Galicia or Galiza is the less known of the Seven Celtic Nations. Its destiny through the last five centuries under Spain's dominion has condemned it to the oblivion of the world, but its actual Celtic spirit has survived and it's yet alive. These webpages are a little first approach and our contribution to Galicia as a Celtic Nation.
Located in the Northwest Corner of the Iberian Peninsula of Spain, this is the land, according to the history, that King Milesius and his people traveled from to arrive and settle in Ireland. Galicia is green, hilly and rainy, most reminiscent of the British Isles. Like the landscape, the people’s culture and music are distinctly Celtic in flavor.Galicia is fresh and verdant, it has gushing rivers and a coastline more reminiscent of Scotland than Spain. The weather is cool often misty and the land is impregnated with an age-old magical atmosphere, which travelers can share in cathedrals, castles, Dolmens & Hill-forts. You may even hear Galician bagpipes (Gaitas) droning across the pasture.Galicia is the most forgotten of the seven Celtic nations. Even so, it has some of the oldest Celtic traditions, going back more that 2000 years. Travelling in Galicia, one can sense this Celtic feeling coming back from the ancient times. One does not see the calm magic of Galicia, one breathes it in: in the genuine hospitality of the people; in the popular festas and carnivals. In the fruits which land and sea share out generously to locals and strangers: seafood, meat, fish and wine. Also in the restful pleasure of the parador hotels, or experience the rural beauty in accommodation's like Monasteries, Castles, Convents, Manor Houses (Pazos) and Country B&B’s converted into beautiful rural inns all with there own distinct character. That is the magic of Galicia. Always attractive. Always... UNFORGETTABLE."...Galicia, a green and hilly region in the northwest corner of Spain. With an economy historically based on fishing and farming, it has traditionally been one of the poorest regions in Europe. Galicians speak their own language. The culture, particularly the music, has more in common with those of Brittany, Wales, Scotland and Ireland than Castille or Andalusia. Galicia was once described as the world's most undiscovered Celtic country... the traditional pilgrims route to the enchanted cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Christians hold the site sacred and believe it to be the final resting place of St James the Apostle. Older legends dating back to ancient Celtic times speak of another pilgrimate that followed the stars to the Milky Way to Land's End [Fisterra]. Trascending its own mysterious origins, the pilgrimate continues to draw countless thousands from around the world to this faraway land." -- PADDY MOLONEY July,1996
