Labruge - Castro de S.Paio | Portugal

Hello everybody

It started as a walk by the sea and ended up being the discovery of a new corner right next door.
Wonder why hadn't yet discovered this place or read anything about it, given that it has a very interesting history and i had already walked several paths very close to there.
In fact, i'm not surprised because i'm perfectly aware that i still have a lot to discover in these surrounding areas, which have several interesting corners lurking around every corner.

With this walk came the desire to walk along the walkways that take us along the coast for several kilometers, these being the paths that are part of the well-known Santiago paths.
In this place known as S.Paio, remains of a small Iron Age settlement remain, traces attributed to the Paleolithic era.
This entire scenario is visible from a distance with a notable granite elevation known as Castro de S. Paio, being the only example of a Maritime Castro in the Portuguese part of the Northwest Peninsular with the sea touching the old defensive limits.

This type of prehistoric fortified settlements, also known as Castros, were very common in the Iberian Peninsula, being built in elevated locations and often surrounded by stone walls for defensive purposes, and this is an excellent example that was neglected for several years, and even looted, having been the target of a recovery project following some archaeological excavations carried out between 1993 and 1996.
It is believed that this Castro was abandoned with the arrival of the Romans in the national territory in 20 B.C.
During the excavations, some engravings were also found in the rocky area near the Castro that show the presence of a Norman/Viking camp in this same location between the Iron Age and the Middle Ages, among other engravings of unknown origin.

It was in this rocky place that we stopped to rest, breathe and enjoy the landscape.
From there it is possible to see the small Castros beach which has its origins in a notorious geological fault, where the cut in the earth's surface is visible through the two cliffs that rise into the ocean waters.
From that point, the next stop would be at the S.Paio Chapel, built to mark this place considered sacred by many who passed through here over the years and even by those who pass by today.

According to history, its name derives from the name of a young martyr (S.Pelayo) who also ended up giving the same name to this entire area and the entire archaeological complex that forms part of it.
The structure of the chapel is very simple and the surrounding space is very large and pleasant, with a fantastic view, and according to what i read, the atmosphere inside is something magical, with its colorful stained glass windows and an altar made with a huge stone brought of the ocean.
Unfortunately it was closed and there was no one nearby who could open it.
We decided to stop again to slowly and calmly appreciate the surrounding space and relax by the sea.

It was on one of the small benches installed in front of the chapel that we saw several walkers pass by with their huge backpacks heading towards Santiago de Compostela.
How do i know which direction they were heading? It's not difficult, since these trails are part of the famous Caminhos de Santiago (Santiago Paths) and they all make a point of carrying their white shells hanging from their backpacks.
Some go with others, others alone, each with their own objective, certainly accompanied by their spirituality.
Walking these paths has become a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Tiago in Spain, some do it in search of absolution of their sins, others in search of forgiveness and divine salvation, others simply for the experience, for the journey, for the landscapes.

Following one of these paths involves walking long distances and enjoying the landscapes and historical heritage of the areas involved, as well as crossing paths and meeting people of different nationalities and cultures who will at some point be following the same route.
Over the centuries, this tradition has become one of the main pilgrimage routes in Europe for all types of people, from the most varied cultural and religious backgrounds.

This walk by the sea ended up awakening several dormant interests that i hope to soon revive.

Hope you like this small trip.
That´s all for today :)

Photo by @aleister
Camera - Samsung SM-A528B
Camera - Canon EOS 600D
Lens - EFS 18-55mm
Location - Portugal

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Value your time, because every fraction counts, and the price of anything is the amount of life you trade for it.
May the memories of the travels be eternalized in the photographs, and may the photographs transport us back to the travels ;)