Day 3 Vilanova de Arousa to Padron
Vilanova de Arousa to Padron is known as the Translatio stage. From the port of Vilanova sailing the Ria de Arousa and Ulla river to Pontecesures.
Departure times depend on the tides.
Check with your hotel and be on time at the departure dock. Once upon a time, the water reached Iria Flavia, where legend says the remains of the Apostol Santiago originally arrived on a stone ship 2000 years ago. However today it only reaches Pontecesures.
Enjoy sailing past mussel farms and watch as shellfishermen and women gather clams and cockles. 17 cruzeiros (crosses) dot the shoreline pointing out the route of Apostol Santiago. After disembarking in Pontecesures you connect again with the Portuguese Camino. From here you walk around 2 km to Padron your place of rest for today.
While in Padron visit the Santiago church. Then, if you have the energy, to save time tomorrow head 1 km further to visit Iria Flavia an iconic town that aside from being the original resting place of Santiago also the La Real Colegiata is remarkable, the tomb of Camilo Jose Cela. Nobel prize winner of literature, and the museum-house of Rosalia de Castro, the most famous Galician poet
A must-try speciality of the region while in Padron “pimientos de Padron” (little green peppers) fried and sprinkled with sea salt, now appreciated all over Spain. Other popular foods are Octopus, cheeses, bread, chorizos, or empanadas.
