Costa da Morte

Costa da Morte or Death Coast is coastal region of Galicia, Spain. The Costa da Morte extends from the villages of Muros and Malpica. The Costa da Morte is notable for its many shipwrecks, along with geographical and cultural reasons.

According to Celtic and Roman mythology, this area was considered the end of the world, or Finis Terrae.

Finis Terrae
Finis Terrae was situated at what Galician Celts and Romans considered the end of the world and faced the setting sun. The Galician Celts (some sources claim the Phoenicians ) built a temple (later known as Ara Solis) to worship the sun at this area. According to legend, this temple was destroyed by Saint James. The Romans believed Finis Terrae was a portal to the afterlife where the sun would die during night.

Underwater City of Valverde
The lagoon of Traba is said to have been created to swallow up the city of Valverde. It was punished by God via the Apostle James for its lack of faith.

Pedras de Abalar
The Pedras de Abalar, Galician for "oscillating stones", are large rocks in Galicia that are balanced in a way that allows them to be easily moved by the wind and people. These stones were associated with religious cults due to their purported powers. They were also associated with rites of passage, healing, and witchcraft. Pedras de Abalar were used to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant.

Many of these Galician Celtic stones have been Christianized. In Galicia today they are associated with shrines and virgins. Some notable stones include the Piedras Santas, or Holy Stones, where the Virgin Mary is said to have rested after journeying to encourage Saint James.

Shipwreck Lore
Costa da Morte has one of the highest number of shipwrecks. The name Costa Da Morte is derived from its legendary status of having one of the highest number of shipwrecks of any region on Earth. This coast and the surrounding seas have become the subject of many sailor folklore.