{"id":24960,"date":"2018-07-06T08:56:41","date_gmt":"2018-07-05T23:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=24960"},"modified":"2022-11-07T13:31:08","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T03:01:08","slug":"camino-de-santiago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/camino-de-santiago\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain’s Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is a Camino?<\/h2>\n

The word \u2018Camino\u2019 in Spanish simply means path, road, way, journey. The Camino de Santiago is a network of paths that lead to a cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Throughout Europe, there are hundreds of these paths that all lead to many different places of worship. It is said to be one of three main pilgrimages that all sins can be forgiven, the other two are Via Francigena ending in Rome and Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

The Camino de Santiago or \u2018The Way of St James\u2019 has become the most popular of all paths and has existed since the medieval times, however it is believed to have been a path of significance beforehand with the ancient pagans and even suggested with the Romans who concurred Spain and perhaps Santiago de Compostela was even a Roman shrine.<\/p>\n

For Christian pilgrims, the route to Santiago is of importance and is said to be the burial site of St. James when his remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to the north-west of Spain then buried at the site of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.<\/p>\n

Why do people undertake this journey?<\/h2>\n

Not all pilgrims in these modern times walk necessarily for religious reasons. Some walk for personal spiritual growth, others for the experience, some for the challenge. Whatever the reason, the popularity has grown considerably since the 1980s when the Camino Franc\u00e9s was declared the first European Cultural Route and even more so in recent years as more people become more aware of its existence through movies, such as ‘The Way\u2019 and \u2018Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago\u2019. Also, with social media and people sharing their journeys online it also encourages others to walk it.<\/p>\n

\"Posing<\/p>\n

People complete this pilgrimage for all kinds of personal reasons.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Where to start your pilgrimage<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A Camino traditionally begins from your home and many do start from their front door, others choose to start at the beginning of one of the various routes you can take. This is a decision entirely up to you to make.<\/p>\n

With a variety of paths to Santiago to choose, many first time walkers take the most popular route – the Camino Franc\u00e9s. This starts in the village of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France before crossing the Pyrenees into Spain. It is roughly 790kms long.<\/p>\n

The statistics of pilgrims completing their Camino in 2017 was approximately 301,006 with around 180,726 of these having walked the Franc\u00e9s route. Other popular routes include the Caminho Portug\u00e9s, Camino del Norte and Camino Ingl\u00e9s.<\/p>\n

For a pilgrim to qualify for a Compostela certificate they need to at least complete 100km or 200km if on a bike into Santiago. This means for many pilgrims walking they would start in the village of Sarria (110km to Santiago).<\/p>\n

\"Cross<\/p>\n

There are several paths to choose to begin your pilgrimage.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

How long does it take to walk the Camino?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you are walking the Franc\u00e9s route, the average time one takes is around 35 days. This will have you walking at approximately 25 km per day. I always suggest to people to look at what your body is capable to achieve comfortably and add a few extra days to it, so you can have a rest day every now and then. If you only have 30 days for example, then consider either a shorter route or start closer to the destination point.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t push yourself too fast as you won\u2019t enjoy it as much, you will also miss out on some great sites, plus you are more at risk of injury which could have you leave the path earlier. This is something I see all the time on my various walking trips.<\/p>\n

\"Sign<\/p>\n

Consider your physical capabilities when choosing the length of your trip.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

When to go<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The pilgrimage season starts around April and ends late October with the busiest times being July, August and September.<\/p>\n

It is not recommended to walk any of the southern sections of the Via de la Plata, Mozarabe or de Levante during the hottest time of summer as the temperatures can get into the extremely high 30\u2019s. Even walking across the Meseta on the Franc\u00e9s Route can be extremely hot as it is very exposed with little shade.<\/p>\n

It is also recommended not to walk during the winter months as it can get bitterly cold and on the higher points like the passes over the Pyrenees, the snow makes it quite dangerous with pilgrims each year losing their lives to the elements. Several of the Pilgrim accommodations are not open during the winter months as well.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

Choose milder conditions for your journey, so that you don’t get yourself into trouble.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

How to get there<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you are planning to walk the Franc\u00e9s route of the Camino, you can fly into either Madrid or Barcelona then travel by train or bus out to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Or, you can fly into Paris and there are daily trains from Gare Montparnasse with one change over.<\/p>\n

