Costa da Morte (Galician:[ˈkɔstɐðɐˈmɔɾtɪ]; "Coast of Death") is a part of theGalician coast. The most common definition of the Costa da Morte states that it extends fromCape Finisterre toMalpica, although some may debate it extends fromMuros toA Coruña.[1]
The Costa da Morte received its name because there have been so many shipwrecks along its treacherous rocky shore. The shore of the Costa da Morte is exposed directly to theAtlantic Ocean. It is an area that has suffered a number ofoil spills, including thespill from thePrestige in 2002.
The exterior cape region is known for anthropological, historical and geographical reasons. Its name in theGalician language isFisterra, which descends from theRoman legend which held that this area was the end of the world (Finis-terrae). The area was largely Christianized by theCatholic Church with the aid of a large flux of Christian pilgrims arriving on theWay of St. James.
The people of the area still preserve pre-Christian ritual places and pass on some of the traditional beliefs. For example, there are giantpedras de abalar (i.e. "oscillating stones", the common term in English isrocking stone) throughout the region. These pedras de abalar were sacred locations and used in various rituals that are remembered in local culture. There is also a local legend that the wind creates wild nightmares.
The Costa da Morte includesCape Finisterre (Galician: Cabo Fisterra), a rock-bound peninsula in the uttermost west of Galicia, Spain.
Contrary to popular assumption, Cape Finisterre is not the westernmost point of Spain. Instead, the westernmost landmark in Galicia and Spain isCabo Touriñán, which is found just to the north of Fisterra.Fisterra's name, like that ofFinistère inBrittany (France), is derived from theLatin wordFinisterrae; translating to "Land's End". This name was coined several centuries ago, when theRomans thought Cape Finisterre was the end of the Earth, as theAmerican continent was unknown to theWestern world at the time.[2]
Cape Finisterre has a notable lighthouse on it, and the seaside town ofFisterra is located nearby.
Nevertheless, Cape Finisterre is not the only cape that Costa da Morte includes; one can also seeCabo Touriñán as well asCape Vilán.[3]
TheRías Altas are located to the north.[4]
These are some of the towns, villages, hamlets and cities along the Costa da Morte:
