Muxía - Stone & Ocean Sanctuary

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Since the beginning, these stones thrown about by volcanoes have been washed by ocean water, yielding shapes imbued with spiritual significance. 

The faithful believe that Our Lady (travelling on a boat) appeared to Santiago here to inspire him to continue evangelising Hispania. 

According to legend, he did just that - before returning to Jerusalem where he was subsequently executed. Not long after, his followers put his remains in a boat (different boat to Our Lady’s I presume) and transported them back to Spain, where several hundred years later, they were found in a ‘field of stars’ (campo de estrellas), and hence Santiago de Compostela came to be.

Meanwhile the boat that Our Lady sailed on turned to stone, and has lain here ever since. And so Sanctuario da Nosa Senora da Barca (the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Boat) came to be.
The Church has a (supernaturally) nautical vibe.

For fans of  The Way, there’s the added bonus of trying to figure out exactly where Martin Sheen finally completed his quest. It could be here . . .

Or here.

Or anywhere nearby - no matter. The atmosphere and power of this sanctuary of stone and ocean is breathtaking- and uplifting.


As well as a site of devotion.



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