A History of Galicia

Discover the sweeping story of Galicia, Spain's green Atlantic corner, from its prehistoric stone monuments and Celtic hillforts to its place in modern Europe. This engaging history traces how geography, language, faith, migration, and resilience shaped a region that has long stood apart from the familiar image of Spain.

Journey through the world of the ancient Gallaeci, the Roman province of Gallaecia, the Suebic and Visigothic kingdoms, and the brief Moorish presence that helped define Galicia's northern Christian identity. The book explores the rise of medieval Galicia, the enduring importance of Santiago de Compostela, and the Camino de Santiago's transformation into one of Europe's great pilgrimage routes.

The narrative follows Galicia through feudal power struggles, peasant revolts, Castilian centralization, maritime trade, and centuries of emigration to the Americas. It also highlights the emotional and cultural legacy of separation, longing, and return, alongside the revival of Galician language and literature during the Rexurdimento.

Modern Galicia comes vividly into focus through the upheavals of the Spanish Civil War, Francoist repression, democratic renewal, economic modernization, environmental crisis, and contemporary cultural life. From ancient dolmens to the European Union, this book offers a rich and accessible portrait of a people, a landscape, and an identity that have endured across millennia.