news archive

Pili Pala Press donates money to Prestige clean up
Pili Pala Press has just donated €1100 to SEO/BirdLife, a Spanish organization heavily involved in oil clean-up operations following the Prestige oil disaster. The money represents 4% of the cover price of every Pili Pala Press book sold in 2003. Each year, Pili Pala Press donates money to environmental causes in Spain and Portugal. Sales in 2002 went to SEO/BirdLife; sales in 2000 and 2001 went to help efforts to protect the endangered Iberian Lynx.

Walking the Via de la Plata
Walking the Via de la Plata, our newest guide, is now available. See our order page for ordering details.

New albergue in Torremegia
A new albergue has opened in Torremegia, just south of Mérida on the Via de la Plata. The albergue is in the Casa-Palacio de los Lastra, and includes a restaurant and coffee shop, with space for 23 pilgrims. This is a welcome addition to the Via de la Plata; previously, walking pilgrims either needed to detour to Almendralejo, or walk a 45km day!

Happy Año Xacobeo
On January 1, the Holy Door at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela was opened, marking the start of the 2004 Holy Year. Holy Years occur when the Día de Santiago (Day of St James), July 25, falls on a Sunday. The last Holy Year was a specially-declared one in 2000; the next will be in 2010.