Even before the remains of the Apostle Santiago were found, many people (Celtic, Romans..) used to follow this route that was related to the way the sun follows each day.

For Centuries, a Costa da Morte (The area where Finisterre and Muxia are located) was considered the last habitable piece of earth that existed in the world. After the discovery of  the rounded shape of the earth, people kept walking to Finisterre to get to this peaceful area where they could see the Sun vanishing in the immensity of the ocean.

On the other hand, close to Muxia, there is a Sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Marie. According to a legend, the Virgin Marie came to Muxia in a stone boat, to cheer up  the Apostle Santiago as he preached the word of Jesus around the area. Once in Muxia, her boat made of stone crashed and broke in pieces. Those peaces are believed to be the rocks that surround the Shrine that was constructed for her.

When walking the Camino of Santiago there are three options:
– Walk From Santiago to Muxia and from Muxia to Finisterre: It takes 4 or 5 days walking (126 Kms)
– Walk from Santiago to Finisterre: 3 or 4 days (89,3 Kms)
– Walk from Santiago to Muxia: 3 or 4 days (86.9 Kms)

People who walk the Camino of Santiago for Religious reasons might be more interested in walking the Camino to Muxia. The walk till Finisterre is for more spiritual purposes.

Once in Finisterre or Muxia there are different rituals that people follow:
– Taking a bath in the beach of the Langosteira: to purify the body and get rid of the dust of the Camino before arriving at the end of the Camino. (This beach is located 2 Kms before Finisterre)
– Burning their clothes: Is a way to get rid of the Material things and start a new life without the things that we don’t want.
– See the sunset: Related to the death of the sun and its resurrection the next morning, like the resurrection of the pilgrim on its day a day walk through the Camino.