Discovering the Camino de Santiago: Santa Irene

Santa Irene (A Coruña)

Santa Irene, a stones throw from Santiago de Compostela

Inside the Camino de Santiago, Santa Irene is one of the last towns before arriving in Compostela if we follow the busy French Way. Its situation makes it one of the best places to spend the night before arriving in Santiago, because Santa Irene is located 21.5 kilometers from the Galician capital. Santa Irene is near Pedrouzo, where on occasion pilgrims may encounter conglomerations of other walkers. Therefore, the pilgrims can pass through Santa Irene if they make the Primitive Way, the French Way or the Northern Way.

In the town stands out its chapel consecrated to San Pedro, which is dated from the end of the seventeenth century, this being a private property without worship and housing every year, on June 29, the celebration of the pilgrimage of San Pedro. Historical documents highlight that in 1808 Napoleon's troops, on their way to Santiago, entered and robbed in this chapel before going to sleep in the atrium of the parish church of Arca.

Another outstanding construction of this locality is the source, known as the Fountain of Eternal Youth. This fountain is located near the chapel of St. Irene, and according to legend, whoever is washed with his water, will always remain young. Many other legends have arisen from this source, in which was previously located an image of Santa Irene, stolen in the 80's.