Santiago de Compostela is where Saint Jakob, one of the 12 apostles, is said to be buried.  According to the legend after Jesus death, Jakob went to evangelize Spain; however he was not very successful, reason for returning to Palestine where he ended up beheaded.  His body was put in a ship that miraculously landed in northern Spain and the people buried him in what today is Santiago de Compostela.  The place went forgotten for some centuries, but at the eve of the arabic invasion of Spain  a local bishops "rediscovered" it around 818 and the king of Asturias afterwards declared it to be the grave of Santiago, giving it both the religious and political weight needed to soon become the third most important pilgrimage place for catholics (after Rom and Jerusalem).  There are other more historical stories around it, however I like this legend most.

There is also a believe that the road is in parallel to - or a mini-  Milky-way: The stars represent the light and compass to the paradise that in medieval times was thought to be at the end of the known world.  In fact, the latin translation of Santiago de COMPOSTELA can mean FIELD OF STARS and the most Western point of Europe, Cabo de FINISTERRE ("end of the world") is nearby, too.  However, COMPOSTELA can also mean place of burial (like "compost")... again, I prefer the legendary milky way. 

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: What shall I take out of my rucksack that already weights 10kg?