For any of the other routes, you can access them by train and bus from Madrid and Barcelona.<\/p>\n

Credential or the Pilgrims Passport<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is another item the pilgrims of today carry with great pride, in the middle ages it was considered the pilgrim’s safeguard. The passport, also known as their credential, is a very important document that the pilgrim carries with them whilst either walking, cycling, horseback on the Camino. This is a way that the pilgrim is identified and allows them to be able to stay in various \u2018pilgrim accommodation\u2019 along the way.<\/p>\n

It is also a way of proving that they are indeed a pilgrim as they collect a stamp, (sello)\u00a0each day from a place they had stayed and once in the region of Galicia (the last 100km) they are required to collect 2 stamps per day. It will prove that the pilgrim walked at least the last 100km into Santiago which is the necessary distance to be able to collect one’s Compostela certificate. This is the official testament to the pilgrim\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n

One can collect their stamps from a variety of places including their accommodation, churches, cafes, post offices – almost anywhere. They will receive their final stamp at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.<\/p>\n

You can pick up your credential at the start of your journey like at the Alburgues, churches or order them online through sites like The Confraternity of Saint James<\/a> or the Australian Friends of the Camino<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Pilgrimage<\/p>\n

This is what the credential looks like with all the stamps at the end of your journey.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Way-markers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When walking one of the Caminos, you will find yourself following yellow painted arrows across the country. These can be painted in many different places like on a rock, a road, a fence – anywhere. I always liken it to the \u2018Where\u2019s Wally\u2019<\/em> game. The yellow arrows in Spanish are called \u2018flechas\u2019<\/em> simply meaning arrows and just point the way.<\/p>\n

There are other signs you will find to follow as well, these being a symbol of a \u2018Concha\u2019,<\/em> a scallop shell. They can be found often on a tile that is placed on a signpost, in the pavement or even on local houses and fences. Over the years there have been many stories behind the meaning of using the shell symbol. Some are of religious stories, or directional with the lines of the shell representing the different pilgrim routes that all come together in one place, this being Santiago de Compostela.<\/p>\n

Some reasons are as simple as it was a tool used by the pilgrim like a plate to eat off or a way of scooping water to drink from a steam whilst on their journey. Today, pilgrims carry the shell on their packs with pride, a symbol to show that they are indeed a pilgrim.<\/p>\n

\"Trail<\/p>\n

Here’s an example of what a trail marker looks like on the Camino paths.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Accommodation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are various places for a pilgrim to stay on their journey along the way. The most common and popular is to stay in the Albergues or Refugio\u2019s, these are pilgrim hostels and one is only allowed to stay if they carry a pilgrim\u2019s passport. These places offer a bed for the weary pilgrim and it can be in a dormitory style hostel, a church, an old renovated barn, or a schoolhouse. The rooms may sleep just a few pilgrims or up to hundred – they are all different.<\/p>\n

The cost can be from a donation or \u20ac5\u2013\u20ac15 as an average, sometimes a little higher. With the pilgrim\u2019s passport, you can occasionally get \u2018Pilgrim discount\u2019<\/em> at other forms of accommodation like hotels and B&Bs.<\/p>\n

What would you expect to find in an Albergue?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

These are places that are run by volunteers (hospitalero\/hospitalera) <\/em>and offer the very basics for the pilgrim. You will find a bed in most (though sometimes you will need a mat for the floor), a shower and a communal kitchen. Staying at an Albergue isn\u2019t for everyone, but it certainly does add to the whole of the Camino experience. This can be very rewarding for some to share their journey with other pilgrims over a meal at night.<\/p>\n

\"Beds<\/p>\n

Here’s an example of what you can expect an Albergue to look like.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Do I need to book ahead for an Albergue?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Not always, though through the busy season it can be helpful. Do be aware that not all places take bookings and it comes as a first-in, first-served basis. For some of the lesser used routes, like the Via de la Plata, it’s not needed.<\/p>\n

What to take<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Less is always best. Many pilgrims find along the way they have too much gear. Do remember you are walking from town to town, so there are shops along the way. When choosing what gear to pack, go for the lightest options, as your body will thank you for it.<\/p>\n

\"Posing<\/p>\n

Stopping to take a photo with the famous pilgrim statue.<\/em><\/p>\n

The basic packing list for the Camino<\/strong><\/h2>\n