Festivities of San Telmo
Tui honours the patron saint of sailors
From opulence to total humility. This was the turn of events in the life of Pedro González Telmo, known as Saint Telmo. The patron saint of Tui, of great devotion among seafarers, was born in Frómista, very close to Palencia, into a wealthy family. He was ordained a priest under the protection of his uncle, a bishop, and ended up holding the posts of canon and dean.
Nowadays, on the second Monday after Easter Sunday, Tui celebrates its festivities in honour of Saint Telmo, who, during a Christmas parade, saw his horse slip and he ended up in the mud. It is said that this moment marked a turning point in his life and made him become a humble friar. This feast day commemorates the day he perished in Tui on his way to Santiago de Compostela. Many miracles are attributed to him, for which he was beatified in 1254. His cult was confirmed in 1741 and he was then designated patron saint of sailors.
The origins of this festival, as recorded in the archives of the bishopric, date back to 1578, although it would be in the 18th century when the influx of the faithful to the event and its religious acts would begin. With the arrival of the 20th century, other attractions such as parades, concerts and fireworks were introduced.
The tradition is still alive. Most of the ecclesiastical events take place in the cathedral of Santa María, where the remains of the saint rest. For several days Tui thus becomes a religious, cultural and leisure centre, as the festive programme includes a wide range of activities. Some of the most eagerly awaited moments are the procession of La Coronilla - which goes through the historic centre - and the procession in honour of Saint Telmo, with numerous images. A floral offering closes this ritual.
For its part, the procession of giants and big-heads is another of the most traditional moments of these fiestas. Of all the protagonists, the raíña and the rei are the most outstanding, both for their longevity and their height and weight: more than five decades, some 4 metres and 60 kilos. Other events on the bill of these traditional festivities are the Week of Amateur Theatre, the Horse Fair and the Angula ( meixón) Festival.
Way of St. James and church
From Portugal and on the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, Tui is the gateway to Galicia. The cathedral of Santa María is one of the main jewels of Galicia's heritage, and its portico stands out as the first Gothic work on the Iberian Peninsula and the only one of its style preserved in the entire autonomous community. It also houses the chapel of San Telmo. The church of San Telmo, in Baroque style and designed by the friar Mateo de Jesús María, was built on the site where the saint after whom it is named died.
