Iria Flavia

Iria Flavia, now a parish in the municipality of Padrón, was an ancient city that was one of the most important cities in Roman Gallaecia and a bishopric. Its importance on the Way of St James is capital, as according to legend, it was here where Saint James first preached in Spain and where his disciples landed after bringing his body. For the pilgrim walking the Portuguese Way, arriving at Iria Flavia is entering the cradle of Jacobean tradition. The main monument is the ancient Collegiate Church of Santa María de Iria Flavia built on a previous temple. Under its cemetery, under the shade of olive trees, rest the remains of Nobel Prize in Literature winner Camilo José Cela, who was also its Marqués. The Camilo José Cela Foundation, in front of the collegiate church, is a very interesting cultural visit. It's a stop that immediately precedes Padrón, a place for historical reflection, where the pilgrim can connect with the Roman and paleo-Christian roots of a pilgrimage about to be born.