Thesaurus

Pau was one of the pilgrimage sites on route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, home of the shrine dedicated to Saint James, the patron saint of Spain. The symbol of Saint James, the scalloped shell, became the primary symbol representing pilgrims. French pilgrimage routes to Compostela tend to follow old Roman roads, many of which continued to be utilized as primary roads of communication during the Middle Ages. The towns name Pau means "Palisade" in Béarnais. Archaeological studies indicate that in the beginning of the 13th century there were several palisades on the various levels of the cliff which overlooked the Gave de Pau. Located in Pau is a castle and the church of Saint-Martin.