Buzz
Nestled in the far northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, Galicia is a land filled with secrets. Continuously hammered by the Atlantic, this autonomous Spanish region boasts an ancient Celtic heritage, a language influenced by Medieval lyrical poets, and a longstanding association with witches. It also features the last operational Roman lighthouse, one of the oldest tourist attractions in the world, Iron Age hill forts, and numerous enigmatic petroglyphs.
10. The Galician Language
In 1978, Galician was officially recognized as one of Spain’s five official languages. This Romance language, spoken by three million people in the country’s northwest, is mutually intelligible with Portuguese but follows Castilian Spanish orthography.
For years, the debate has continued over whether Galician and Portuguese are essentially one language. The question remains unresolved, as the answer carries significant political and social consequences. Currently, Galician and Spanish are both taught in primary and secondary schools in the region, but higher education is conducted exclusively in Galician.
From the 12th to the 14th centuries AD, Galician-Portuguese was the primary language of lyrical poetry across the Iberian Peninsula. Modern Portuguese and Galician both stem from this poetic language.
The tradition of lyrical poetry and its language were solidified during the reign of Alfonso X, the “wise” king. The Galician-Portuguese troubadours predominantly composed in a style known as cantiga, featuring monophonic melodies. Today, only 14 of these melodies remain.
9. The Witches’ Haven
Galicia has long been known as a land steeped in witchcraft. In 1572, an inquisitor described its people as “filled with superstitions [and] having little regard for Christianity.” In 1610, the playwright Tirso de Molina remarked, “Galicia produces witches as easily as turnips.” Even today, witchcraft remains deeply ingrained in Galician culture, known by several names: hechicera, bruxa, and meiga.
Maria Solina, born in 1551 in the coastal village of Cangas, is one of Galicia’s most famous witches. Legend has it that she gathered a female army to thwart an attack by the Turkish fleet.
In 1621, the Inquisition apprehended Solina, subjected her to torture, and imprisoned her. She confessed to practicing witchcraft for many years, assisting the people around the Ria de Vigo. Despite her confession, the Inquisition eventually set her free.
Some believe Solina succumbed to her injuries, while others claim she returned to Cangas, where she continued her magical practices for many years. Her final resting place remains unknown.
8. The Seventh Celtic Nation
The six Celtic nations are Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, Wales, the Isle of Man, and Brittany. These regions share a common linguistic heritage. Many consider Galicia to be the seventh Celtic nation.
Although the Galician language has lost most of its Celtic roots, apart from a few place names, the region is not officially considered Celtic—despite the abundance of ring forts, witches, and bagpipes. Similar to Ireland, Galicia is a land of emigrants who were forced to leave their homeland but preserved their cultural identity.
During the Iron Age, the Spanish Celts built castros (“hill forts”) across Galicia. These fortified enclosures, surrounded by ditches and walls, were located on high ground. Inside, circular, thatched-roof dwellings were grouped into neighborhoods, while larger structures served as communal gathering spaces.
The culture of Celtic hill forts declined around the fourth century AD. However, many of these ancient ruins still stand today. The surname “Castro” is common in Galicia, and it is also the family name of the Cuban leader’s ancestors.
7. The Tower of Hercules
Perched on a rocky hill in A Coruña, Galicia, the last remaining Roman lighthouse stands tall. Constructed between the first century BC and the second century AD, the “Tower of Hercules” was inspired by the lighthouse at Alexandria. Some believe its original design may have been Phoenician.
The tower once guided ships navigating a vital maritime route. Located on Punta Eurás, the lighthouse reaches a height of 57 meters (187 feet) and was built on land that was once sacred to pre-Roman tribes.
Known also as Farum Brigantium, the lighthouse continues to shine its light on the Galician coast. After the fall of Rome, the tower endured looting and neglect, but was restored in the 18th century.
Archaeologists uncovered an inscription to Mars at the base of the lighthouse. Initially, it was believed that architect Caio Sevio Lupo had dedicated the tower to the god. However, in 1992, the discovery of a golden bronze statue of Mars suggested that the dedication was associated with the statue rather than the tower itself.
6. The True Columbus
A controversial theory suggests that Christopher Columbus was not who history says he was, but rather an assumed identity of a Galician named Pedro Madruga. Born as the illegitimate son of Fernán de Soutomaior, Madruga inherited his father's wealth and became one of the richest men in Galicia.
During the War of the Castilian Succession, Madruga found himself at odds with Queen Isabella. With too many enemies, he had to flee for his life, leading many to believe that he adopted a new identity.
Handwriting expert Modesto Manuel Doval has presented the most convincing evidence supporting the theory that Christopher Columbus and Pedro Madruga were the same person. To date, more than 80 experts endorse this idea. Additionally, many have noted that Columbus was fluent in Galician.
