We decided to explore byways in the town, starting with the large park close to where we were staying, the Alameda in Santiago de Compostela.
Read more: The Alameda in Santiago de CompostelaThe Alameda
The Alameda Park1 started life in the 16th century when ground was donated by the Counts of Altamira. Today there are over 1,500 trees and shrubs in the park, some very old indeed. And they are diverse, with over ninety different species.
The park has different and distinct sections but there seems to be a lack of clarity about this, so I have done the best I can.
The Paseo de la Alameda
The Paseo de la Alameda appears to be the small section marked in pink below.
Paseo de Ferradura
The Paseo de Ferradura runs round the outside of the park and has several different aspects and appearances.
We entered the walk through the Lions Gate at the bottom right of the map above and walked anti-clockwise round the park.
Ramón María del Valle-Inclán was a novelist, poet and playwright, born near Pontevedra.
Half way along there are wonderful views over the town, towards the Cathedral. After that the path slopes down into a little valley (no.2 on the map above).
On the western side of the park the outlook is over the university buildings. And here the gardens in the park are more formally laid out.
The Fountain of Marble used to stand in the market, but was moved to the park in 1932.
Maria Rosario de Castro was one of the great poets and writers of 19th century Galicia. She was particularly important because she published in Galego, not Spanish.
The oak wood of Santa Susana
The Church of Santa Susana was built in the 12th century to house the body of the saint. Today’s church is a 17th/18th century reconstruction.
There are several statues of writers in the park, and Lorca stands at the bottom of the steps leading up to the church.
The Alameda in Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful park and clearly I needed much more time to understand its structure, and know the trees. Ah well…
restlessjo
It looks like a great place for a bit of a ramble. Love the smiley poet on the bench xx