What is the Camino?
During the Middle Ages the tomb of the apostle Saint James was discovered in Galicia in northwestern Spain. Soon a network of pilgrimage routes sprang up to accommodate those travelling to it to pay homage. In Galician the Latin for St. James (Sanctus Iacobus) became Santiago. And the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) began.
Later a cathedral was built to house the tomb in what became the city Santiago de Compostela. For over a thousand years pilgrims have made their way, mainly on foot, to the cathedral. Although pilgrimages never ceased, war and political upheavals drastically reduced the numbers of pilgrims. Then in 1987 the Camino became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and became popular once again.
The traditional symbol of the Camino is a scallop shell which is common on the shoreline in Galicia. Pilgrims identify themselves by wearing a scallop shell and it is used to mark the route and guide pilgrims along the way.
Later a cathedral was built to house the tomb in what became the city Santiago de Compostela. For over a thousand years pilgrims have made their way, mainly on foot, to the cathedral. Although pilgrimages never ceased, war and political upheavals drastically reduced the numbers of pilgrims. Then in 1987 the Camino became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and became popular once again.
The traditional symbol of the Camino is a scallop shell which is common on the shoreline in Galicia. Pilgrims identify themselves by wearing a scallop shell and it is used to mark the route and guide pilgrims along the way.
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