What is the Camino?
Sounds intriguing - and exotic - and it is!
In the 12th and 13th centuries "el Camino de Santiago de Compostela
was the most traveled pilgrimage trail in Europe.
Santiago, along with Jerusalem and Rome,
was one of the three most important
pilgrimage destinations in the Christian world.
In the 12th and 13th centuries "el Camino de Santiago de Compostela
was the most traveled pilgrimage trail in Europe.
Santiago, along with Jerusalem and Rome,
was one of the three most important
pilgrimage destinations in the Christian world.
El Camino means "the Way.
It is from the Spanish word caminar, to walk.
This is the name commonly used for a network
of hundreds of medieval pilgrimage trails across Europe -
all leading to the tomb of St. James the Greater
in Santiago de Compostela,
the city named after him near the west coast of northern Spain.
It is from the Spanish word caminar, to walk.
This is the name commonly used for a network
of hundreds of medieval pilgrimage trails across Europe -
all leading to the tomb of St. James the Greater
in Santiago de Compostela,
the city named after him near the west coast of northern Spain.
The Word 'Compostela'
Some linguists claim that the name is derived from the Latin word 'compostium' meaning burial place. Others say it is from 'campus stellae' or field of stars.
Together, the three words form the name 'el Camino de Santiago de Compostela' -- The Way of St. James in the Field of the Stars.
Some linguists claim that the name is derived from the Latin word 'compostium' meaning burial place. Others say it is from 'campus stellae' or field of stars.
Together, the three words form the name 'el Camino de Santiago de Compostela' -- The Way of St. James in the Field of the Stars.
The Legend of St. James
Legend claims that James (brother of the apostle John) evangelized inSpain after the death of Christ. When he returned to Jerusalem around 44 AD, he was beheaded by Herod Agrippa.
His friends snuck his body (and his head) out of Jerusalem and he was taken to Spain in a stone boat with no sails, blown across the sea by angels!
St. James was buried on a hillside near Compostela. The tomb was forgotten for about 800 years. Around 813, a hermit by the name of Pelayo saw a field of stars above a mound, and upon investigation, discovered a Christian necropolis. The remains were identified by the local bishop as those of James the Greater.
The news of the discovery spread through the Christian world like wildfire and soon many pilgrims started visiting his tomb in Spain.
Legend claims that James (brother of the apostle John) evangelized inSpain after the death of Christ. When he returned to Jerusalem around 44 AD, he was beheaded by Herod Agrippa.
His friends snuck his body (and his head) out of Jerusalem and he was taken to Spain in a stone boat with no sails, blown across the sea by angels!
St. James was buried on a hillside near Compostela. The tomb was forgotten for about 800 years. Around 813, a hermit by the name of Pelayo saw a field of stars above a mound, and upon investigation, discovered a Christian necropolis. The remains were identified by the local bishop as those of James the Greater.
The news of the discovery spread through the Christian world like wildfire and soon many pilgrims started visiting his tomb in Spain.
The Christians vs. the Moors
Jerusalem fell to the armies of Islam in 636 AD and less than a century later, in 711, Spain was also invaded and conquered. The Moors rapidly reached northern Spain, and sent raiding parties into France. In northwest Spain, however, a small Christian kingdom, including Asturias and present-day Galicia, emerged in the 8th century. It was during the reign of Alfonso II that the Apostle's tomb was discovered near Finisterre.
Jerusalem fell to the armies of Islam in 636 AD and less than a century later, in 711, Spain was also invaded and conquered. The Moors rapidly reached northern Spain, and sent raiding parties into France. In northwest Spain, however, a small Christian kingdom, including Asturias and present-day Galicia, emerged in the 8th century. It was during the reign of Alfonso II that the Apostle's tomb was discovered near Finisterre.
A few years later Santiago was seen on a white horse, brandishing a hefty sword at the victorious battle of Clavijo between Christians and Muslims and he became know as Santiago Matamoros, 'The Moor Slayer."
Pilgrimage Renewed
The Pilgrimage to visit the relics of St. James became an important road, and although the Black Death, wars, and the Reformation in the 15th and 16th Centuries brought an end to some of the great Christian pilgrimages, after 400 years pilgrims of all ages are still trekking the old trails to the tomb of Santiago in ever-increasing numbers.
What will You See on This Trip?
Well, you will cross the tall Pyrenees...
Pilgrimage Renewed
The Pilgrimage to visit the relics of St. James became an important road, and although the Black Death, wars, and the Reformation in the 15th and 16th Centuries brought an end to some of the great Christian pilgrimages, after 400 years pilgrims of all ages are still trekking the old trails to the tomb of Santiago in ever-increasing numbers.
What will You See on This Trip?
Well, you will cross the tall Pyrenees...
You will see unique churches and cross old stone bridges
You will drink from ancient fountains. . .
Some days you will walk in the rain or fog.
Other days will be sunny and warm.
Other days will be sunny and warm.
You will see dramatic, inspiring, and thought-provoking works of art . .
You will walk through verdant valleys, fields of wildflowers
or perhaps vineyards, depending on the month you travel.
or perhaps vineyards, depending on the month you travel.
You will walk through bustling cities and lazy valleys. You may see ruins of old cathedrals, green forests, and quiet stone villages
You will walk on old Roman road, on rough trail, and on modern highways
|
You will walk until you think you're going to drop,
soak your feet, rest, and walk again. 
|
|
And after 3 weeks of walking, contemplating,
taking in the spectacular sights,
and making new friends,
if you simply put one foot in front of the other,
you will finally reach Santiago de Compostela!
taking in the spectacular sights,
and making new friends,
if you simply put one foot in front of the other,
you will finally reach Santiago de Compostela!
