SO, WHAT IS THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO?

The Camino de Santiago or The Way of Saint James, is a network of ancient pilgrimage paths though the Spanish, Portuguese and Continental European countryside, that end at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, believed to be the burial site of the apostle St James the Greater who was martyred around 44AD.

The medieval Christian world had three major pilgrimage sites, Rome in the south, Jerusalem in the east and Santiago de Compostela in the west.  Between the 11th and 13th centuries, Santiago de Compostela was the most popular route.

The route has been walked by thousands of pilgrims and is often referred to as El Camino which literally means, The Way.  The first pilgrims were recorded around 950 AD and over the centuries accommodation, churches, roads and whole towns were built to cater to the growing number of pilgrims or peregrinos as they are known.  Pilgrims on the pilgrimage routes reached their peak numbers in the 12th century and continued at a lesser rate into the late 17th century.  From then on it was mostly devout Spaniard who undertook the pilgrimage, but the 1900's saw a revival in the Camino.  In 1937 Santiago (St James) was officially declared the patron saint of Spain and in 1987 the Camino was declared a World Heritage Site.

In 1986, 2491 pilgrims received the officIial certificate of completion - The Compostela.  Last year over 190.000 completed the Camino.  The most popular route, which starts at Se Jean Pied de Port (St John at the foot of the pass) in the French Pyrenees and ends at Santiago de Compostela, is known as the Camino Frances.  There are many other routes in Spain and 5 in France, all leading to Santiago.  The majority of those who complete the Camino  Frances start in the town of Sarria which is about 100 kilometers from Santiago.  Those who start here and finish are able to get their Compostela.  Others start a various towns and cities along the path and many take several years to complete the walk, walking during their vacations.

CAMINO de SANTIAGO



I've been considering walking the Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain for sometime now.  A 500 mile pilgrim's route over the Pyrenees and across Northern Spain.  Most people who complete the trek accomplish the task in 30 to 35 days, carrying only the minimum on their back.  Staying in Albergues, (think hostels) in villages and towns along the way.  I've been reading about the Camino, also known as The Way, both in books and on-line and asking questions of those who have gone before me.

The plan thus far is to do it.  That I am sure of.  If everything goes according to plan I will go next year most likely in the fall.  Ok, so you ask, Why?  Well if you know me you know I like to hike and travel.  This way I'll be combining two of my passions.  Also, I like the challenge of the walk and meeting new people from different parts of the world and backgrounds appeals to me.  Last year almost 200,000 people completed the Camino so I'll have lots of company.  Many only walk the last 100 kilometers and others start at various places along the path.

As I prepare for my Camino I will be posting my progress and more information about the Camino.  I may start a new blog just for the Camino, but I haven't made a final decision about that.

Since have you asked, why in the world would I want to walk 500 miles across Spain?  Besides those reasons I stated above, this video I found on YouTube answers some of the deeper reasons as to why.  It was made by a man who along with his daughter walked the Camino in 2008.  Take 5 minutes and watch the video HERE