Really slept in today, till 9 which was a good idea as just about everywhere was closed. The little panadaria down the road was open so I got a croissant to keep me going and headed off for the Cidada da Cultura de Galicia. It is a on one of the hills surrounding the city and is a good walk. The buildings are a series of sweeping curves, and they certainly make an impressive outline - you can see them for miles away.
I couldn't help but wonder whether the whole thing is vastly misconceived. It is not a particularly functional design, with huge interior spaces that are very hard to use. The exhibition i saw, "The Way The Origin" solved the space problem by having the objects housed within smaller structures connected by a rather hoaky pathway - emblematic of the Camino I guess - strung with green netting. It was Sunday and admission free, in a city bursting with hard core Camino nuts, and there were about 14 people in the place, of whom 6 were staff. The objects on display and the curating were terrific, but I think the venue has all the hallmarks of an extremely expensive white elephant. The image below is from one object on display, an illuminated manuscript which tells the tale of St James interceeding to Mary for the soul of a pilgrim who has been tricked and killed by the devil. I like the tug of war with the soul represented like a little golden baby.
Walked home in time for the last climb of the 15th stage of the Giro D'Italia followed by a siesta.
Caught up this evening with some people I walked with early on who have just arrived, and some other faster returnees from Finisterre. Mixed reviews but I think I'll bus there tomorrow.
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