Santiago’s Way by: Jossue

Because Spain don’t be only sun, beach and beautiful girls I try to guide you for one of the most impressive monuments of the spanish culture: the Santiago’s Way; but not only exist monuments, as well it’s a very important part of spanish history. I live in a city call Astorga, placed in middle of the Way, and every morning I can see from my room’s window some pilgrims with their knapsacks to back. Are thousands the pilgrims of many nationalities that cross it throughout the whole year, especially between may and september. They make the Way well walking, in bike or a length walking and other length in another transport vehicle. When they’re very tired or well for to finish any long stage, they can take a bus between city and city.

The Way begins the Pyrenees and comes from France. It crosses all the north of the Iberian Peninsula, of East on West. It’s a pilgrimages route arisen in the Middle Ages acquaintance too like “Route Jacobea”. The Way’s objective is to reach Santiago de Compostela, in the La Coruña´s province, where supposedly found the relics of the Apostle Santiago. According to the legend, the way was originated at the beginning of the IXth century and it is placed on a former Roman causeway. Coinciding with the most splendour age to “Route Jacobea” many lodgings arise along the Way where to give cover to the pilgrims. Nowadays the price of the lodgings is more or less 3 Euros, food and bed included, depending on the place. Former two principal routes existed from France: both principal routes go out from Somport passing then for Jaca, or from Roncesvalles and Pamplona. It are unified in Puente la Reina and go towards Estella, Logroño, Nájera and Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Immediately it continues for Burgos, Castrojeriz, Frómista, Carrión, Sahagún, León, Astorga, Ponferrada and Villafranca. Ultimately it passes for Cebrero, Portomarín, Triascatela and Palas, to conclude in Santiago de Compostela.

The people who begins the Way they don´t chase only religious or mystical aims, but also cultural aims. It’s a way of initiation framed between the biggest initiations ways of the mankind’s history. It’s hard to cross it; long treks under the burning sun, hunger, cold nights … but anyhow the people continue doing it. Mystery! Mysticism, faith, personal overcoming? Come, come to discover it, kids. It’s the only and incomparable experience.