Magpie's Midsummer March for M. A. B. S. - The pilgrimage to Santiago De Compostela

Jávea Tbear's Alternative Guide.

Sunday, 11 May , 2008

Camino De Santiago - The Legend
The Christian legend of St. James.

Camino De Santiago - The Pilgrimage
From the Middle Ages to today

Camino De Santiago - Magpie's preparation
Blisters and biting dogs, the hidden dangers

The pilgrimage to Santiago De Compostela The pilgrimage developed in the Middle Ages, and one version says that King Charlemagne had a dream in which St James appeared and told him to clear the path from Navarre to Santiago, he is said to have done this and thereby became the first pilgrim. There is no doubt that kings such as Alfonso II helped fund the building of the Cathedral DeSantiago with one eye on benefits in the after life and the other on the benefits of the increased commercial trade that would also use the routes.
	There are several routes in Spain, one is called the English Way, and starts in Santander and passes through Asturias along the northern coast to Santiago. The Camino Plata is from Seville in the south and heads north to Astorga where it joins the most popular route known as the French Way. The traditional start of the French Way, in Spain, is at Roncevalles and passes through Navarre, La Rioja, Leon and Galicia, forming a Camino of over 761 kilometres. The route is often a single track through the countryside and over mountain ranges, but at times joins the main roads. At various distances along the route are 'refugios' the pilgrim refuges that will supply a bed for the night but you need to have your own sleeping bag and earplugs to eliminate the snoring. It is a (very) basic shelter for the night.