Fisterra

Infobox City
official_name = Concello de Fisterra
nickname = Fisterra


image_



map_caption = Location of Fisterra within Galicia
subdivision_type = Parroquia
subdivision_name =
leader_title = Alcalde (Mayor)
leader_name = Traba Jose Manuel Fernandez (PPdeG)
area_note =
area_magnitude = 1 E7
area_total_km2 = 28.4
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
population_as_of = 2005
population_note =
population_total = 5042
population_density_km2 = 177.53
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CET
utc_offset_DST = +2
latitude =
longitude =
website = http://www.concellofisterra.com/
footnotes =

Fisterra is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Fisterra is on Cape Fisterra, the final destination for many pilgrims on the Way of St. James.

Fisterra is on the rocky, treacherous Costa da Morte (i.e., the "Coast of Death"), named because of the large number of shipwrecks along these shores. The name "Fisterra" means "end of the earth". This name stems from the fact that this area is on a remote peninsula that is one of the westernmost points of land in Spain. In fact, it is one of the most westerly points of land in continental Europe (Cabo da Roca in Portugal is the most western piece of land in Continental Europe).

Fisterra is an ancient port and fishing village, formed by narrow streets leading to the Plaza de Ara Solis. The chapel of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso, dating from the 18th century, is on the plaza. There is a spectacular lighthouse on a 600 meter promontory called "Monte Facho" at the tip of Cape Fisterra overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. On the road up to the lighthouse is the parish church of Santa María de Fisterra which contains the Chapel of Santo Cristo.

Fisterra is 108 kilometers from A Coruña, and 98 kilometers from Santiago de Compostela.

Geography

Fisterra has some spectacular beaches like O Rostro, Arnela, Mar de Fora, Langosteira, Riveira, and Corbeiro. Many of the beaches are framed by steep cliffs leading down to the "Mare Tenebrosum" (or dark sea, the name of the Atlantic in the Middle Ages).

There are several rocks in this area associated with religious legends, such as the "holy stones", the "stained wine stones", the "stone chair", and the tomb of "Orcabella". [Orcabella is a Celtic goddess that takes the form of a hag and has a prodigious sexual appetite. Humans cannot hurt Orcabella; they only see her or feel her. Orcabella has many features that are similar to the Irish crone-goddess, "Cailleach Bhéirre" ( [http://perso.wanadoo.es/garoza/G2manuelalberro.htm "LA MITOLOGÍA Y EL FOLKLORE DE GALICIA Y LAS REGIONES CÉLTICAS DEL NOROESTE EUROPEO ATLÁNTICO"] , Manuel ALBERRO, Inst. of Cornish Studies, University of Exeter)]

History

After the discovery of the tomb of St. James, pilgrims on the Way of St. James started to arrive from Santiago to Fisterra to worship in front of an image of Sacred Christ, view the relics of San Guillerme, and see the "End of the Earth".

In 1479, a hospital to accommodate the arriving pilgrims was built. Many of the pilgrims were noblemen or otherwise famous.

Thousands of visitors continue to arrive in Fisterra every day.

Pre-Christian beliefs

In the area there are many remnants of pre-Christian beliefs and sacred locations. On Cape Fisterra, some claim that there is the "Altar Soli", where the Celts engaged in sun worship and assorted rituals.

The Monte Facho, on Cape Fisterra, was the place were the Celtic Nerios from Duio carried out their offerings and rites in honor of the sun. San Guillerme also lived in a house located there. Near San Guillerme's house, sterile couples would copulate on one specific stone to try to conceive, following a Celtic rite of fertility.

Culture

Every Easter there is a local festival featuring the Christ of the Golden Beard.

References

External links

* [http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/galicia360/pelicula.jsp?foto=2 A 360 degree view from the Fisterra lighthouse]
* [http://gospain.about.com/od/galicia/ig/Fisterra--Finisterre---Galicia.--gj/Fisterra--Finisterre---Galicia.--hR.htm Picture Gallery of Fisterra]
* [http://www.concellofisterra.com Official Fisterra website]
* [http://www.fotografiasdegalicia.com/galeria/v/acorunha/fisterra/ Photographs of Fisterra]