El English Way is first maritime pilgrimage route used in the Middle Ages by devotees from England, Ireland and other Northern European countries. In case you didn’t know, this tour offers two variants: From Ferrol or from A Coruña.
Along the way you will be able to enjoy the history, heritage and tranquility that characterizes the English Way. Also know natural landscapes, visit monuments and enjoy the beaches and rivers of this route.
If you want to cross the English Way, here we mention in detail the most important monuments that you can see and discover on this Jacobean route.
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What to see on the English Way
This route offers you the opportunity to transit the road at any time of the year. In fact, it is the perfect alternative to discover incomparable monuments with neoclassical architecture, churches, convents and towns with great cultural and scenic heritage.
Plus, it’s perfect for enjoy more pleasant temperatures due to its proximity to the sea. Also, this route offers majestic castles, forges and a wide variety of temples from the XNUMXth-XNUMXth century. Throughout the entire journey of this route, you will be able to enjoy an incomparable historical and religious experience.
Most important monuments of the English Way
Contrary to the famous and busy Way to Santiago from Sarria, the Camino Inglés route is an ideal route for pilgrims seeking tranquility and getting to know historical and religious places. Here you can enjoy the towns of Galicia that have landscapes of the estuary, marshes, ports, beaches and large towns of historical, monumental and industrial importance.
As one of the main organizing companies of the Camino de Santiago we are extensive connoisseurs of this route. Below, we describe the five most outstanding monuments that you can find in the different stages of this path:
Torreon dos Andrade
It is a construction from the time of Fernán Pérez de Andrade that dates from the years 1370-1380. Is Palace-Fortress of the Counts of Andrade, which was located in the area currently occupied by the market and the Pilón fountain, in Praza do Conde. This place ticked the residence and defense function.
It is a building known as El Torreón. Its walls are 2,35 meters thick, is square in plan and measures 18 meters high. In addition, it has four floors and the second had a drawbridge.
Likewise, its Gothic windows and lobed arches separated by a mullion are very attractive. This has an oculus with traceries, as well as an openwork osculum with the “seal of Solomon” or five-pointed cross in a window.
On the façade you can see the magnificent shield in which the Coats of arms of the Andrade and Lemus families from the XNUMXth century. Thanks to its structure, it is considered a perfect example of Galician medieval architecture.
During the tour you can enjoy the Andrade Interpretation Center. It also includes the tourist office and an exhibition of engravings by the artist Julio Prieto Nespereira.
Co-Cathedral of San Juliano San Xiao
In the town of Ferrol you can see this important religious monument. built to late XNUMXth century on the remains of the old Romanesque church. the sanctuary is consecrated to Saint Julian, patron of the city, whose festival is every January 7.
In 1959, obtained the title of Co-Cathedral and belongs to the dioceses of Mondoñedo-Ferrol. This temple is an important building with neoclassical and its striking cross-shaped plan and side chapels stand out. Its main façade is flanked by two slender towers, topped by a triangular pediment that holds a cross in the center and pyramidal finials at its ends.
In addition, it has a vestibule with three arches and two columns with doors towards the back, as well as two large windows and an intricate frontispiece in the central arch. Likewise, its exterior structure combines granite with white plaster in the parameters. This makes it a monumental attraction of a high artistic level.
Tower of Hercules
If you do the Camino de Santiago de Compostela from Sarria organized trip, you will undoubtedly know this point. Its about only remaining operational roman lighthouse in the world.
It serves as a maritime signal and navigation instrument for vessels on their journey through the Atlantic corridor. This It is the symbol of the city of A Coruña. It is located 50 meters north of the peninsula and is World Heritage Site from 2009.
This Roman-era lighthouse It has been restored and reformed in the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. This construction has a quadrangular floor plan with windows on the outside and a prismatic structure in the shape of an octagonal tower and triangular section reinforcements in the corners. In addition, you must enter through an iron gate where you can see ancient stones of the Tower.
To get to the lighthouse you must climb a steep and intricate spiral staircase. From the top, you can enjoy one of the best views of the city. You can see the estuary of A Coruña, Sada, Ferrol and the outer port of Ferrol, as well as Cape Prioriño, the Sisargas islands and Cape Prior.
Also, here you can find the Sculpture Park of the Tower of Hercules. Here are sculptures that represent the myths and legends that surround the monument. For example: the conch, Dolmens and Menhirs, Hercules and the Ship of the Argonauts.
andrade castle
El andrade castle it was built at the end of the XNUMXth century to monitor access by land and sea to the town of Pontedeume. Its construction was under the orders of Fernando Pérez de Andrade, on land taken from the monks of Sobrado. This stone castle was a magnificent defense weapon.
The keep is the point that is best preserved. However, the interior is inaccessible. In addition, due to its small size, it was used as a prominent bulwark or simple watchtower. The tower has a square plan and is 20 meters high. From here you can see the estuaries of Ferrol, Ares and Betanzos.
This castle had three floors, the upper one covered by an ashlar vault. In the lower part were the lodgings and the only entrance door with two prismatic towers that closed with a portcullis and a double-leaf interior door.
Monastery of San Martino de Xuvia
It’s a monastery built under the orders of the Count of Traba in the XNUMXth century and was incorporated into the Order of Cluny as a priory.
In addition, it is consecrated to San Martín as a symbol of the importance of assistance and hospitality to the pilgrim. Also known as Monasterio do Couto, it is one of the most important religious constructions in Galicia and was declared a National Artistic Monument.
It is a historical building served as support for pilgrims on the Camino to Santiago. He offered spiritual and material assistance through the priories along the pilgrimage routes.
Equally, you can enjoy the Romanesque architecture and Compostela style, thanks to its basilica church with three naves. The capitals inside the temple and the representation of the deadly sins on the exterior corbels are also very attractive.
