Welcome to the . . . 

 

The Pilgrim Garden

Nestled deep within the forest of Os Chacotes Park, the Pilgrim Garden forms, together with Laberinto del Camino (background), one of two sacred bookends along the Camino Francés in Palas de Rei. Here, pilgrims are cradled and restored, finding quiet reflection, prayer, and communion with nature, allowing body and spirit to renew before continuing the journey.

Artist Statement

The Pilgrim Garden is a site-specific landscape installation along the Camino Francés in Palas de Rei, created as a place of welcome, pause, and quiet transformation. Shaped like a pilgrim’s boot print and nestled within the forest of Os Chacotes Park, the Garden offers pilgrims and visitors a tranquil space for reflection, prayer, rest, or simply to listen to the living presence of nature, before or after walking the nearby Laberinto del Camino.

 

Drawing on ancient Camino symbolism—the goose, the circle and the square—and built with materials that belong to the route itself, the Garden invites presence over interpretation. 

Created in collaboration with pilgrim volunteers, Galician Obradoiros, generous donors, and the Concello de Palas de Rei, the Pilgrim Garden stands as a shared threshold where earth and heaven gently meet the Way.

Song & Video — Heaven’s a Circle

And what is an installation if it is not accompanied by its own song? For the Pilgrim Garden, I wrote and produced “Heaven’s a Circle” specifically to echo the Garden’s spirit. The song draws inspiration from one of the Garden’s central symbols: a circle within a square, representing the meeting place where heaven and earth converge in Palas de Rei.

“Heaven’s a Circle” reinforces the Garden as a space for reflection, prayer, and presence, and its melody is meant to accompany pilgrims as they continue their journey toward Santiago de Compostela.

Press the Play button below to watch the video, which captures both the installation process and the joyful celebration of all who contributed to creating this sanctuary of peace.

 

Gallery — Captions

  • Boot Print Layout
    The Garden’s overall shape mirrors a pilgrim’s boot print, guiding movement through contemplative pathways within the forest. Each tread invites pause and reflection.

 

  • T-Shirt Logo
    This is the official logo of the Pilgrim Garden. It incorporates many elements, including cobblestones, square inside a circle, and color. These colors represent the four elements: water (blue), fire (red), green (wind), and orange (earth).

 

  • Goose Symbol
    An ancient Camino emblem, the goose marks passage and guidance, quietly leading pilgrims through the Garden’s forested sanctuary.

 

  • Circle & Square
    The intersection of circle and square represents heaven meeting earth, a symbolic convergence at the heart of the Pilgrim Garden.
  • Blue Camino Gravel
    The gravel, drawn from the nearby Camino Francés path, connects the Garden to the living Way, grounding visitors in the journey.
  • Yellow Granite Cobblestones
    Shared with the Laberinto del Camino, these cobblestones trace the boot print and form a subtle pilgrim arrow, pointing along the path and through the forested space.
  • Seating Milestones
    Repurposed Camino milestones provide places to rest, reflect, or simply breathe, offering pilgrims a moment of pause in the shade of the trees.
  • Forest Path & Entrance
    The Garden’s entrance, embraced by forest, welcomes visitors into a sacred, tranquil threshold before they continue along the Camino or into the Laberinto.

 

  • Future Entrance Improvements (2026)
    A dedicated Pilgrim Garden / Laberinto entrance is planned to enhance access to this serene forested enclave, further integrating the experience of both installations.
  • Landscaping Enhancements (2026)
    The embankment will be transformed with bright flowers and native plants, replacing weeds to create a more vibrant and harmonious setting within the forest.

Acknowledgements

The Pilgrim Garden was made possible through the collaboration of pilgrim volunteers, Galician Obradoiros, generous donors, and the partnership and support of the Concello de Palas de Rei. 

This shared effort brought a vision of peace, reflection, and connection along the Camino Francés to life.

DIRECTIONS: PILGRIM GARDEN (JARDIN DEL PEREGRINO)

PALAS DE REI, SPAIN

Entering Palas de Rei along Camino Francés

  • Upon exiting a tree forest tunnel, Os Chacotes public park awaits you
  • Proceed 200 meters to the Compostela stamp booth
  • Continue an additional 25 meters and take a left onto Calle Laberinto, a dirt path
  • Proceed 90 meters down Calle Laberinto
  • See the “12 Apostles” on your left (12 stone slabs)
  • Left at the wooden gate for 30 meters
  • See Laberinto del Camino & Pilgrim Garden on right

From Palas de Rei Village Center - head southeast along Camino Francés toward Os Chacotes Park 

  • Proceed 9 minutes to Calle Laberinto and take a right (if you reach the Compostela stamp booth, then you've gone 25 meters too far)
  • Proceed 90 meters down Calle Laberinto, a dirt path
  • See the “12 Apostles” on your left (12 stone slabs)
  • Left at the wooden gate; proceed 30 meters
  • See Laberinto del Camino & Pilgrim on right