GALICIA: THE SEVENTH CELTIC NATION

While Scotland and Ireland are most commonly associated with the Celtic people, the roots of the culture are spread throughout Europe. More than a millennium ago, a Celtic tribe known as the Gallaeci settled in an area north of the Douro River. The region became modern day Galicia, which is in northwest Spain and is today considered the seventh of the original Celtic nations, along with Eire (Ireland), Kernow (Cornwall), Mannin (Isle of Mann), Breizh (Brittany), Alba (Scotland) and Cymru (Wales).

The evidence is everywhere, from the Galician language – which contains a significant amount of words of Celtic origin and is spoken by more than three million people – to the pagan festivals and rituals that continue to flourish in the region. The pallozas, or round stone huts (pictured), date back 2,500 years and are believed to be of Celtic origin.

Thanks to Jim Richardson from National Geographic Creative, if you want to know more, continue reading in BBC travel.