Although most people think that the Camino de Santiago will end at the Compostela Cathedral, the truth is that it continues to a remote fishing village, one of those that has remained trapped in a fishing and medieval past. This is Fisterra, a town with narrow streets, stone houses and a castle on top of the cliff, which has looked out to the sea for 300 years.
The old town of Fisterra is medieval and preserves very well its essence of a fishing village. The facades are made of gray stone with huge windows and the entire town is built around the port, the heart of the town. This is still active, with sailors coming and going to the sound of their boats rattling, bringing the fish to their market, the first tourist market in Galicia that allows visitors to see the bidding live.
No wonder, Fisterra contains some of the best fish and seafood in our country. Therefore, it is impossible to leave there without trying their scallops, their octopus at fair or their zamburiñas. Attached to this paradise for seafood lovers is the monument to the Emigrant, dedicated to all the Galicians who went to seek their fortune, another must-see stop in Fisterra.
Monument to the Emigrant
Next to the port and the coast is the Castillo de San Carlos, an old fortress from the 18th century that defended the population from attacks by pirates and looters and which remains a witness to that medieval past. Today it is the Fishing Museum and maintains an excellent state of conservation.
San Carlos Castle
After a walk through the center of the town, we head south towards the Fisterra lighthouse. Before leaving the town we arrived at the church of Santa María de las Arenas, one of the best kept secrets in Galicia. This 12th century temple hides within a Holy Door similar to that of Santiago de Compostela, which only opens in the Xacobean Year. Just below, there is a beautiful empty and hidden cove called Corveiro beach.
Church of Santa María de las Arenas
From the church there is a path of about 40 minutes on foot that leads to the Fisterra Lighthouse, the most important on the Costa da Morte. It is a 17 meter high tower built in 1868, with the best sunset in Spain. We can also go by car, but then we would miss several surprising corners of this road.
Along the way you will be able to see the Galician Cruceiro, the so-called 'empty cemetery at the End of the World', a project by architect César Portela. You will also reach the last milestone, which marks kilometer zero and is where the Camino de Santiago officially ends, although most end it in Santiago. All of this adorned with views of the Atlantic Ocean, the horizon and in a well-kept and protected natural environment.
