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Photo of the Pilgrim's Shadow

The Pilgrim’s Shadow: Mysteries of Santiago de Compostela

Every night, in Quintana Square, a shadow appears that has become one of the most iconic images of Santiago de Compostela. Thousands of tourists and pilgrims come when the sun has set, and the square is illuminated to have their photo taken with it.

At the base of the Clock Tower, the shadow of a pilgrim with a hat and staff waits patiently. But who or what is he waiting for? Throughout history, hundreds of legends have been generated around it.

Some believe that the shadow accompanies each pilgrim throughout the Way of Saint James, but he can only see it when he arrives at the Cathedral. It is a metaphor for those who start the Pilgrim’s Way lost, looking for answers and arrive in Santiago in peace and satisfied with their journey.

The priest in love

The most widespread story is that the shadow corresponds to a priest from the Cathedral who fell in love with a cloistered nun from the convent of San Paio de Antealtares. Every night, they would meet in a secret passageway under the Quintana staircase, which links the Cathedral to the convent.

After a while, tired of so much secrecy, the priest proposed to her escape and could live their love. They met at nightfall in the square, and in order not to be recognised, the priest disguised himself as a pilgrim.

He waited patiently for her, but his beloved did not come. However, his love for her was so great that night after night he waited for her. Despite the time that has passed, the priest continues to keep his appointment.

The French pilgrim

Another of the most popular legends is that the shadow corresponds to the soul of a French pilgrim who stayed forever in the Cathedral of Santiago. The pilgrim in question was Léonard du Revenant, who came to Compostela from Paris in the 15th century.

Accused of poisoning his father to inherit his fortune, he was condemned, and after a few years in prison, he was forced to make a pilgrimage to Compostela to redeem himself for his sins. After crossing the Pyrenees, he became infatuated with a young innkeeper and killed her boyfriend before forcing himself on her and killing her as well.

The man escaped justice disguised as a poor pilgrim. In this way, he reached the city of the Apostle, where he slept at the foot of the Cathedral. In a dream, his father appeared to him and forgave him for his murder, but not for the murder of the two young men.

Léonard du Revenant flew into a rage and drew his sword, but the spirit killed him first. Since then, he has been waiting patiently for the young innkeeper and her fiancé to redeem him for his murder.

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