WHAT is the Camino de Santiago

Many of you have asked me, “What is the Camino- and why in the world are you doing it?”

The Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrims' ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried. Many

follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth.  Travelers can take one of dozens of pilgrimage routes to Santiago. 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 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. In the ‘80s, the route was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then, the route has attracted a growing number of modern-day international pilgrims- over 250,000 begin the journey annually. Many choose to complete the entire 800km (500 mile) CF route, while others break the journey into shorter pieces to complete their pilgrimage over several years.

Imagine if you will, simple pilgrims making this arduous journey since the 8^th century. Pilgrims today continue this same spiritual and physical journey- albeit now in wicking garments and high-tech hiking gear. The path is now regularly marked with yellow arrows pointing pilgrims toward Santiago.

In Spain, France and Portugal, pilgrim's hostels with bunk beds in dormitories provide overnight accommodation for pilgrims who hold a credencial (a pilgrims’passport of sorts). These aubergues (as they are called in Spain) may be run by the local parish, private owners or pilgrims' associations.  With the growth in popularity of the Camino, many small family-run inns also dot the path. Your pilgrim credential provides access to accommodations along the way and must be stamped daily, serving as proof to the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago that you accomplished your journey to receive your compostela (certificate of completion of the pilgrimage). Pilgrims who have walked at least the last 100 km (62 miles), or cycled 200 km (120 miles) are eligible for a compostela.