A conflict arose once again due to noise from pilgrims in the busiest streets of the historic district in Santiago de Compostela. On Tuesday morning around eleven, a group of Americans crossed the intersection at Calle Nova, marching along Rúa Xelmírez and leading the way with United States flags. The scene drew attention as the march continued through the area near the old town center.
The sounds from the march provoked a local resident who stepped out to challenge the conduct of the visitors, while onlookers watched with surprised stares. A video recording captures tense moments as a resident appeared to confront the pilgrims with a forceful response.
Eyewitnesses say the incident began about half an hour earlier when a local individual dumped a bucket of water on the group as they approached Plaza del Obradoiro. This new event highlights the recurring tension that can accompany the summer influx of pilgrims, often arriving in large groups, between visitors and residents who live in a city that values quiet streets and respectful coexistence.
A Good Practices Code initiated by the City Council seeks to curb these negative outcomes of mass tourism. The code addresses issues such as litter on tablecloths in restaurants, canopies, and behind city buses, which often spark arguments with neighbors due to noise and other disruptive behaviors. Even at Obradoiro, where visitors picnic and pilgrims climb from the Sacred Gate of Plaza A Quintana near heritage sites or perform early July rituals, those activities can place delicate structures at risk. The sculptures by Mestre Mateo have earned UNESCO World Heritage status, underscoring the importance of safeguarding the city’s cultural treasures.
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Still, this code has not yet reached broad popularity among visitors, and it has become clear that both local vendors and restaurateurs, as well as pilgrims arriving from Calle de San Pedro and around A Quintana, need clearer guidance on how to respect the spaces and daily life of residents.
A week has passed since the initiative’s release, allowing time for information to spread among Santiago’s visitors. The balance reported by the City Council’s Tourism Office is positive. The office noted that many hoteliers and businesses have expressed interest in participating in the awareness campaign, which aims to benefit residents and visitors alike and create a more pleasant environment in Compostela. The emphasis is on coexistence that supports sustainable tourism rather than practices that disrupt daily life.
The San Pedro neighborhood has long advocated for peaceful coexistence between residents and tourists. Last year the Xuntanza association published a ten-point decalogue of good practices that promotes sustainable tourism and presents a model that prioritizes respect and harmony over activities that cause inconvenience to locals.