THE JOURNEY
The Camino de Santiago, the Way of Saint James, is an epic spiritual pilgrimage.
Camino de Santiago, the way of Saint James, is an epic and arduous pilgrimage many people undertake. There are roughly 5 main routes that wind through the country of Spain. But no matter which one you take, you always end up at the same place, the magnificent Santiago de Compostela.
The Way of Saint James Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Galicia. The city’s Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th-century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago). In 1985 the city’s Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Legend has it that the remains of the apostle James were brought to Galicia for burial. In 813, according to medieval legend, the light of a bright star guided a shepherd who was watching his flock at night to the burial site in Santiago de Compostela.
The shepherd quickly reported his discovery to the bishop of Iria, Bishop Teodomiro. The bishop declared that the remains were those of the apostle James and immediately notified King Alfonso II in Oviedo. To honour St. James, the cathedral was built on the spot where his remains were said to have been found.
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Pilgrims from all over the world have traveled to Santiago since the 10th century to atone for their sins and visit the tomb of St James.
