Muxia...Exploring the Death Coast of Galicia, Spain

I first saw Muxia featured in the movie, The Way, with Martin Sheen, about a man who does the Camino de Santiago in memory of his son. When my husband and I were talking about places in Galicia that we wanted to explore, I knew that Muxia had to be one. 

Muxia is a coastal fishing town, in the province of A Coruña, along Spain's Death Coast, Costa de la Muerte. 

Known for its rocky coast, it has seen its fair share of shipwrecks. 

In 2002, the Prestige, a Greek oil tanker, sank and polluted thousands of miles of coastline and more than one thousand beaches in Spain, Portugal, and France, as well as damaging the fishing industry that is critical to the area. 

The sinking released more than 70,000 million gallons of oil, causing the greatest environmental disaster in the history of both Spain and Portugal, and offshore fishing was suspended for six months. While the cleanup has been extensive, environmentalists warn against the long term effects of such as disaster.

Monument to the Prestige disaster of 2002.

The name Muxia refers to the monks who built a nearby Benedictine monastery, the Church of San Julián de Moraime. Along the water's edge is another church, Santuario da Virxe da Barca, which sustained significant damage in a lightening strike on Christmas Day, 2013. 

In fact, the legend is that the Virgin Mary arrived in Muxia in a stone boat, in order to encourage Saint James, who was not having any luck preaching and converting residents in the area.

A popular spot along the coast of Muxia is the pedra de abalar, or rocking stone, the pedra de barca. 

These large stones are balanced on a point and wiggle in the wind. Once used as an indicator of guilt, they are now known for good luck, if you crawl underneath and emerge on the other side. 

Muxia, like Finisterre, is also a popular spot among pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago. 

After arriving in Santiago de Compostela, some choose to continue on to Muxia, 74.2 kilometers from Santiago.

There is a stone walkway that connects the coast with the town of Muxia, dotted with parcels of land and small farms.

Muxia does not disappoint. The coast is spectacular, and you will often find huge waves crashing along the huge rocks that line the shore. 

If you are blessed to visit Galicia, make Muxia one of your must-see destinations.