The Catholic tradition
Traditionally Catholic since the Reconquest by the Catholic Monarchs, Spain has since become a secular country, whose free worship is recognised in the 1978 Constitution. In addition to Catholicism, other religions, admittedly in the minority, are practiced, such as Islam, Judaism, Protestantism and Hinduism, which have places of worship throughout the country. However, about 66% of the population remains very attached to the Catholic religion, although it is losing ground, as only about 23% of them are practising. It is even estimated that atheists and non-believers make up nearly 30% of the population, and that they outnumber practicing Catholics. And yet, Catholicism is everywhere, through the numerous churches, cathedrals and monasteries built throughout the country or the religious museums that preserve, among other things, holy relics and precious altarpieces. Moreover, daily life is still very much punctuated by religious festivities deeply rooted in tradition. This is particularly true of Holy Week, the week before Easter, which is celebrated in all Spanish towns with great religious fervour. For a week, the last scenes of Christ's life are commemorated in various processions in which each brotherhood carries holy sculptures of the Virgin and Christ on their shoulders. In contrast to the south of Spain, where euphoria overtakes the population, the processions in the north of the country, particularly in Castilla y León, are much more sober and silent, the population being rather in deep meditation. Because of their singularity or the richness of their religious heritage, some of these celebrations have been recognised as being of international tourist interest. Castilla y León has the largest number of these. It stands out for its remarkable processions, some of which are more than 500 years old, in which superb polychrome sculptures, some of them dating back to the seventeenth century, are paraded through the streets. In addition to this and other well-known Catholic festivals, Spain also celebrates its patron saints of a district, a city, a province and the nation (Santiago de Compostela on 25 July). Not to mention all the festivities dedicated to the Virgin, which are celebrated from one locality to another. This results in a plethora of local holidays where joy and gladness fill the population.
Religious legends
There are many legends linked to the Catholic religion in Spain, especially on the roads to Santiago de Compostela. In fact, the presence of Santiago in Spain is itself surrounded by many stories, the reality of which is not rigorously proven. Among other stories, it is said that the friends of Santiago took his body on a stone boat without a sail or rudder and set it adrift at the bottom of a Galician ría, Iria Flavia, now the town of Padrón. They transported the body with two bulls until they were exhausted and buried it in an unknown place. Until the 9th century when a mausoleum with the relics of the apostle of Jesus was found. A church was then built to protect them, which was soon replaced by a cathedral. There are also many other religious stories associated with the Virgin. In Muxía, at the westernmost point of the Costa de la Muerte, legend has it that the Virgin appeared to Santiago here, sailing on a boat. At the end of the coastline, near the Virgen de la Barca sanctuary, two rocks represent it: Abalar, the boat and Os Cadrís, the sail. Since the 14th century, it has been a popular place of pilgrimage, with numerous festivities on thesecond weekend of September.
Folk customs and myths
Myths and legends abound in these four regions of northern Spain, especially in Galicia and Asturias, lands of Celtic origin. They are drawn from traditional stories and tales, transmitted orally from generation to generation. Sometimes these beliefs are associated with divinities, either beneficent or malevolent, or with natural forces. Thus, in popular Galician mythology, the Santa Compaña is a procession of the dead or of souls in pain who travel the roads, starting at midnight. Their mission is to visit all the houses that are expected to be in mourning in the near future, dressed in white tunics and hoods. It can be found throughout the Asturian-Galician cultural world, under other names, such as Güestia, Güéspeda, Estadea, Hoste, Genti de Muerti or simply Compaña. The trasno is one of the most famous characters in Galician legends. It is said that this mischievous dwarf, with a hole in his left hand, invites himself into houses at night to cause a disturbance, throwing dishes, mixing clothes and hiding objects. To get rid of them, it is said that one must spread cereal on the floor to entertain them all night. The narratives have thus provided forms to guard against them, either you ignore them, make a circle in the shape of a cross and go inside, eat something, pray and don't listen to them, or you run away. In Galicia, the queimada ritual is known to prevent evil spirits. It is practiced with family or friends after dinner where incantations are said over a popular drink, itself called queimada, reminiscent of brandy. In Asturias, one must beware of the Xanes, beautiful fairies with blond hair who live near the rivers. They are capricious and, with their voices, they attract men in order to drown them. In Cantabria, the Esteru, a beneficial character, is also present and moves along the Cantabrian coast. In Castilla y León, there are also many legends about witches, devils or lost pilgrims. For example, the Laguna de Cernégula, located in the province of Burgos, is the meeting place of all the witches of the region, who celebrate sabbats and share their evil recipes.
