Padrón is a small town with quaint little squares, but a major role in the history of the Camino and of Saint James. According to religious tradition, this is the place where the boat carrying the saint's body landed, having been guided by an angel all the way from Palestine. The very stone the boat is said to have been moored to is on display in the Igrexa de Santiago, and is referred to as the pedrón ('big stone'). This has most likely given the town its name.
The town is also famous for the pimientos de Padrón – tiny green peppers, fried and sprinkled with salt.
What to see in Padrón
Igrexa de Santiago
The church houses the Pedrón (simply meaning 'large stone'), to which the boat carrying Saint James' dead body was moored to. It is said that is still in the very position as it was at the time of the arrival of the boat.
Santiaguiño do Monte
Saint James is said to have preached at this site above Padrón after first arriving in Galicia.
Casa Museo de Rosalía de Castro
Rosalía de Castro, the national writer of Galicia, was born in Santiago de Compostela but lived her last years in Padrón. Her house has been converted into a museum.