The climate of the region may not be what one typically thinks of when one thinks of Spain. The winters are quite long and cold, and the summers can be hot. This more prolonged colder climate is reflected in the region’s food, typically quite hearty fare. Famous dishes include cochonillo (roast suckling pig), roast lamb, morcilla de Burgos (a black pudding made with rice) and sopa castillana (a soup made of bread and garlic). But ultimately, the big draw for this region lies with its historical sights and rich culture. This can be fully appreciated in the sheer number of UNESCOWorld Heritage sites which can be found in the region. Three cities hold the prestigious title; Segovia with its iconic Roman Aqueduct of mortarless granite boulders stretching across 160 arches through the centre of the city, Avila with its medieval city walls and the beautifully preserved university city of Salamanca. In Burgos one can marvel at the impressive Gothic cathedral and, just outside the city, the archeological deposits of Atapuerca can be seen. In Leon, another UNESCO site is the Roman gold mine Las Médulas and the pilgrimage route of El Camino de Santiago winds its way round many of the region’s cities, towns and villages. At the conclusion of the pilgrim’s trail lies the medieval city of Santiago de Compostela in the heart of Galicia. Like many regions of Spain that lie at corners of the Iberian Peninsula, it is a land of unique identity, more Celtic than Latin with its own language, Galego, but unlike its Basque and Catalan equivalents the people do not harbour separatist intentions. The Romans called it the “End of the World”, a mountainous, region, with a jagged 1500km coastline formed by a succession of fjordlike inlets, rias (rivers) and wide, rocky estuaries. Offshore it includes numerous islands with dazzling, Caribbeanesque beaches whilst inland, reflecting a moist climate with over 100 days of annual rainfall, is rich a rich agricultural region of meadows and forests. Such a bountiful landscape and relationship with the sea is reflected in superb gastronomy, especially the exquisitely fresh seafood, and also the excellent wines of the region such as Ribeiro and Rias Baixas. Of course modern day visitors do not need to walk the path of St James as this idyllic corner of Spain is well serviced by international flights into Vigo, A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela airports. If you hear the doleful strain of the bagpipes, don’t think you've suddenly been transported magically to Scotland; this is the ‘national’ instrument of Galicia too. bagpipes The city walls of Avila University of Salamanca Cathedral Beach, North coast of Galicia Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela 24
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjE5ODQ=