The Way of Sant James

• The improvement works to the only route that does not end in Santiago de Compostela follow the model already implemented along other routes and will begin at the start of autumn

Santiago de Compostela, 13 July 2017

The Director of Galicia Tourism, Nava Castro, held a meeting with the mayors of the councils along the Fisterra and Muxia Way to present the project for the new signage that will be placed along this route which thousands of pilgrims take after reaching their goal of Santiago de Compostela. It is, therefore, the only route that does not end in the Galician capital, but instead begins in it.

Nava Castro, accompanied by the representative of the Regional Government in A Coruña, Ovidio Rodeiro, the manager of Galicia Tourism, Elena Barca, and the manager of the Xacobeo, Rafael Sánchez, wanted the councillors of the ten municipalities in this province located along the Fisterra and Muxia Way to be the first to hear the details of the planned activities, which follow the same model already implemented in other Jacobean routes such the Northern Way and the Original Way.

With the tender process about to start, the meeting was used to explain the characteristics of the project and the guidelines that will determine the decisions taken. In addition, Galicia Tourism wanted to hear any comments about the planned actions from the councils involved. The meeting allowed for dialogue with all the municipal representatives and the finding of common ground in the areas of interest for all these councils which were given information on the specific works to be carried out in their municipalities.

These improvements will be carried out in the municipalities of Santiago de Compostela, Ames, Negreira, Santa Comba, Mazaricos, Dumbría, Corcubión, Cee, Fisterra and Muxía. According to the planned deadlines, work will begin at the start of autumn.

With this project, Galicia Tourism is making progress in one of the areas set out in the Master and Strategic Plan of the Way of St. James, included in the 2020 Tourism Strategy, which contains priority actions to ensure both the conservation and maintenance of the route.

In the prelude to Xacobeo 2021, this road map includes measures to standardise signage and improve road safety, in addition to others aimed at making the pilgrimage an accessible experience for people with reduced mobility or disabilities. The plan, around 60% of which has already been implemented, involves a total investment of more than €56 million.

More than 125,000 pilgrims

The Way of St. James continues to break records this year with a 10% increase compared to last year. To date, more than 125,000 compostelas (certificates) have been handed out by the Pilgrim's Office. Each year more people decide to continue their pilgrimage along the Fisterra and Muxia Way, which in its final section offers two options for pilgrims: to continue to Cape Fisterra or to go to the Virgen de la Barca sanctuary, both on the Atlantic coast.