Galicia is Spain's most north-western region. The bit that sits on top of Portugal is how I always describe it. Most people then say aah and stare at you blankly. Why? Probably because not many people are aware of it. Galicia is the land of the Spanish Celts, of bagpipes (yes they have them here too!) and the resting place of St James the Apostle.Galicia is made up of four provinces or counties. La Coruna, Lugo, Pontevedra and Orense. A green and windswept region, it faces the Atlantic Ocean along the west and northern shores. It is bordered on the south by Portugal and to the west by the districts of Castilla y Leon and Asturias.
Its coastline is full of inlets similar to fjords but which are called rias. All along the coast are countless of fishing ports. It is therefore no surprise that fishing is vital to the economy and Galician seafood is considered the best in Spain. Its beaches are outstanding and with the hefty waves of the Atlantic it is also a surfer's paradise. Inland you will find plenty of hillsides shrouded in mist concealing ancient Celtic settlements.
This is very much Celtic Spain. The Celts settled here around 600BC, although the Romans did invade in 50AD very little Roman culture was absorbed by the Celts. When the Moors invaded Spain during the 8th century they didn't bother too much with the region. The wild countryside and wet weather was obviously a big turn off for them. Maybe this is why the Celts originally made themselves at home. The terrain and weather being so similar to that of Ireland or Scotland.
Thinking of themselves as Celtic, the Galician people are very superstitious and their culture is based on many mysticisms. Many myths and legends abound based on werewolves, faeries, and witches. Another Celtic legacy is bagpipe or gaita. Although smaller than the Scottish or Irish versions the sound is, however, is unmistakable.
In addition to Spanish or castellano, Galicia has its own language called gallego which is similar to Portugeuse. This is widely spoken throughout the region and is experiencing a revival after being discouraged for many years. It is now being taught in schools and can be heard in everyday life.
Getting there is easy. Galicia is served by 3 major airports in Vigo, A Coruna and Santiago de Compostela, which is also the region's capital and is the main airport. Budget airline Ryanair fly to Santiago de Compostela from London Stansted.
If travelling by road you will find good networks of motorways or autopistas linking Galicia with the rest of Spain and onto Portugal and France. If planning your journey by train the main RENFE routes will take you to A Coruna, Ourense and Santiago de Compostela from Madrid. Altenatively you can take the scenic ride on el transcantabrico which is a narrow gauged service run by FEVE that takes you along the northern coastline from San Sebastian to Ferrol.
Whichever way you get there you will be amazed by the beauty that is Galicia that will stay with you forever.
