Santiago de Compostela has been an important site for Christian pilgrims for centuries, as it is believed that the remains of St James the Apostle were found here. Today Santiago ranks as the third most important site for Christian pilgrims in the world, after Jerusalem and Rome.

Located in the very northwest of Spain, approximately 40kms (25 miles) from the Atlantic Ocean, Santiago de Compostela typically sees more rain annually than anywhere else in the country.

It is considered to be one of the loveliest cities in Spain, and has attracted visitors for so long that it boasts one of the world’s oldest hotels. The first guidebook for travellers ever written provided details on the famous ‘Camino de Santiago,’ or Way of St James, for pilgrims making this holy journey.

The main draw for visitors to Santiago de Compostela is its past, and its history is clearly evident in the cathedral, churches, museums and monuments that are found throughout the old town.

Time spent exploring the ‘old quarter’ should be at the top of every tourist’s list of things to do, as this is the area where the spirit of the ancient town is best experienced. On sunny days, the stones are said to glow like gold, and the maze of narrow streets and the elegant plazas make for great exploration on foot.

Modern Santiago de Compostela is a university town that’s dynamic and cosmopolitan, yet at the same time well integrated with the medieval town that has captured for future generations its significant religious heritage. The tourist infrastructure is very good, and the city boasts an excellent selection of hotels and high-end resorts.

Other areas in Spain feature better shopping options, but there’s still enough on offer here to tempt shoppers. In addition to modern shopping malls, there are markets where local handicrafts can be purchased and boutiques that showcase top designs by the rising stars of the Galician fashion scene. Restaurants abound, and menus range from typical Spanish fare to a variety of international cuisines.

Santiago de Compostela was named after St James the Apostle (‘Santiago’ is the Spanish equivalent of ‘James’). The apostle travelled to this spot in the far northwest of Spain, an area that the Romans called finis terrae (‘end of the earth’), to convert the locals to Christianity.

He eventually returned to Palestine, was taken prisoner and tortured to death. Burial of his body was forbidden by the king so a group of Jacob’s disciples stole the apostle’s body and placed it in a marble sarcophagus which was then put on a small boat. According to legend, sea currents carried the boat to the western coast of Spain and into the Roman port of Iria Flavia. The apostle’s body was buried in a wooded area, in secret.

Several centuries later, in 813 AD, a hermit was listening to music in a wooded place near the site of the apostle’s secret burial when he saw what appeared to be a shining star. This spot became known in Latin as campus stellae, or ‘field of the star’, and later in Spanish as ‘Compostela'.

Bishop Teodomiro was notified of the event and called for an investigation, which led to the discovery of the apostle’s tomb. King Alphonse II declared the apostle, St James, to be his empire’s patron saint and ordered the construction of a chapel at the site of his burial. Following this, several miracles were attributed to St James, and King Ramiro I reported that the patron saint fought by his side in a pivotal battle against Moorish invaders.

Pilgrims began to follow the road to Santiago in greater numbers, with the path becoming known as the ‘Way of Saint James.’ The original chapel was transformed into a cathedral and renamed Santiago de Compostela.

By the 12^th and 13^th centuries, Santiago had risen in significance, with Pope Alexander II declaring it a ‘holy town,’ similar to Jerusalem and Rome. It was further declared by Pope Calixto II that the faithful who went on pilgrimage to Santiago during a ‘holy year’ would be absolved of all their sins. Holy year (año santo) is celebrated whenever the Apostle’s Day, the 25^th July, falls on a Sunday.

In 1993, UNESCO designated Santiago de Compostela as a World Heritage Site. The city was later named a European City of Culture in 2000, and is today one of Spain’s leading tourist attractions.

As in other parts of western Galicia, Santiago de Compostela experiences mild weather regular rain year-round. The main factors influencing the city’s weather include its proximity to the coast, its elevation and the nearby mountain ranges that surround the city and trap weather conditions. These factors combine to create humidity which can turn winter days into foggy ones.

Winters aren’t very cold here, with temperatures averaging 8°C to 10°C. The average summer temperatures range from 20°C to 25°C. Conditions are mild in the spring and autumn, with some rainfall. Annual rainfall amounts to 700 to 900mms in total.

The average annual temperature is 12°C, with the highest temperatures occurring in July and August. However, it never gets really hot, even during the summer period, which is the best time to visit Santiago.