiago de Compostela is intimately tied up with the promotion of Galician identity. The university provides continuous input to local cultural life, with plays, film screenings and cultural events constantly taking place during term time. It is no surprise, therefore, that students make up the numbers at most of the Galician parades and cultural festivals. Tickets to cultural events are available direct from the venue. Incolsa, Rúa do Vilar 63 (tel: (981) 555 129; e-mail: info@santiagoturismo.com; website: www.santiagoturismo.com) also sells tickets and sometimes offers special promotions to tourists. Event listings can be found in the El Compostelán and Santiago 7 Días publications, available in bars and cafés and from the tourist office. Music: The Auditorio de Galicia, Avenida do Burgo das Nacions (tel: (981) 571 026, for reservations or 573 855, for information) is the major venue for musical performances in the city. It is also home to the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia. Operas are staged from May (sometimes April) to June. There is also the Xornadas de Musica en Compostela in August, when contemporary music is presented in the antique setting of the Capilla Real of the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, Praza do Obradoiro 1 (tel: (981) 582 200), and at the Auditorio de Galicia. Santiago de Compostela is also one of the best places to hear the local Celtic music. Played on gaitas (bagpipes), local tunas – often groups of students – will a happily provide musical accompaniment to an early evening aperitif on one of the many outdoor bar terraces, for a small tip Theatre: The Centro Dramatico Galego company, Rúa do Vilar 35 (tel: (981) 581 572 or 738; fax (981) 581 987), provides a focus for Galician dramatic expression. The Teatro Principal, Rúa Nova 21 (tel: (981) 586 555), is the city's chief theatrical venue and the national theatre of Galicia. Its output peaks during the celebrations of St James in July, while, over Christmas and New Year, it hosts a puppet festival for children. Alternative theatre is presented at the Teatro Galán, Gomez Ulla 7 (tel: (981) 585 166; e-mail: t-galan@teleline.es; website: www.xacobeo.net/galan), Sala Nasa, San Lourenzo, 51-53 (tel: (981) 573 998), and Salon Teatro, Rúa Nova 34 (tel: (981) 581 111). Dance: Traditional Galician dance is showcased at the street festivals and pageants in Santiago de Compostela. The Teatro Principal, Rúa Nova 21 (tel: (981) 586 555) and the Teatro Galán, Gomez Ulla 7 (tel: (981) 585 166; e-mail: t-galan@teleline.es; website: www.xacobeo.net/galan), also host dance events. Film: The November Cineuropa Festival is Santiago de Compostela’s film festival, organised by the Teatro Principal. Cinemas in the city include Cine Valle-Inclán, Rúa Fernando III El Santo 12 (tel: (981) 597 088), Cine Yago, Rúa do Vilar 51 (tel: (981) 582 029), Cines Area Central, Polígono Fontiñas (tel: (981) 560 394), and Multicines Compostela, Ramón Piñeiro 3-5 (tel: (981) 560 342). There are no cinemas specifically dedicated to arthouse or English-language films – in fact, films are rarely shown in the original version and mostly are dubbed into Spanish. Cultural events: The carnival in late February – Antroido – turns local neighbourhoods into crazy festival sites. In May, Ascension Day brings festivities throughout the city, as well as a cattle fair. There are various processions for different saints throughout the year – St Lazarus in March, St Mark and St Peter in April and La Semana Santa (Holy Week) at Easter. Highlights include Galicia Day and St James the Apostle Day on 25 July. St James’ Day is one of Galicia’s major festivals and it has also been designated Galicia Day, becoming a nationalist event. The festivities and ceremonies around the city last throughout the last two weeks of July, with cultural and political events taking place simultaneously. These involve festivals in honour of St James, Jornadas de Folklore Gallego (Galician Folklore Days) and Festival de Bandas Populares (Popular Music Bands Festival). Literary Notes Galicia has a