History of El Caminio

El Camino de Santiago or St. James Way (the English translation) is the name given to the handful of paths for pilgrimages to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain—where the apostle Saint James the Great is said to be laid to rest.

The Camino is one of the most important Christian pilgrimages since medieval times—in existence for over 1000 years. It was considered one of three pilgrimages on which all sins could be forgiven – the others being the Via Francigena to Rome and the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Legend holds that St. James’ remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain, after his martyrdom, where they were buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. In the middle ages the route was highly traveled. However, unrest in 16th century Europe resulted in its decline. In the early 1980′s only a few pilgrims a year arrived in Santiago. Since the late 1980s the way has attracted a growing number of modern-day pilgrims from all around the globe.

Pre-Christian history

Prior to its existence as a Catholic pilgrimage, El Camino was a Roman trade route, nicknamed the Milky Way by travelers, as it followed the body of stars to the Atlantic Ocean. The iconic pilgrim scallop, in medieval times used as proof of the journey, may have been a symbol used in pre-Christian Celtic rituals of the area as a death journey towards the setting sun.

To this day many of the pilgrims continue on from Santiago de Compostela to the Atlantic coast of Galicia to finish their pilgrimage at Spain’s westernmost point Cape Finisterre. Romans called it Finisterrae (literally the end of the world in Latin). The Pilgrims' road seems related to prehistoric cults of fertility arriving to Atlantic Europe from Mediterranean shores. Symbols that may be of Ashtarte, the star within a circle, or Aphrodite, Venus coming on a shell, have been found along the roads to Compostela.

Pagan influences can still be seen along the Way; indeed some of the modern-day pilgrims themselves are attracted more to the pagan legends associated with the Way rather than the Christian.

The modern-day pilgrimage
Today thousands of Christian pilgrims and non-Christian pilgrims each year set out from their homes, or from popular starting points across Europe. These modern-day pilgrims walk for weeks or months (100 – 1200 kilometers/ 62 -746 miles to visit the city of Santiago de Compostela.

Many people are drawn to the mysteries of the path and its intense spiritual qualities of human perseverance and deep introspection. Various movies and books have been dedicated to El Camino and the life-changing effects on its travelers.

In addition to people on a religious or spiritual pilgrimage there are many travelers and hikers who walk the route for enjoyment, travel, sport or simply the challenge of weeks of walking in a foreign land.