What is the Camino?

What is the Camino?

The Camino de Santiago consists of a network of footpaths all across Western Europe that lead to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried. His remains were discovered in 812 AD in Santiago de Compostela, though he was beheaded in 44 AD in Jerusalem when he became the first of the apostles to die a martyr. After his martyrdom, his body was taken to Spain to be buried at Santiago de Compostela.

Since then, walking the Camino has become one of the world’s most popular pilgrimages, dating back to the Middle Ages. Under certain circumstances, the Catholic Church has encouraged pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela and would grant a plenary indulgence to those who made the journey (earning an indulgence allows you a special privilege to reduce the time that you would spend in purgatory after death.)

There was a long period of time when the Camino was deserted and forgotten. No one was walking it. Then in the early 1980’s, the routes became of interest again. Today, an estimated 200,000 pilgrims trek across the Camino each year. The most popular routes leading to Santiago de Compostela are about 500 miles in length and take approximately 30-35 days to complete.

Why would someone do this?

The idea of a pilgrimage across Europe seems exciting, challenging, and fun. Only about 28% of pilgrims today are walking to Santiago de Compostela as a means of religious enlightenment. In fact, there are more people along the paths that are simply in search of a time-out from work and life, are seeking the challenge of walking 20-30 kilometers per day, and are looking to make friends from all over the globe and feel the camaraderie that only the Camino can offer. The thought of walking from one quaint European village to the next, day after day and without the constant ping of a mobile device and having the ability to escape the noise and pressures of modern day life, feels immensely liberating.

How does it work?

Pilgrims walking the Camino stay in hostel type dormitories in villages and hamlets along the way called Albergues. They cost around 10 euros per night and are only available to pilgrims who are walking the Camino. Sometimes Albergues are located in a monastery or church, some are municipal and run by the government, but often they are privately owned by locals.

Pilgrims need to acquire a “pilgrims passport” at the start of their Camino journey. A pilgrims passport is a document that identifies you as a pilgrim and provides proof that you have completed the required distance to be considered a completer of the Camino. The pilgrim’s passport is also necessary to procure accommodations at Albergues along the way. Pilgrims will produce their passports in bars, cafes, shops, and churches, and Albergues to earn a stamp at each pit-stop to prove that they passed through specific villages, towns, and hamlets along the Camino.

When pilgrims arrive in Santiago de Compostela at the end of the Camino, they will present their stamped passports to earn their certificate of completion, also known as a Compostela. In order to earn the Compostela, pilgrims must prove that they walked a minimum of 100 kilometers, however, the majority of pilgrims will have walked over 30 days and 800km before the reach the sacred site where Saint James’ remains are interned.