strong literary tradition, with the writers Ramón María del Valle-Inclán, Rosalía Castro – who wrote in Galician and Castilian – and Camilo José Cela – Nobel Prize-winner for Literature in 1989 – being the most famous flowers in the Galician literary garden. Its modern literary scene is small but intensely active. Santiago de Compostela has attracted attention outside the confines of regional literature. Describing the pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela as the birth of European consciousness, Goëthe said that ‘Europe is the pilgrim son of Santiago’. Less portentously, Gabriel García Márquez said, ‘Santiago de Compostela is a lively city, overrun by a mass of joyous and noisy students, who leave it not the slightest deference to age’. The veteran Spanish Surrealist director, Luis Buñuel, made his characteristically acid comment on the Santiago tradition with The Milky Way (1969), in which two tramps travel the old Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela on a mission from Satan to beget the Antichrist from a prostitute. More recently, Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho has brought the Way of Saint James to international attention in The Pilgrimage (1987). Nightlife Santiago de Compostela is a university city and the nightlife is dominated by the student population. Characterful bars and nightclubs can be found in the Old Quarter and along the Rúa do Franco, some converted from coach-houses or the stables of palaces. These mostly were a deliberate attempt to enliven the district in the evenings, because the real student life goes on in the suburbs. The rectangle defined by Rúa de Santiago de Chile and Rúa de San Pedro de Mezonzo is the focus of this, full of raucous bars swarming with students during term time, especially on Thursday and Friday night. Bars on the Rúa Nova de Abaixo are particularly popular with students Students also make up many of the most dramatic pageants and local festivals. Bars typically close at 2400, while nightclubs stay open until between 0300 and 0500. The official minimum drinking age in bars and clubs is 18 years, however, entry is allowed to anyone over 16 years old. The price of a drink varies drastically, depending on the venue, however a bottle of beer or glass of wine will cost, on average, EUR0.60-1. Event listings can be found in the El Compostelán and Santiago 7 Días publications, available in bars and cafés and from the tourist office. The Galician newspaper, El Correo Gallego (website: www.elcorreogallego.es or www.culturagalega.org) is another good source of nightlife information. Bars: O Gato Negro, Rúa da Raina, is permanently packed with locals and serves ribereiro wine and pulpo galego (Galician-style octopus) among other local tapas (bar snacks), in a traditional setting. A Taberna do Trisquel, Cantón de San Bieito 3, offers wines, beers and snacks from dusk until dawn. Fuco Lois, Rúa Xelmirez, 25 is a rustic pub with marble walls, an antique ambience and a young student clientele, while O Galo d’Ouro, Rúa Conga 14, is a cosy cellar bar. If anyone needs an authentic Irish pub in Santiago de Compostela, there is Moore’s, Rodrigo del Padrón, and Americans in search of a home from home should head to Café-Bar Gran Lucky, Fray Rosendo Salvado 10. The decor of Momo A Rúa, Virxe da Cerca 23, imitates a street, while the wood-decorated Pepa a Loba, Rúa do Castro, is a brewery pub. Down in the newer part of town, near the university, Archy, Alfredo Brañas 20, is the place to start an evening’s drinking. Duplex and Blaster, both located on República de Argentina, are suave and polished, while La Ofisina, Fernando III el Santo 1, is probably the most popular of the newer bars in the city. Casinos: There are no casinos in Santiago de Compostela. The nearest venues can be found in San Sebastian – Nuevo Gran Casino del Kursaal, Urbieta, 6 – Santander – Casino de El Sardinero, Plaza De Italia – and in A Coruña – Casino Del Atlántico, Jardines de Mendez Núñez. Visitors must be 18 years or over and carry a passport or driving licence. A smart dress code