In 2010, the second Holy Year in the 21st Century is to be held. The Jubilee Year (also known as Xacobeo) has been celebrated since the Middle Ages whenever St James's day (25th July) falls on a Sunday. Holy Years fall every 6, 5, 6, and 11 years: the most recent ones were 1993, 1999 and 2004. The next Holy Years will be 2010 and there will not be another one until 2021.

During the Holy Year, the number of pilgrims arriving in Santiago de Compostela is larger than in any other years, and the streets are at all times full of people from all around the world. One can overhear all imaginable languages being spoken and, for us, locals, it is a very special time. Few cities in the world with the size of this one can boast of bringing together such happy people.

Something that we love about the Holy Year is the fact that the city develops a great number of leisure and cultural activities in every corner: concerts, theatre plays, festivals, congresses, series of conferences and so on.

By the way, the Instituto Cervantes and the Asociaciones de Amigos del Camino de Santiago distributed all across the world will exibit photographs about Santiago de Compostela and the Camino de Santiago. Possibly, one of those exhibitions will be held near your area.