The legend of the Virgin of A Barca is intimately linked to the Camino de Santiago.
Thanks to the deep religious fervour that the Sanctuary inspired and its connection with the Apostle, since the Middle Ages, Muxía and Finisterre (Fisterra) became pilgrimage destinations. Devotion to the Virgin of A Barca has been, and continues to be, a magnet for trekkers who are looking for a transcendent goal on their journey.
Many pilgrims decide to extend their spiritual experience beyond Santiago de Compostela, culminating their adventure in the western tip of the Iberian Peninsula. The Fisterra-Muxía Way is the only Jacobean itinerary that has the Galician capital as a starting point, not an arrival point. It is an extension of the Camino that attracts more and more trekkers every year.
In 2024, for example, 2,255 people walked this route! That’s 27% more than the previous year, and almost half of them (42%) were foreigners, demonstrating the enormous international interest in the Sanctuary of A Barca. Pilgrims from countries such as Portugal, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, among many others, choose Muxía to close their pilgrimage, uniting faith, tradition and the spectacular beauty of the Costa da Morte.
In addition and given the importance of the Saint not only nationally but also internationally, the Sanctuary of A Barca in Muxía was designated as one of the jubilee churches of the Roman Holy Year 2025. This means that, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” the church is a key pilgrimage point for faithful from all over the world who seek a time of conversion, penance and spiritual renewal.
This very special period began on December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door in the Vatican and will run until January 6, 2026. The choice of Muxía as a jubilee church is a recognition of its deep Jacobean tradition and devotion to the Virgin of A Barca, inviting many people to live this unique experience in our corner of the Costa da Morte.
