The Camino de Santiago is known in English as the Way of Saint James. It is a network of pilgrimage routes in Europe leading to the shrine of the Apostle of Saint James the Great. This shrine is located in the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried.
Saint James was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. James is described as one of the first disciples to join Jesus when he and his brother (John the Evangelist) were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee, James was distinguished as being in Jesus’ innermost circle and the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament (Acts 12:2)
Many people follow the routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. It’s also popular with hiking and cycling enthusiasts and organized tour groups.
The Way can take one of dozens of pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. Traditionally, as with most pilgrimages, the Way of Saint James began at one’s home and ended at the pilgrimage site. However, a few of the routes are considered the main ones. During the Middle Ages, the route was highly travelled. However, the Black Death, the Protestant Reformation, and political unrest in 16th century Europe led to its decline. By the 1980s, only a few hundred pilgrims per year registered in the pilgrim’s office in Santiago de Compostela. In October 1987, the route was also named one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Since the 1980s the route has attracted a growing number of modern-day international pilgrims.
Saint James’ emblem was the scallop shell (or “cockle shell”), and pilgrims to his shrine often wear this symbol as a necklace, on their hats, backpacks or clothes. The scallop shell, often found on the shores in the Galicia areas of Spain, is also the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. Over the centuries, the scallop shell has taken on a variety of meanings, metaphorical, practical, and mythical, even if its relevance may have actually derived from the desire of pilgrims to take home a souvenir. All of the people on pilgrimages that we saw walking had them.
From the moment we left Barcelona, and got into Logrono, we started to notice all of the pilgrims walking with scallop shells….and then we noticed all of the signs and sea scallop medallions on the ground and buildings to lead the way to Santiago de Compostela. There were people of all ages, and physical shape participating. When we had a chance to talk with some of them, we learned that some were only walking a short-day trip while others had huge packs on and were walking for weeks.
I did not realize how many different routes there are for this walk. I think it would be awesome to walk along some of these routes, but Wayne doesn’t want to only do it part way, if he does it….he wants to do the WHOLE thing. Here is a map of some of the most popular routes.