The Camino de Santiago, also known as “The Way of St James” is really a collection of old pilgrimage routes all of which have one thing in common, their destination, SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA in north west Spain.
Santiago de Compostela was named after the Apostle Saint James who was sent by the Romans , in those days to "Finis Terrae", "end of the world", to preach and convert people to Christianity. The pilgrimship Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James), is now considered by Unesco a World Heritage Site. monuments. The town is named after the Apostle Saint James
Many of the modern pilgrims are Catholics think the difficult journey to Santiago will halve their stay in the purgatory, at least this is one of the historical reasons to complete the Camino de Santiago. But you don’t have to be religious to make this fascinating journey. For over 1000 years pilgrims , young, old, religious, fit, unfit or otherwise have been walking along these historic routes with the main one being the “ Camino Frances” the French Route.
The Camino Frances traditionally starts in St Jean Pied de Port and finishes in Santiago de Compostela about 745 km later, after traveling the breadth of Northern Spain.
Pilgrims who travel these routes come from far and wide with the earliest recorded pilgrims visiting the shrine from over the Pyrenees dating back to the mid 10th Century s although was probably about a century later that pilgrims from abroad where journeying there in larger numbers. The first recorded pilgrim from England was between 1092 and 1105. By the early 12th century the pilgrimage was very well organized using four established routes from starting points in France , converging in the Basque country of the western Pyrenees. The routes track across Northern Spain linking Burgos, Lugo Bilbao, Oviedo and other major cities and towns.
Many establishments other related business have grown up along the routes to furbish the pilgrim trade . lodgings, hospices, shops selling all kinds of paraphernalia such badges, souvenirs, and the remarkable guide-book put together in about 1140.
Historic symbols of the Camino de Santiago are the scallop edged conch shell which you will see all along the 'Camino de Santiago' roads. It was used to dip water from streams on the way. Many Pilgrims carry a walking stick which can be very useful along the way.
Gary
