about the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is a series of traditional pilgrimage routes leading to the city of Santiago de Compostela, the burial place of Saint James (Santiago in Spanish), the disciple of Jesus. In medieval times, pilgrims flocked from all our Europe to visit the tomb and receive blessing. The routes have been revived in the late 20th century and again pilgrims are drawn from around the world to make the journey on foot to Santiago.
The main route, the Camino Francés, begins on the French border in the sleepy town of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and stretches over 800km (500 miles) to Santiago de Compostela near the western coast of Spain. The path follows the route laid out in the first pilgrim guidebook, the Codex Calixtinus, from the 12th century. Today, over 100,000 pilgrims make the trek along the Camino Francés.
Other popular Camino routes include the Camino del Norte or Coastal route, which begins in Irún and follows the coast to Santiago; the Camino Portugués, which follows the coast up from Lisboa, Portugal; the Le Puy route, which begins in Le Puy, France, and arrives at the starting point of the Camino Francés; the Vía de la Plata, which begins in Sevilla; and the Camino Finisterre, which leads from Santiago to the coastal town of Finisterre.
The Story of St. James and the Camino
Legend and oral history recount that Saint James ministered in Spain before returning to the Holy Land, where he was martyred. Poor James was none too successful in his efforts, amassing a total of only seven followers. After his death in Jerusalem, the legend continues that his body was transported to Spain in a ship made of stone and steered by angels. The legend picks us again in 813 when the shepherd Pelayo saw a bright light in a field, which led him to the martyred disciples grave. A small chapel was built on the site which was later expanded in a marvelous cathedral.
In the Middle Ages, people from all over Christendom left their home and made the perilous journey to Santiago to visit the grave of Saint James. The main pilgrimage cities of that time were Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago, and Santiago was the primary destination for those traveling on foot (rather than by sea). Pilgrim hospices (lodging) were developed by churches along the routes for pilgrims to find shelter and food. The church encouraged pilgrimage, but likely had the ulterior motive of maintaining Christian control over Iberia at a time that the Muslim presence strong in the south and moving northward. A legend from the Battle of Clavijo in 844 says that Saint James appeared to the Christian army riding a white horse and charged into battle to defeat the Muslim armies. Saint James became known as “Santiago Matamoros,” or Saint James the Moor-Slayer.
There were many reasons that people set out from their home to journey to Santiago. Many were ill and dying, or had some kind of physical deformity that they wanted to ask Saint James to heal. Others traveled to ask for healing for a family member or loved one. Priests would sometimes “prescribe” a pilgrimage to Santiago as penance for someone who had committed a great sin. Perhaps others were simply seeking a great adventure after living most of their life in a small village.
Having done some extensive research on this Camino Frances route
I am now thinking I will take this route instead
it is approximately the same distance but knowing my love of the ocean I prefer the second one…just starting to read about it and it is called Camino del Norte it is supposed to be less popular so fewer other walkers and a bit more hilly…anyway lots of time to decide…
Had a really easy day this morning was just just lounging around the casita doing odds and ends..Skyped my Bro, Malc and his charming bride Janet…they are so excited after over 30 years of being in the same home on Friday they are moving to their new bungalow…good wishes to you both for a safe and happy move and please do not forget I want some color on the walls of my bedroom.
I went and searched out a new route for a hike on the scooter and it will be a good one including hiking on roads and gravel paths and some nice scenery will show you when I do it…it is about 23 km….
I spent a bit of time going back on my blog if you are interested in these photos go back to August 30th 2011…what a day to remember!!!!
Hockey yet again this is getting repetitive I know!!!!
Yashi Koshi!!
