What is Camino de Santiago and what do you need to know?

Camino de Santiago – also called the Trail of Saint. James – a pilgrimage to the grave of St. James to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. What does it involve and why do many people decide to walk this route every year?

About Saint James

James was the son of Zebedee and the brother of Saint. John the Evangelist. According to various sources, he came to Spain with his disciples in the years 33-43 AD to conduct missionary work. He failed, so he returned to the Holy Land. He died there in 44 AD after being tortured.
Witnesses to his death took the body and sailed away to bury Jacob in a safe place. According to legend, they reached Finisterra, which in Latin means „end of the earth” (at that time it was believed that this was actually the end of the world, other continents were unknown).
The disciples carried the body several dozen kilometers away, led by an angel, and then buried their teacher. This place was kept secret due to persecution in the Holy Land. For this reason, over time, Jacob’s burial place was forgotten.
Between the years 788 and 838, the hermit Pelagius received a revelation in which he learned that a „field of stars” would lead him to the place where the tomb of Saint James was located.
In Spanish, „Saint James” is „Santiago”, and in Latin, „field of stars” is „campus stella”. Therefore, the settlement where the cathedral was later built was called Santiago de Compostela.”*

 

Why do people do the Camino?

The first reason is religion, because the Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrimage routes. Pilgrims embark on a long journey to reach the tomb of Saint. Jacob. It is also possible to obtain an indulgence – you must say a prayer, undergo the sacrament of penance and reconciliation and receive communion. **
There is no denying that Spain is a picturesque country, so the views alone encourage you to go on a hike. Such a route is also a great opportunity to test yourself and your abilities.
Other reasons are different situations or life circumstances. We met many people and each of them had a different reason – the desire to change their lives, find a new path in life… In fact, every reason to walk the Camino is good. One thing is certain – an unforgettable adventure and great memories await you!

 

Where to start?

The idea is to start by moving beyond your home. Obviously, it’s not easy when you live several countries away from Spain (although we heard on the route about a Pole who set off from Poland).
Here is a map of the trails from my pilgrim passport. The trails in Spain are very well marked, so you don’t have to worry about it. Once we had completed the Camino and were walking along the trail for a while, only in the opposite direction, many people stopped to tell us that Santiago was in the other direction. So as you can see, it’s impossible to get lost here.
We highly recommend the „Buen Camino” application, where you can mark the trail you are taking and then see where you should go next. The application also shows places to sleep and other attractions.

 

Where to eat?

The trail leads through picturesque areas, but that doesn’t mean it’s a complete wasteland without a single living soul. Along the way, you pass various larger and smaller towns with restaurants, bars, and shops. But I think it’s worth planning your days so that you’re aware of when there will be a shop, etc., so that you don’t run out of the last food supplies along the way.
When it comes to water, there were often water taps on our trail – many people used them and filled their bottles – not only pilgrims, but also people who went jogging, etc.
Unfortunately, about halfway through the route, we had a bad situation where we got sick, had diarrhea and vomited. When we talked to people on the trail, many people had the same problem. Apparently there were some bacteria in the water. We used bottles with a filter, but it still happened to us 🙁 . From then on, we only bought bottled water.
Maybe when you do the Camino, there will be no such problem, but I wanted to write this so that you are aware that such situations also happen.

 

Where to sleep?

I think the most popular option is an albergue – it is a hostel for pilgrims (here I explain in detail what an albergue is). You can also sleep in regular hotels, hostels or shelters. I heard that some people slept on couchsurfing (it’s an application where people offer accommodation for free), we tried, but unfortunately it didn’t work out.
We slept in a tent for most of the trail. The advantage is that you can sleep whenever and wherever you want. The downside is that you have to carry it around all the time.
You can also sleep outdoors. We had the opportunity to sleep like this a few times and I must admit that it is amazing – you fall asleep looking at the stars. It is a unique experience and I recommend everyone to try it!

 

Pilgrim’s passport

Also called „credencial”. This is your proof that you are walking the Camino. On the first page there is a place for basic information about you – name and surname, date and place of starting the pilgrimage, how you do it (because the Camino can be ridden by bike or even on horseback!), etc. On the following pages you collect stamps along with the date. Where to find a stamp? In fact, you can get them everywhere – in the church, in the bar where you stopped for breakfast, in the albergue… Local residents know „what I mean”, often it was enough for us to show them the credencial and they immediately stamped it.
You can buy a pilgrim’s passport in the church or at the tourist information office. Ours cost €2 each.

 

Why collect stamps at all?

If you want to sleep in an albergue, the owners will want to see if you are even a pilgrim. Such places are often intended only for pilgrims.
When you get to Santiago de Compostela, you can receive a diploma for it. It is free of charge and can be obtained from the Pilgrim’s Reception Office, located near the cathedral. To get such a diploma, you must have a stamp for each day of your hike, and for the last hundred kilometers, two per day.
It is also possible to obtain a second diploma that confirms the number of kilometers you have traveled; it costs a few euros.

 

 

 

On the trail, passing pilgrims call each other „Buen Camino” or „Well Camino”, they greet each other this way, but also wish each other a good trail. And that’s what I wish for you too, so as they say – Buen Camino! ♥

 

Sources:

* Ceglińska, (A). „Legenda o św. Jakubie”.
** „Año Santo”