The weather was pretty much touch and go during our entire stay in Galicia and we were always checking the weather each morning to determine what would work. Sometimes, the rain caught us. This time just a drizzle in Santiago de Compostela. Otherwise, Pazo de Oca and the former end of the world were dandy.

The entrance (la plaza) to Pazo de Oca. Most famous place in Galicia from the 12th century and considered the Spanish Versailles.

An attached chapel next to the entrance, but closed to visitors. The palace also required a minimum # of people so we couldn’t check that out either.

The beginning of the gardens and the patio of the Pazo de Oca which also used to be a former fortress.

It was easy to see why royalty would be oblivious to things going on outside in the real world. Of course, this was much less opulent than “the Versailles”. There’s an orchard off to this side and grape vines above.

The kids disappearing down another covered path.

Los Estanques, a large lake divide by a covered seating patio with resident Swans. This is the view looking towards the palace.

They also had black swans.

Here is the other half looking away from the palace. Loved the floral garden island in the middle of each.

One of the fuentes in the garden and this was the biggest one with a little water running. Of course, Asher needs to check it out.

One section dedicated to different types of flowers.

Here is another orchard although I didn’t see if it was lemons or oranges.

Maybe trying to create an eventual chess match.

Trying to capture the levels of the various gardens.

This is the Avenida de los Tilos. The kids just loved all the soft ground to walk and run around on.

This the huerta section. There were so many different things planted here. It made me wonder what they do with all the fruit and produce that comes from the estate.LikeComment

This was the longest vine covered walkway I found.

Doors into a secret fountain?

Gardenias have such a wonderful smell. I wonder how mine is doing?

Dave spotted this on the way back to the car. Such an interesting species.

Next up, Santiago de Compostela at the Parque de Alameda. The landscaping around the lower level from the Capela was beautiful.

Those clouds sure do look menacing.

This is the Pazo de Fonseca. We largely walked around after lunch to look at things and enjoy the historical beauty but the rain was beginning.

This the Praza do Obradoiro where the pilgrims are completing the Camino de Santiago and in the background the Pazo de Raxoi a former palace that serves as the city hall.

An up close view of the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela from the 11th century.

This is the Torre da Berenguela on the backside of the cathedral.

Beautiful gardens of the Praza Immaculada looking towards the cathedral. As long as you can see the catedral you won’t get lost.

The Seminario Maior Diocesano.

This is the Igrexa de San Froitoso de Santiago de Conpostela behind the city hall.

This is Iglesia de San Francisco and former convent.

Here is the Igrexa de San Martiño Pinario.

There is the faro (lighthouse) way yonder. It is often called the Coast of Death due to its bloody history and jagged coastline.

We are here. This is the last stopover for pilgrims from Santiago if they continue on from that point. As some will stop there. We saw a lot of pilgrims in Santiago but only a couple here that were actually en route.

Looking back towards the rest of Spain from the end of the world.