The Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage, also known as the Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James, is one of the most renowned spiritual journeys in the world, attracting pilgrims from all walks of life. Stretching across various routes through Europe, with the final destination being the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, this pilgrimage holds deep historical, cultural, and religious significance.
The origins of the Camino de Santiago date back to the medieval period when the remains of St. James the Apostle were believed to have been discovered in the 9th century in the region of Galicia, Spain. This discovery transformed the site into a major pilgrimage destination with approximately 350,000 trekkers participating each year.
There are various routes you can choose with the French way being the most popular and longest at 800 kms. This route begins in the French Pyrenees and traverses through the picturesque countryside of northern Spain, passing through charming villages, historic towns and lush landscapes. There is also the Portuguese way and the North Way and other routes.
Pilgrims, as the participants are called, carry a passport which must be stamped at various stops along the route. You must walk a minimum of 100 kms to receive a certificate in Santiago de Compostela where the journey ends in the grandeur of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
The pilgrimage is not only a religious journey but also a deeply personal and transformative experience for many pilgrims. Walking the Camino provides an opportunity for introspection, spiritual growth, and connection with nature and fellow seekers. It’s a pilgrimage of self-discovery, where physical exertion meets moments of quiet contemplation.
I know people who have completed some or all of this life-altering trek.
Did I mention I am not one of them.
No, I cannot tell you tales about my aching back, sore muscles or my blistered and bandaged feet. I cannot share stories of sleepless nights spent in shared hostels or auberges with fellow travelers. I can’t regale you with stories of rain-soaked days or challenging the elements. Or fatigue.
However, I did follow the gold coloured shells embedded in the ground with directional arrows found in Porto in Portugal all the way across Northern Spain to Toulouse in France.
All in the comfort of a spacious coach or train with 12 others.
Staying in luxury hotels.
How dare I even write about the Camino I can hear you saying.
My trip was still a challenging one, where as a tourist in my 70’s, I walked hundreds of kilometers, often averaging 10 kms per day and climbing countless stairs.
I prefer to call myself a traveler though, as I absorbed the culture and learned about the history and politics of the many regions I passed through.
Hearing about the dictatorship under Salazar in Portugal and Franco in Spain. Discovering Albarino wine in Galicia, or tapas called pintxos in the Basque country. The Basque language is the oldest in the world and is still spoken. So is the Catalan language next door in Catalonia. Visiting the beautiful monastery in Montserrat and Gaudi’s unfinished cathedral in Barcelona.
Mine wasn’t a spiritual journey as such but an opportunity to learn and experience so much nevertheless.
For two of my fellow passengers, it was a journey to repair their marriage so for them this “Camino” had great spiritual significance.
“You can write that in your column,” they told me.
Done.
So, if you opt to walk the Camino, I commend you.
If you don’t, I can recommend a fabulous hotel in Santander with a great view.
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