Santuario da Virxe da Barca

Costa da Morte


The 18th-century church on the rocky seashore at the north end of town marks the spot where (legend attests) the Virgin Mary arrived in a stone boat and appeared to Santiago (St James) while he was preaching here. A fire on Christmas Day 2013 gutted the church's interior; repairs continue.

Two of the rocks strewn on the foreshore, the Pedra dos Cadris and Pedra d'Abalar, are, supposedly, the boat's sail and keel. Crawling under the former nine times is said, improbably, to help back problems.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Costa da Morte attractions

1. Praia de Lourido

1.71 MILES

Just south of Muxía, Praia de Lourido is an unspoilt stretch of sand in a sheltered bay perfect for a sunny day. A parador (luxury state-owned hotel) is…

2. Museo do Encaixe

2.36 MILES

The fishing village of Camariñas is known for its women’s traditional encaixe (bobbin lacework). Visit the Museo do Encaixe in front of the town hall to…

4. Cabo Touriñán

5.59 MILES

Picturesque rocky, lighthouse-crowned Cabo Touriñán, 17km southwest of Muxía, is great for a breezy walk. The northwest corner of the cape, Punta de…

5. Ceminterio dos Ingleses

5.68 MILES

The rugged coast between Camariñas and Camelle, followed by the Ruta do Litoral, is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Costa da Morte. Ten…

6. Praia de Nemiña

7.42 MILES

This beautiful, 1.5km sandy curve, stretching north from the mouth of the Ría de Lires, attracts surfers in numbers from roughly April to November and has…

7. Museo Man de Camelle

8.17 MILES

This museum exhibits the sketchbooks, notebooks and personal effects of 'Man' (long-time Camelle resident Manfred Gnädinger) along with objects he found…

8. Museo Xardín de Man

8.42 MILES

This quirky and touching open-air sculpture garden made from rocks and ocean bric-a-brac, beside Camelle's pier, is the work of 'Man' (Manfred Gnädinger),…