This time I’m sharing a photograph that is especially meaningful to me, as I grew up in this very place and my roots run deep here. Don’t expect any objectivity, I’m completely in love with this unique corner of Galicia and will defend it unconditionally. Of course, I’ll only say good things about it, and if someone disagrees, it’s either because they don’t know it well… or maybe they do, but I’m certainly not going to admit they’re right.
The place in question is Estaca de Bares, the northernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. In recent years, it has become a must-see destination for many tourists, and for good reason. The views are absolutely breathtaking, and there’s plenty more to see: the lighthouse, the dramatic cliffs, the cape itself, the old American military base, and the old semaphore tower, now transformed into a charming hotel.
The photo was taken in the village of Bares, from one of the fields near the cliffs. The terrain is steep, and a small stream runs through it, conditions that the locals once took advantage of to build a series of water mills. As shown in the photo, they’re now in a state of ruin. And while it’s a shame they haven’t been restored, I have to admit they hold a certain charm and strong photographic appeal.
It’s a fairly hidden area, you have to know the village well to find it. As a child, I spent countless years exploring those fields, walking muddy paths, climbing over stone walls, and scratching my legs on gorse and blackberry brambles. Day in, day out, I’d come home with green-stained pants and brown knees, to my mother’s dismay. All of those memories are captured in this image, which is why, for me, it doesn’t just represent an iconic spot on our coast, it’s an iconic place in my life.
