El Camino de Santiago de Compostela
The Way of Saint James, The Famous Spanish Pilgrimage
Aug 20, 2009
The age-old tradition of travel to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, has been passed along from pre-Christian times to the present. The journey is currently completed by pilgrims on foot, on bicycle, on horse, in car, or even using scooters.
A Brief History; Fact Mingles with Myth on the Way of Saint James
The history of the Camino de Santiago is a dynamic mixture of legend and fact. Saint James was martyred in 44 AD in Judea. Yet, Spanish tradition tells that his remains were miraculously transported to the Iberian Peninsula, whether by an entourage of angels and devoted followers along the trail that would become the Camino, or in a boat directed through the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean by Heaven, to the region that would eventually become Spain's Galicia.
Thanks to a hermit's miraculous dream, the apostle's remains were rediscovered on the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain) in 813 AD. During this tumultuous era of religious dispute between Christianity and Islam in Spain, King Alfonso II declared Santiago the patron saint of the nation and worked to publicize the Camino in order to improve communication and attract Christian supporters to his territory. The Camino became an important path for Catholic indulgences and total absolution from sin, reaching its greatest point of popularity during the Middle Ages.
Today, pilgrims from all over the world travel the Camino, many for Christian or spiritual purposes, and others for cultural education, the physical challenge, or tourism. Regardless, the Camino remains extremely popular and continues to include both religious and commercial attractions.
Numerous Paths Lead to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, From Many Origin Cities
Traditionally, the Camino began the moment the pilgrim stepped out his front door and set off with Santiago in mind. Over time, countless pilgrims converged and blazed commonly-used paths, assisted in the 12th century by the release of the popular pilgrims' guidebook, Codex Calixtinus, which provided step-by-step directions for travelers in the Middle Ages.
The most common and user-friendly route is the Camino Frances, leading 780 kilometers from St. Jean Pied de Port, France, to Santiago de Compostela. Other well-known trails include the Camino del Norte from Irun, Spain (825 K); Via de la Plata from Sevilla, Spain (1000 K); the Camino Ingles from Ferrol, Spain (110 K); and the Camino Portuguesa from Porto, Portugal (230 K).
The Camino Frances (The French Way), the Most Popular Camino Route
The 780 kilometer journey from St. Jean Pied de Port is traveled by children and the elderly alike, but it is not for the weak-hearted. The trail includes the challenging crossing of the Pyrenees Mountains, a seemingly endless and hot meseta, and the mountainous regions Galicia. Even in the hot summer months, the weather fluctuates quickly between extreme heat, bitter wind and rain, and freezing nights.
Allowing a few necessary rest days, this trail can be completed in 30-35 days. Pilgrims utilize public and private albergues, which are cheap and sufficient hostels specifically for travelers of the Camino. The most difficult obstacle for pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago is finding the time to devote to such a journey, but it is also popular to complete sections of the Camino at a time, perhaps in periods of a week or two. Careful planning is necessary before embarking on this amazing journey.
Additional Links and Resources for El Camino de Santiago de Compostela Information
Planning for and Preparing to Walk the Camino
Camino History
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