The Atlas Obscura Guide To Santiago De Compostela

3 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Updated October 5, 2018

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Unusual Attractions in Santiago de Compostela

Also known as the Lover’s Bench.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Bench of Whispers

Thanks to an acoustic anomaly, this unassuming stone bench has heard one hundred years of secrets.

The shadow pilgrim

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Shadow Pilgrim

An accidental trick of light casts the perfect shadow of a pilgrim of the Camino de Santiago against the cathedral wall.

Botafumeiro.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Botafumeiro

This enormous censer uses a pulley system installed over 400 years ago.

Are we missing something unusual?

Santa Minia in eternal repose

Brión, Spain

The Shrine of Santa Minia

The mysterious remains of a martyred teenage saint are venerated inside a small country chapel.

6 miles from Santiago de Compostela

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