Tag: Santiago de Compostela in Medieval Times

Articles about how Santiago came to be and how it would have been to live or visit Santiago in the Medieval Ages

Using Santiago Matamoros for political reasons in Medieval Times

In the middle of the 9th century, the Iberian peninsula was a large, bloody battlefield, as a result of the constant fighting between Christians and the Arab invaders. The south of Spain was controlled by the Arabs where they consolidated their supremacy by converting much of the old Visigoth élite to Islam. Still, Galicia, parts of Leon, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque area have not been subdued (where the French Way passes).

Santiago Matamoros in the Cathedral of Burgos
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The meaning of Ultreya Suseya Santiago de Compostela

Our company name is Ultreya Tours. Ultreya or Suseya are relatively common names for services providers on the Camino de Santiago (spas, restaurants, hotels, transporters and obviously travel agencies) and there is probably no expression more linked to the Camino de Santiago. But many people in Spain and on the Camino do not know what it stands for.

Ultreya Rocks on the Camino de Santiago

This post explains what we believe Ultreya means. But we would like to warn you that although we know it comes from Medieval Latin meaning “further” and it has been used since at least the 12th century no one really knows how it came to be linked with the Camino de Santiago and when people started using it.

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Pilgrims Rituals in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Like millions before you over the centuries, you finally accomplished the Camino de Santiago and reached the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. For 1000, pilgrims reaching Santiago have accomplished various Rituals, which we would like to detail in this article.

The Cathedral of Santiago

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a masterpiece of Romanesque and Baroque art. It is the support and main attraction to the City of Santiago de Compostela which was built around it. It is the resting place of the Apostle Saint James and its historical and spiritual importance for the building of Spain and Christianity as we know it is huge.

Cathedral of SAntiago de Compostela

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