Gaita Galega

As we walk the historic streets of Santiago de Compostela, the sound of passing bagpipers, playing the distinctive 'gaita galega' fills the air, carrying the weight of centuries of tradition. The deep, resonant drones mix with the high, piercing melodies, the unique conical pipe creating a rich and evocative sonic space.
Galician bagpipes, present in the region’s iconography since medieval times, weave through the cobblestone streets, their music echoing off the historic buildings. The melody flows in and out as we move, with each note fading in and out of earshot, creating a shifting, dynamic soundtrack to our walk.

The recording encapsulates the fleeting nature of these performances, reflecting the way the music of Galicia travels through time, from its origins in Iberian iconography to its continued presence today. In these sounds, you can hear the pulse of Santiago itself, a city where history and music are forever intertwined.

UNESCO listing: Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)

Recorded by Serge Bulat. 

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This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world’s most famous sights.

Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage