Muxia 17 mile taxi ride
We are coming to the end this amazing journey through Spain.
Per our guidebook, Muxía (pop. 4,596) is built on a narrow neck of land pointing north into the Atlantic. One side holds a protective harbor; the other is whipped daily by the ocean. Before 1985, Muxía was called by its Gallego name, Mugía, which may be related to the verb mugir, meaning to roar or bellow. It’s a fitting name: the waves do roar and bellow against the rocks daily with the high tide.
When I researched Muxia, this is also what I found:
It is believed that the village was founded by people from Cereixo on land that belonged to the monks of Moraime, who gave the old town its name: munxía-monxes.
In 1105 the town was occupied by the Normans and later on by the Muslims. Muxía’s repopulation was carried out by King Alfonso VII, starting in 1119. In the 14th
century, it obtained the title of “town”, thanks, in part, to its remarkable fishing port. At the beginning of the 19th century, the town was razed to the ground by the French, yet its prompt recovery led to its expansion around Mount Corpiño.
Legend has it Muxía was the landing place of the stone boat that carried Virgin Mary when she arrived in Galicia to help Saint James convert the locals. The granite stones you will find near the sanctuary are said to be the remains of the Virgin Mary’s stone
boat: the sail, the helm and the boat itself. This sacred ground is called the Santuario da Virxe da Barca.
We checked into our hotel which is directly across the street from a beautiful beach. It’s been an overcast day, with the sun trying to come out and very pleasant weather. We quickly grabbed a bite to eat and then headed up the peninsula to check out the sanctuary.
I would have to say that this is one of the most tranquil and relaxing and beautiful places that I have been on this journey. They say it is magical and that is how it felt. We first walked into an old church, Iglesia de Santa María de Muxía, on the way up a hill that was built into the rock hill.
Once we reached the sanctuary we found so many monuments, the stone rocks, believed to be the stone boat that Mary sailed in, is one of thousands and thousands of rocks. There’s a beautiful church at the site as well that was closed but we peaked in and I was able to take some photos through the locked door.
There is also a simple white lighthouse that sits in the rocks on the rugged coast.
I honestly could have sat on the rocks all day just listening to the waves hit and thinking about all of the different tribes of people that once sat there as well.
I found my resting place for my two last Mass cards that I brought, for my mom and dad.
I got my last beautiful wax stamp and it was so fitting since I truly feel like this is now the end of the amazing journey. Another teary eyed day.
We had a delish dinner at 8 pm (real Spaniards now). Muxia is another sunset and sunrise perfect place but the overcast misty cool weather came back which voided the sunset. I think it will be the same for the sunrise in the morning.
We go back to Santiago tomorrow. I may or may not post another cathedral photo.
