GALA DINNER

The gala dinner will take place at the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, a building commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs in 1501 as a hospital for pilgrims. Dining in its magnificent hall offers a unique experience in what is considered the oldest hotel in Spain. More information about the building can be found here. Information about the menu will be made available once the registration process is open.

Before the gala dinner, there will be a concert and a bilingual poetry reading (in Galician and English) by the Irish poet Keith Payne, the Galician writer Yolanda Castaño, and the Galician musician Su Garrido Pombo.

OPENING COCKTAIL

The opening cocktail will take place at the Pazo de San Lourenzo de Trasouto, a historic manor house located behind the lush oak grove of San Lourenzo. Commissioned in the 13th century by Martín Arias, Bishop of Zamora, the pazo has been a Franciscan monastery for 500 years, until it was transformed into a palace in the 19th century. The magnificent gardens and 17th-century cloister will host our opening cocktail.

WALKING TOUR

We will offer walking tours through Santiago de Compostela’s Old Town, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved historic cities in Europe.

The city boasts numerous monumental squares, each with its own personality—from the grandeur of Obradoiro and A Quintana to the intimacy of hidden gems such as Praza dos Gatos or Praza das Campás de San Xoán. Wandering through Santiago’s historic quarter is like entering a stone labyrinth full of surprises: from the stately arcaded streets lined with palaces and churches, such as Rúa do Vilar and Rúa Nova, to the secluded, narrow lanes hidden from the casual visitor, such as Salsepodes or Entrerrúas.

GUIDED TOUR OF THE CATHEDRAL AND THE CATHEDRAL ROOFS

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is not only the premier example of Romanesque art in Spain but also the historic endpoint for the Camino de Santiago or Way of Saint James. For hundreds of years, these paths have led Christian pilgrims to the Apostle’s tomb. Beyond its religious significance, the cathedral is the foundational point for the monumental city of Santiago de Compostela, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

Over the course of the week, ESSE participants will have the opportunity to experience both the peace and seclusion of the cathedral on a guided night tour (groups of up to 50) and spectacular views of the city from the cathedral rooftops (groups of up to 20). The cathedral tour takes you through the renowned Pórtico da Gloria (the magnificent western façade of the cathedral), the tribune, the main chapel and areas of the museum, lasting for about 90 minutes; during the guided tour of the roofs, you will climb 140 steps to walk along the rooftops and visit the Torre da Carraca (‘Ratchet Tower’) for unbeatable views of Santiago de Compostela. The visit lasts approximately 60 minutes.

POST-CONFERENCE TRIPS

For those participants wishing to extend their stay in Santiago, we offer a couple of post-conference excursions:

• Half-day trip to Costa da Morte (‘Coast of Death’). The area is thus nicknamed from the many shipwrecks which have taken place over the centuries, including that of the Spanish Armada. Highlights include a visit to Fisterra (‘Land’s End’) and its iconic lighthouse, the fishing towns of Muxía and Muros and the Ézaro waterfall, the only waterfall in Europe that flows directly into the open ocean. More information about the area here.

• Full-day trip to Ribeira Sacra (‘Sacred Riverbank’): named after the settlement of monasteries on the banks of the rivers Sil and Miño, this area features spectacular landscapes and viewpoints. We will learn more about the system of terraces for vine cultivation, visit a medieval monastery and go on a boat trip along the Sil and Miño river canyons for breathtaking views over the steep vineyards (wine tasting included). More information about the area here.