Beach of A Lanzada, White sand beach in Sanxenxo and O Grove, Spain.
A Lanzada is a white sand beach stretching 2400 meters between the municipalities of Sanxenxo and O Grove along the Galician Atlantic coast. The shore offers a wide sandy expanse reaching up to 70 meters and is backed by a natural dune landscape that separates it from the hinterland.
Roman traders used this stretch of coast in the first century before the common era as a stopping point for trade in salt and fish. The chapel from the ninth century replaced earlier religious structures and became a destination for pilgrims traveling toward Santiago.
The chapel of Santa María da Lanzada at the southern end draws pilgrims, especially during September festivities when residents from across the region gather. Many visitors follow old rituals at the shore connected with fertility and renewal that remain part of local tradition today.
Because of the exposed location, a visit during calm weather or early morning is advisable when the wind remains gentle and the sea quieter. Those who wish to swim should pay attention to marked areas, as the current can be strong in certain sections.
The name Lanzada derives from the word for lance and refers to the long, spear-shaped peninsula that borders the shore to the south. On windy days the northwest wind carries sand over the dunes so that the landscape behind the shore slowly changes.
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