Monte do Gozo
Encyclopedia
Monte do Gozo is a hill in Santiago de Compostela
, Galicia, Spain
. It is known for being the place where Christian pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) get their first views of the three spires of their destination, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
. At 370 metres (1,213.9 ft), it is the pilgrims' last hill and last stop before reaching the cathedral, with about an hour's walk still to go, and by tradition is where they cry out in rapture at finally seeing the end of their path.
Monte do Gozo is about three kilometers (two miles) outside city centre, and is reachable by a 20-minute local bus ride in alternative to being walked. It is less than a kilometer away from the small hamlet of San Marcos
. It rises 70 metres (229.7 ft) above the trail before it and 110 metres (360.9 ft) above the city. It is also a popular site for bicyclists.
The hill features the large Ciudad de Vacaciones Monte do Gozo (Monte do Gozo Holiday City) development, constructed in 1993 for benefit of the pilgrims, which includes a spread-out, bungalow-style, 500-bed hotel/hostel, a camping ground, the large Auditorio Monte do Gozo
for outdoor concerts (which has featured major international popular music artists), and gardens and walking paths, all on 65 hectares (160.6 acre). It was initially built in 1993 for use by the pilgrims and resulted in a reshaping of the hill. Sponsored by the local government in conjunction with that year's local Holy Year for St. James' Day, some aspects of the development (especially the concert venue) drew the ire of the Church, which preferred a greater focus on the religious meaning of the area. While the hotel/hostel has helped relieve the city proper of accommodation pressure during peak times, its appearance itself has not always been viewed favourably, with one book calling it a "modern grief" and another characterizing it as "soul-crushingly awful".
The Camino is paved asphalt during this stretch. The hill is surrounded by eucalyptus trees, which along with suburban structures have largely obscured the potential view of the cathedral from Monte do Gozo in recent times. Camino guide writer John Brierley cautions pilgrims not to expect too much from this stop and says that, "The tiny chapel of San Marcos is the only thing left on the hill that gives any sense of history to this romantic sounding place." Pope John Paul II
visited the hill to lead the final mass in August 1989 of that year's World Youth Day
. Sculptures reside atop it; the most dominant one (pictured) was placed to celebrate that event, and portrays on its base both John Paul's visit and a pilgrimage of Saint Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century.
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
, Galicia, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It is known for being the place where Christian pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) get their first views of the three spires of their destination, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral of the archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the reputed burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is the destination of the Way of St...
. At 370 metres (1,213.9 ft), it is the pilgrims' last hill and last stop before reaching the cathedral, with about an hour's walk still to go, and by tradition is where they cry out in rapture at finally seeing the end of their path.
Monte do Gozo is about three kilometers (two miles) outside city centre, and is reachable by a 20-minute local bus ride in alternative to being walked. It is less than a kilometer away from the small hamlet of San Marcos
San Marcos
San Marcos is a common toponym in Latin America and parts of the United States. It could refer to any of the following:-Towns and cities:*San Marcos, Beni*San Marcos, Antioquia...
. It rises 70 metres (229.7 ft) above the trail before it and 110 metres (360.9 ft) above the city. It is also a popular site for bicyclists.
The hill features the large Ciudad de Vacaciones Monte do Gozo (Monte do Gozo Holiday City) development, constructed in 1993 for benefit of the pilgrims, which includes a spread-out, bungalow-style, 500-bed hotel/hostel, a camping ground, the large Auditorio Monte do Gozo
Auditorio Monte do Gozo
Auditorio Monte do Gozo is an outdoor concert venue in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. It is an amphitheatre-like setting, with a stage, an open area, and then rows of concrete bench seating arranged in a semicircle...
for outdoor concerts (which has featured major international popular music artists), and gardens and walking paths, all on 65 hectares (160.6 acre). It was initially built in 1993 for use by the pilgrims and resulted in a reshaping of the hill. Sponsored by the local government in conjunction with that year's local Holy Year for St. James' Day, some aspects of the development (especially the concert venue) drew the ire of the Church, which preferred a greater focus on the religious meaning of the area. While the hotel/hostel has helped relieve the city proper of accommodation pressure during peak times, its appearance itself has not always been viewed favourably, with one book calling it a "modern grief" and another characterizing it as "soul-crushingly awful".
The Camino is paved asphalt during this stretch. The hill is surrounded by eucalyptus trees, which along with suburban structures have largely obscured the potential view of the cathedral from Monte do Gozo in recent times. Camino guide writer John Brierley cautions pilgrims not to expect too much from this stop and says that, "The tiny chapel of San Marcos is the only thing left on the hill that gives any sense of history to this romantic sounding place." Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
visited the hill to lead the final mass in August 1989 of that year's World Youth Day
World Youth Day
World Youth Day is a youth-oriented Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, the invitation to attend extends to all youth, regardless of religious convictions....
. Sculptures reside atop it; the most dominant one (pictured) was placed to celebrate that event, and portrays on its base both John Paul's visit and a pilgrimage of Saint Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century.