Around 200 places visited by Columbus bear names from Galicia. Interestingly, both Columbus and Madruga had three children, all of whom were named Diego, Hernando, and Cristobal. Columbus also maintained friendships with Madruga's associates and even safeguarded his children.
5. Galician Petroglyphs
Galicia is home to numerous petroglyphs, with the majority of these enigmatic rock carvings located along the Atlantic coast, particularly near the River Lerez estuary.
The carvings often display geometric patterns such as concentric circles, spirals, and cup marks, along with squares, swastikas, zigzags, three-legged trisquels, and depictions of animals. Thanks to the inclusion of weapon imagery and the radiocarbon dating of ash within the carvings, researchers have been able to accurately date these petroglyphs to the early Bronze Age.
Petroglyphs of a similar nature are found throughout Europe, particularly in countries like Britain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia. Dating back to 800 BC, the petroglyphs of Montenegro feature many of the same motifs, including deer, squares, and swastikas.
A two-step process was used to create these petroglyphs. Initially, outlines were etched in quartz, and later, these outlines were carved out using quartz hammers. The remains of sharp quartz used for sketching and quartz hammerstones have been discovered in proximity to the petroglyphs.
4. Torre de San Sadurnino
Little is known about the Viking presence in Galicia. Built during the 8th or 9th century, the Torre de San Sadurnino served to protect the Pontevedra district from these northern invaders. Galician folklore tells of numerous battles fought for control of the tower.
Over time, the Torre de San Sadurnino not only acted as a defensive structure but also as a signal for safe passage. Situated on the Ria de Arousa, the tower is sheltered from the severe Atlantic weather yet remains vulnerable to attacks.
While historical records confirm the presence of Vikings in Galicia from 840 to the 11th century, scholarly research into their occupation has only recently begun. In March 2014, Viking anchors were washed ashore in Galicia during a storm. Irene Garcia Losquino from the University of Aberdeen found nearby mounds that she believes resemble the structures where Vikings wintered in Britain.
One story suggests that Vikings landed in Santiago and remained for three years. Considering the region’s population with distinct red hair and blue eyes, it is possible that the Vikings stayed even longer.
3. Pilgrimage To The End Of The World
For over a millennium, pilgrims have journeyed along El Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James. According to legend, after Jesus’s death, St. James traveled to the Iberian Peninsula to spread Christianity. In AD 44, he was martyred and beheaded in Jerusalem. His body was then placed in a boat, which is said to have drifted to Galicia.
In the ninth century, a hermit received a vision that revealed the burial place of St. James. The site became renowned for its miraculous events and quickly grew into a major pilgrimage destination.
By 1140, after being highlighted in the Codex Calixtinus, the world’s first travel guide, Santiago de Compostela became one of the first significant tourist locations. Large-scale infrastructure projects were launched, including bridges over rivers, and the nearby villages flourished.
Wealthy individuals constructed hospices for pilgrims as acts of devotion, while commerce boomed along the ancient route where people of various cultures and languages converged. Some believe the pilgrimage route itself may predate Christianity.
2. The Walls Of Lugo
In 61 BC, the Romans took control of Galicia, bringing significant changes to the landscape through their extensive building projects. One of their most remarkable achievements was the construction of the walls of Lugo.
The ancient city of Lugo was established by Celtic tribes and named in honor of their god Lugos, the deity of light and arts. Today, Lugo is a bustling city of nearly 100,000 inhabitants and the only urban center globally encircled by an intact Roman wall.
The 'Muralla Romana de Lugo' was built between AD 263 and 276, still standing today to enclose the city’s center. The wall rises to a height of 15 meters (50 feet), stretches over 2,100 meters (7,000 feet), and covers an area of 35 hectares. It features 49 original towers in pristine condition and 39 that have suffered substantial damage.
There are 10 gates in total—five dating back to the Roman period and another five added in 1853 to accommodate the growing population of Lugo. Constructed from pebbles, gravel, cement, and stone, the walls have undergone periodic restoration while retaining their original structure.
1. Celtic Olympus
Monte Pindo is known as Galicia's Celtic Olympus. Evidence of human presence in the region dates back to 4000 BC. For millennia, the mountain has been considered a sacred site.
Legend has it that Galicia's pre-Roman inhabitants gathered nocturnal herbs and held witches’ Sabbaths atop the mountain. One bishop even issued a decree excommunicating anyone caught engaging in 'pagan lovemaking' on Pindo. The mountain is dotted with caves and rock carvings—an ideal setting for myth.
In the 10th century, the bishop of Iria Flavia constructed a castle on Monte Pindo to defend himself against coastal raids. The castle, which later housed Galician nobility, was destroyed in 1467.
In 2013, a forest fire swept across 1,600 hectares, uncovering a mysterious cross-shaped petroglyph. Some speculate this could be the earliest sign of human presence. Due to the Galician reverence for the mountain, obtaining excavation permits might be impossible. The secrets of Monte Pindo will likely remain unsolved.
