The Camino de Santiago is a path that
pilgrims travel from all over the world to reach the city of Santiago de
Compostela in northwestern Spain, where they venerate the relics of the apostle
James. According to the legend, St. James, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus,
came to Spain to preach Christianity and was buried in the current Galicia. The
tomb was situated near Cape Finisterre (a Latin word to “the end of the earth”)
on the very western edge of Europe. We should understand that for people of the
Middle Ages the symbology of that place was huge, because they thought that
Finisterre was the end of the world and the tomb
of the Sun. For this reason the way to Finisterre
was dialed from anywhere in Europe for the stars of the Milky Way.
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After
the supposed remains of Santiago were moved to this area new Christian beliefs were added to the pagan
that already existed, and the Milky Way Path (Camino de la Vía Lactea) was
renamed: Camino de Santiago o Camino de Compostela.
Throughout history, the Camino de Santiago
has had ups and downs, times of great influx of pilgrims and others less
crowded. Currently it's a time of great growth. People from all around the
world travel to Spain, especially in summer, to follow the pilgrimage route.
Most make it on foot, but more and more people decide to make it by bike and
some even opt for the horse!
But why do the Camino? What if I am not a
Christian? Although medieval pilgrims traveled the Camino de Santiago mainly
for religious reasons, now this has changed. Of course, many pilgrims still
have religious or spiritual reasons, but many others decide to make the way for
sport, adventure or cultural reasons: they can meet new people or simply try a
different experience. Whether biking, walking or on horseback, alone or in
groups, in whole or in part, the fact is that the Camino engages most of the
people who start it, representing for them a fascinating experience. What about
to visit Spain and try this experience?
The Roads to
Santiago
There is not a just a way to Santiago: we
must not forget that the ancient pilgrims left the door of his own house to go
to Santiago and so every way was, therefore, different. Nowadays the most known
ones are:
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The French Way: The most popular route today and the main
gateway to the Camino from France and elsewhere in Europe. In Spain it starts
in Roncesvalles (Navarra) and runs up to 775 km to Santiago.
The Northern Way: It seems it is the oldest and most used by
pilgrims in the Middle Ages. Departs from Irun (Basque Country) and travels 820
km to Santiago, always near the coast.
El Camino Aragonés: It travels 162 km in Aragon until it joins
the French Way at Puente de la Reina (Navarra)
El Camino de la Plata (Silver way): Was the main road to
Santiago from southern Spain. It starts in Sevilla and joins the French Way in
Astorga (Castilla León)
The Way has no fixed stages, so you can do
every day as many kilometers as you want and you can stop when and where you want!
Here you have just a list of some emblematic hostels on the French way I tried.
The Path is many things;
pilgrimage, cooperation, learning,
sharing ... but today, due to the
masificiación of the pilgrimage route, you run the risk of
losing the true spirit of the Camino. Some lodges in
the French route help keep this spirit of community:
Albergue Parroquial de Santiago (Logroño): Great hospitality, community dinner and
everything for a donation price! Undoubtedly one of the best hostels I've found
on the Road
Albergue Parroquial San Juan Bautista (Grañón): This small hostel is located between Santo
Domingo de la Calzada and Belorado. Hospitality, community breakfast and dinner
for a donation!
Albergue de San Nicolàs: Located just before the entrance to the
village of Itero de la Vega, this beautiful lodge offers authenticity, great
hospitality and authentic Italian food! Don't miss it!
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Albergue del Espiritu Santo (Carrión de los Condes) Located in the hearth
of Castilla, this hostel, run by nuns, is an example of hospitality and
cleanness. Don’t miss the encounter at 6 p.m where the nuns sing and play the
guitar!
Albergue de Bercianos del Real Camino: Great hostel with
community dinner and breakfast. With any doubt it preserves the authentic
spirit of the Camino.
Alba Tarroc, Spain
Photo: Laura Mallada and
Mira Soldo
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