podtour
Compostela in Revolt
Santiago did not always obey its archbishop. Follow three centuries of clashes between the townspeople and the man who ruled their city.
The Camino Arrives in Compostela: audio walk in Santiago de Compostela
The last stretch of the Camino Francés inside the city: the gate of the Franks, the Paradise market, the jet carvers, the Botafumeiro, the Catholic Monarchs' hospital and a saint who may never have come.
What this walk is about
You come in where pilgrims on the Camino Francés came in, through the gate the twelfth-century guide names first among the city's gates. You walk down past the forum where everything was cried out, along the street of the jet carvers, and on to the square the Codex calls Paradise, with its fountain big enough for fifteen bathers and its stalls of scallop shells and shoes. Facing the north door: the great Benedictine monastery, the façade that was corrected from Madrid, and the censer that went flying in 1501. On the Obradoiro, the hospital the Catholic Monarchs planted opposite the archbishop's palace. And then you climb to San Francisco: a basket of fish paid in procession, a charcoal burner who may have been rich, and the final question. Did Francis of Assisi ever make the pilgrimage here?
- Start
- The Gate of the Franks
- Finish
- Did Francis Come Here?
- Who it is for
- A walk for Pilgrims. For anyone interested in the Camino.
- Languages
- Spanish and British English
- Underfoot
- The walk has slopes or changes in level. The route notes mention stairs or steps on the walk or its approaches.
The route, stop by stop
An outline of the walk. The full stories are in the app.
Loading the map…
Open a marker to see its page. Use two fingers to move the map on mobile.
- 1
The Gate of the Franks
- 2
The Market and the Oak
- 3
Jet for the Pilgrims
- 4
The Pilgrims' Paradise
- 5
The Monastery Facing the Cathedral
- 6
The Doorway and the Façade Madrid Changed
- 7
The Incense Burner That Went Flying
- 8
A Royal Hospital in the Bishop's Square
- 9
A Basket of Fish
- 10
The Devotees' Monument
- 11
Cotolay: From Charcoal Burner to Rich Man
- 12
Did Francis Come Here?
Walking directions are based on mapped pedestrian routes. Check local access and signs; the route is not an accessibility guarantee. Times are approximate.
Santiago de Compostela, before you go
Granite, arcades and squares where someone has always just arrived. Santiago invites a slower walk, with a layer handy and time to wait for a shower to pass.
More walks nearby
The Women of Compostela
Behind the convent walls were women who resisted, escaped and changed what was possible. Meet them on the way from San Paio to Belvís.
Witches and Wandering Souls: Compostela's Legends
From Quintana to Bonaval, Santiago tells stories of shadows, witches and wandering souls. Some are much younger than you might expect.
Good to know
What is Podtour?
An app for self-guided audio walks. Choose a city and a route, then listen to the stories behind its streets. You decide when to start and when to stop.
When can I download the app?
Podtour is coming to iOS and Android. There is no confirmed launch date yet. Join the waitlist and we will let you know when it is ready.
Does Podtour include attraction tickets?
No. Street walks and monument audio tours do not include admission tickets, transport or a guide accompanying you.
Can I listen without an internet connection?
Download the audio in the app before heading out, then listen offline. Loading the online base map and calculating a new route from your location require a connection.
What languages are included?
Every route includes Spanish and British English. The English version is adapted for English-speaking travellers, rather than translated word for word.
How do I get a whole city for free?
Join the waitlist, choose a city and confirm your email address. When the app launches, we will email you with access details. No card is required. You can also try one free route in every city.
Can I buy for myself or for a group?
Yes. Your own access is included and you can choose 0–5 guests: up to 6 people including you. Each guest saves up to €0.50 on a walk, €1 on a pack or €2 on a whole city compared with buying separately. The counter shows the total before you confirm one payment.
How do I share, and when must guests accept?
After paying, share your purchase’s invitation link. Each guest opens it in Podtour and accepts their place on their own iPhone or Android phone. They must redeem it within 30 days of purchase. Unclaimed places then expire and cannot be recovered or renewed. Access accepted in time is kept. Opening the link does not use a place; one account takes just one place, and no more people can join once all places are taken.
Can I add guests after buying?
No. Choose all your guests before confirming the first purchase. Afterwards you can share the places you paid for, but you cannot increase their number or restart the 30-day deadline.
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One city per person. All its Podtour routes in Spanish and English. Available at launch. Offer details.