Museo da Terra de Melide

Museum of the Land of Mellid, image from Wikimedia Commons

Melide is a point of convergence on the Camino de Santiago, since from there the French Way and the Primitive Way coincide in their route. There are those who continue the stage to Arzúa, but there are many pilgrims who decide to end it when they reach Melide. Those who do not spend the night in this town miss many points of interest, such as the Church of Santa María or the Museo da Terra de Melide (Museum of the Earth).

What does the visit to the Museo da Terra de Melide include?

It is a museum built by the people for the people, which makes it a highly valued institution in the area since 1978, when it was founded. This museum is linked to the Camino de Santiago, but it also collects a wide sample of archaeology, ethnography and history.

It was moved twice to make room for all its contents, and it is currently housed in the old Pilgrim Hospital, which further emphasizes its close relationship with the history of the Camino de Santiago. Among its collection are medieval capitals, 15th century sarcophagi and fragments of mural painting, among many other things.

Each of its seven rooms corresponds to one of the three main sections: the Camino de Santiago, archeology and ethnography. Here we can learn about the history of this land, from the Neolithic to the present, passing through the Galicians, the Romans and our closest tradition.

This visit is a trip to the past to understand the present of Melide, both its connection with the Camino and its value outside the pilgrimage. At the end of the day, the Camino is an experience that is subject to the journey throughout Galicia, and it is necessary to take advantage of it to see a panoramic view of the history of this land.