Camino de Santiago

Camino de Santiago or also known as The Way of St James has existed for more than a thousand years. During medieval times, Camino de Santiago was one of the three most important Christian pilgrimages together with Rome and Jerusalem.

Santiago de Compostela

According to the legend St. James's remains were carried from Jerusalem to northern Spain and he was buried on the cite where the city of Santiago de Compostela is nowadays.Due to the Black Plague and the Reformation the route was forgotten by the pilgrims. In October 1987 the route was declared the first European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe and also named one of Unesco's World Heritage Sites.

This year (2010) is declared a Holy one because St James day (25th of July) falls on Sunday.
In ancient times The route to Santiago was a Roman trade route known as the Milky Way because it followed the Milky way to the Atlantic. There is no official record that the route was sacred before Christianity but is it believed that it was used as a pre-Christian Celtic death journey towards the setting sun which terminated at the Finisterra (End of the World), Costa de Morte ( the Coast of Death) or the Mare Tenebrosum ( Abyss of Death or also The Sea of Darkness) - Latin for the Atlantic ocean, named after the Dying Civilization of Atlantis.

Costa de Morte

The scallop is what led to these conclusions as it is one the symbols of Camino de Santiago and can be found on the shores of Galicia. It resembles the setting sun.
There is no evidence of that but many think that the Pilgrims' road is related to some prehistoric cults of fertility. Many ancient symbols have been found on the road to Compostela such as the star within a circle ( Ashtarte ), Venus coming on a shell ( Aphrodite ) and others representing Mari, the Mairu and the rising of Megaliths in old Basques' legends and myths.

Ashtarte star

There are many routes that lead to Compostela. Whichever you decide to take keep in mind that it will take weeks or months to get to the final point. One of the most popular ones is Via Regia ( Camino Francés ) or 'the French Way'. According to the Spanish the Pyrenees are the starting point. Common starting points are Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Somport which are on the French side or Roncesvalles or Jaca on the Spanish side. Another popular route is the Northern Route. It is very picturesque as a large part of it runs along the coastline. More information on the routes can be found on http://www.santiago-compostela.net/ and http://www.caminodesantiago.me.uk/

If you consider doing the Camino as a vacation - it will probably be the cheapest one in your life. But there are things you will need. First of all - BOOTS. Second of all - BOOTS. A ruck sack. Remember to pack light because you will be the one carrying it. Having a sleeping bag is also essential.Any kind of rain gear is a must as well. Pack only what you really can't live without like a mosquito spray.
Something every pilgrim should have is the concha peregrina ( scallop shell).

Real pilgrim

Concha peregrina

The accommodation is easy. There are hundreds of pilgrim's hostels which are extremely for those who hold a credencial. Credencial or Pilgrim's passport is a document which can be purchased for a few euros through a travel agency or a local church. This document allows accommodation in 'refugios' sometimes for free.Refugios or albergues are hostels for pilgrims only. The credencial is stamped with the official St James stamp of each town or refugio the pilgrim has stayed at. It is a record of every place you have visited and it serves as proof to the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago that the journey is done according to an official route. You need the credencial in order to receive a compostela - a certificate that proves you have completed the pilgrimage.

La concha is showing you the way

Compostela

 
While on the camino you probably won't have the time and an access to a computer to Skype home so you should consider bying a calling card or using a company which provides cheap international calls . Enjoy!