applies. Clubs: Pub Ondas, San Miguel 3, transforms from a folksy bar into a hardcore dance venue on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The beautiful people hang out at Casting, Rúa Alfredo Brañas 5, while Liberty, Rúa Alfredo Brañas 8, is one of the busiest places in town. Half pubs, half discos and all energy, Ruta 66, Rúa Perez Constanti, and Factoría, Rúa Gomez, are both near the Praza de Galicia. Live music: Galician folk music is integral to the Galician cultural festivals, and there usually are musical events on every occasion. Much live music in Santiago de Compostela is served up in bars. Under the arcades, at Rúa Nova 13, Retablo offers live music as well as a marble bar and a 19th-century ambience. Casa das Crechas, Vía Sacra 3, is popular with students and features live Galician Celtic music. Jazzclub Dado Dada, Rúa Alfredo Brañas 19, is the best place for jazz in town. For those who like to accompany their jazz with wines and occasional theatrical performances, there is La Borriquita de Belém, Rúa San Paio 22. City Statistics Location: Galicia, central Spain. Country dialling code: 34. Population: 140,000 (city, including 40,000 students); 300,000 (metropolitan area). Ethnic Mix: Majority Spanish Galician, composite of Mediterranean and Nordic. Religion: 93% Roman Catholic, 7% Jewish, Muslim and other. Time zone: GMT +1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard. Average January temp: 8°C (46.5°F). Average July temp: 25°C (77°F). Annual rainfall: 1700mm (67 inches). Special Events Antroido, carnival, late Feb 2003, throughout the city St Lazarus Day, religious procession, Mar, throughout the city Semana Santa (Holy Week), processions, late Mar, week leading up to Easter, throughout the city St Peter’s Day, religious procession, Apr, throughout the city St Mark’s Day, religious procession, Apr, throughout the city Feria del Ganado (Cattle Fair), ten-day culinary festival, May, throughout the city Ascension Day, cattle fair and festivities, 9 May, throughout the city Jornadas de Folklore Gallego (Galician Folklore Days), Jul, throughout the city Festival de Bandas Populares (Populare Music Bands Festival), Jul, various venues Feria del Apostol (Festival of the Apostle), begins with the Fuego del Apostol, a great fireworks display, with the National Offering to the Shrine the following day, begins 24 Jul, Cathedral Galicia Day, 25 Jul, throughout the city St James the Apostle Day, two weeks of festivities and ceremonies, starting 25 Jul, throughout the city Sesiones Didácticas De Estudio Y Conciertos de Música en Compostela (Festival of Classical Music), numerous concerts, Aug-Sep, various venues Cost of Living On 1 January 2002, the Spanish Peseta was replaced by the Euro. One-litre bottle of mineral water: €0.60 33cl bottle of beer: €0.60 Financial Times newspaper: €2.10 36-exposure colour film: €6 City-centre bus ticket: €0.60 Adult football ticket: €9-30 Three-course meal with wine/beer: €6-21 1 Euro (€1) = £0.68; US$1.07; C$1.62; A$1.80; Pta166.39 100 Spanish Pesetas (Pta100) = €0.60 Currency conversion rates as of February 2003 Business Services Business Contacts: Santiago de Compostela Chamber of Commerce San Pedro de Mezonzo 44, 15701 Santiago de Compostela Tel: (981) 596 800. Fax: (981) 590 322. E-mail: ccinsantiago@camerdata.es Website: www.cscamaras.es Spanish Chamber of Commerce (UK) 5 Cavendish Square, London W16 0LH Tel: (020) 7637 9061. Fax: (020) 7436 7188. E-mail: spanishchamber@compuserve.com Website: www.spanishchamber.co.uk Spanish Chamber of Commerce (USA) Suite 2029, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10118 Tel: (212) 967 2170. Fax: (212) 564 1415. E-mail: info@spainuscc.org Website: www.spainuscc.org Spanish Embassy Commercial Office (Canada) 151 Slater Street 801, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H3 Tel: (613) 236 0409. Fax: (613) 563 2849. E-mail: buzon.oficial@ottawa.ofcomes.mcx.es Website: www.docuweb.ca/SpainInCanada Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain (Australia) Suite 408, Edgecliff Centre, 203 New South Head