Camino Primitivo (The Primitive Way)
Stage

San Romao da Retorta - Melide

Lugo - San Romao da Retorta Melide - Pedrouzo
26 km

The last stretch of the road before it meets the French Way goes past small villages as you leave Lugo and enter A Coruña. There are two alternatives for the first half of this section:

The official one is marked by the Xunta de Galicia signs and goes past Seixalbos, A Ponte Campana and Xende to the bridge at Ferreira. It is one kilometre longer than the other alternative. The other route is called Via Romana and goes through Castrelo, O Burgo and Santa Maria de Pacio. 

Both routes meet after 8 kilometres in O Carballal. If you continue walking, you will enter the municipality of Palas de Rei through San Xurxo and Augas Santas. Merlán is the last village in the province of Lugo and from there you have 70 kilometres left to reach Santiago de Compostela.

You enter the province of A Coruña through the municipality of Toques. You go past the villages of Vilouriz and Vilamor until you get to the famous town of Melide.

There you can see the oldest cruceiro in Galicia, the cruceiro de Melide, a 14th-century stone cross by the Chapel of San Roque, built with materials coming from the medieval churches of San Pedro and San Roque.

Near the square, you will find the Museo da Terra de Melide, built on the site of a 15th-century pilgrims' hospital whose façade is still extant. The Museum is of great importance for the people of Melide as it recalls the history of the town.

In Melide, you will find one of the few existing Romanesque altars, preserved in the church of Santa María de Melide, a national monument.

It is said that octopus is best enjoyed inland and Melide is the right place for that. You can also taste their famous sweets, the melindres, the rico and the almendrado.

Tips from our postmen and women

What to do and see in Melide?

María Pilar Amor
María Pilar Amor Correos Crecente

"Melide is a traditional town for traders, it used to be famous for its shoemakers. The tradition remains and it is one of the few Galician towns where shops are open seven days a week. The last Sunday of the month there is a street market and Melide is all hustle and bustle. The stalls are full of fruits, vegetables, cheese, honey, chorizos...”


Accommodations San Romao da Retorta - Melide

Image gallery

Mojón del Camino Primitivo
Mojón del Camino Primitivo
Cruceiro del Camino primitivo
Cruceiro del Camino primitivo
Peregrino a su llegada a Melide
Peregrino a su llegada a Melide
Pulpo, el plato típico de Melide
Pulpo, el plato típico de Melide
Ración de pulpo en Melide
Ración de pulpo en Melide
Book PAQ MOCHILA