We enjoyed our night at the albergue in Larrabetzu and made our way to Bilbao.
The local cathedral is dedicated to Santiago; this is unusual.
The cathedral has an Adoration chapel near the entrance.
Bring your credencial (as a pilgrim you will want to keep it handy all the time) and after they stamp it they will let you in for no charge. (It is not uncommon for religious sites that get a lot of tourists to charge admission in Spain. If you don't want to pay, go to Mass--that's free--and then discreetly stay after to view the statues and images.)
One of Santiago's most famous experiences, his visitation by Our Lady of the Pilar, is depicted there. There is also an exhibit area in the sacristy with some antique embroidered pieces and altar items.
This is a very evocative door. It is covered in metal stars. Why is it evocative? Because Santiago's relics were found after the grave had been lost, by an ordinary man, who saw stars or lights manifested in the field. The folk etimology of Compostela refers to the event. (Of course, since it was a graveyard, full of stone markers--stelae--there may be more than one reference in the name of Santiago de Compostela.)
Ultreia.
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