Road, Edgecliff, NSW 2027 Tel: (02) 9362 4212. Fax: (02) 9362 4057. E-mail: buzon.oficial@sidney.ofcomes.mcx.es Convention and meeting planners Atlantico Congresos Plaza Fuenterribia 3, 15702 Santiago de Compostela Tel: (981) 569 040. Fax: (981) 569 042. E-mail: info@atlanticocongresos.com Website: www.atlanticocongresos.com Convention and meeting venues Auditorio de Galicia Avenida Burgo das Nacions, 15705 Santiago de Compostela Tel: (981) 574 152. Fax: (981) 574 250. E-mail: audigal@recynet.com Website: www.audigal.es Cegacongress SA Rúa Eduardo Pondal 8, 15702 Santiago de Compostela Tel: (981) 561 022. Fax: (981) 574 967. Office equipment hire Asitec Calle Anxel 7, Local H2, 15706 Santiago de Compostela Tel/Fax: (981) 530 199. E-mail: asitec@cempresarial.com Provides computers for hire. Secretarial service Centro de Negocios Calle La Rosa 22, 15706 Santiago de Compostela Tel: (981) 553 320. Fax: (981) 553 329. E-mail: larosa22@ctu.es Translation service Inte Calle Hórreo 39, 15702 Santiago de Compostela Tel: (981) 588 235. Fax: (981) 588 3023. E-mail: inte@cece.es History c. 300-200BC Romans arrive in the Iberian Peninsula c. AD30-40 St James the Great reportedly visits Spain and attempts to convert locals 44 St James the Great is beheaded in the Holy Land; disciples take his remains to Galicia 409 Germanic tribes invade Roman Hispania, establishing a Visigothic kingdom 711 Muslims defeat Roderick, the last Goth King 813 Bishop Theodomir discovers relics of St James c. 830 Alfonso II, the first documented pilgrim king,orders the construction of a church on the site of the tomb of St James 899 Alfonso III has large basilica built on tomb site 951 Bishop of Le Puy visits the tomb site of St James 997 Muslim troops raze Santiago de Compostela and destroy basilica 1075 Building of Cathedral begins 1188 The lintels of Pórtico da Gloria laid by Maestro Mateo 1469 Isabel, princess of Castile, marries Fernando, heir to Aragon, uniting Spain’s two kingdoms 1478 The Spanish Inquisition: Jews and other non-Christians are executed in their thousands 1492 Conquest of Granada: the Muslim king surrenders, ending the Reconquista; Columbus reaches the Americas and Spain develops its New World empire 1499 Hostal dos Reis Católicos founded 1501 University is founded; Isabel and Fernando visit the city 1534 Colegio de Fonseca is built 1561 Beginning of the Siglo de Oro (Golden Century) 1702-14 War of the Spanish Succession; Philip V becomes Spain’s first Bourbon king 1738-50 Fernando de Casas y Novoa buildsthe Obradoiro façade; great period of Galician Baroque building and decoration 1766 Neo-Classical Pazo Raxoi is built on Praza do Obradoiro 1808-13 French occupation of Spain under Napoleon 1814-33 Fernando VII is granted the Spanish throne and re-establishes the Inquisition 1820 Military coup leads to three years of liberal rule 1823 Fernando VII returns to power 1868 Isabel II is ousted during the revolution 1871 Amadeo of Savoy takes the Spanish throne 1873 Amadeo abdicates and a Republic is formed before being overthrown in a military coup. Finally, Alfonso XII becomes King 1923-1930 General Primo de Rivera’s period of dictatorship 14 Apr 1931 The Second Republic is declared 1936-39 Civil War breaks out between left-wing Republicans and the right-wing Nationalists 1 Apr 1939 Victorious Franco declares peace and imposes his dictatorship, which would lead to Spain’s exclusion from NATO and the UN 20 Nov 1975 Death of Franco 15 Jun 1977 Spain’s first democratic general election takes place 1978 Drafting of democratic constitution 1981 Santiago de Compostela becomes capital of the Autonomous Community of Galicia 1 Jan 1986 Spain joins the European Community 1993 UNESCO designates Santiago de Compostela a World Heritage Site 1996 Conservative Partido Popular is the winning party in the general election 1998 The city holds Compostela Millennium Festival 1999 Santiago de Compostela celebrates last Año Santo (Holy Year) of the millennium. 2000 Santiago de Compostela is made a European City of Culture for 2000 Copyright © 2003 Columbus Travel Publishing Ltd.