The Camino de Santiago has a long history and is therefore full of little details around every corner, well-hidden secrets and, of course, curiosities. In this article, we'll tell you 10 of the most interesting. Stay with us to find out which is the oldest route and other facts!
The curiosities about the Camino de Santiago are endless. But today we've chosen a few that will make you want to grab your sneakers and start exploring this trail as soon as possible. For example:
1) The Primitive Way is the oldest of all.
Even the name hints at its ancient origins. The first of many routes on this trail that began in the 9th century after Christ. It was walked by what is considered to be the original pilgrim, Afonso II the Castro, to find out if the remains found were really those of Jesus' disciple.
Whether legend or truth, this is where the capital of Galicia is located: Santiago de Compostela. To find out more about the history of our favorite route, read on. here:
2) The first published guide to the Camino de Santiago dates back to the 12th century.
The book, "Iter pro peregrinis ad Compostellam", is part of a larger writing on the influence of Santiago, homilies and accounts of the miracles of Jesus' disciple: the Codex Calixtinus.
The fifth chapter is, as the name suggests, a way of supporting the pilgrims to the Galician capital, with descriptions, advice and even descriptions of the customs of the lands through which the pilgrimage passed.
Although the official sources can't pin it down to one author, it is known that it was written by a hiker from the 12th century. This is because all the suggestions show an in-depth knowledge of the route.
Although the original is preserved, one of the curiosities about the Camino de Santiago is related to the journey of this document over the last few decades. On July 5, 2011, it was announced that it had been stolen from the Cathedral in Plaza del Obradoiro. However, in just one year, was found in a nearby garage. It had been stolen by a former cathedral employee and his family.
3) In hostels, those who walk have priority over other means of transportation.
This is a curiosity about the Camino de Santiago and a warning at the same time. For the sake of time, since they always walk slower than a bicycle or other means of transport, people on foot have priority in public hostels.
So if you're thinking of coming by bike, you need to pay attention to this detail. You can always arrive first, but it's not guaranteed that you'll be able to stay in a hostel of your choice. The same goes for other forms of transportation, such as horseback riding. Which brings us to our next curiosity.
4) Yes, it is possible to do the Camino de Santiago on horseback.
You may have noticed that your pilgrim credential has a few options when you're asked how you did the Camino. One of them is on horseback!
Although this is one of the least common ways of making the pilgrimage to Praça do Obradoiro, with only 300 people doing it, it can be done this way every year.
If you're thinking of riding this four-legged transport, you need to realize that both you and your equine partner need to be fit. The journey is difficult for both of you, but if you don't know how to ride or if you do it badly, it's best to ask a specialized agency for help.
Just like you, the animal must carry the necessary documentation. In addition, you must notify the authorities one day in advance of bringing the animal into the city.
5) How far do I have to walk to receive the compostela?
The Compostela is the document that officially certifies that you have walked the Camino de Santiago. However, to get it, you must have covered at least 100 kilometers on foot or horseback, 150 by bicycle or 100 nautical miles by boat.
This is also why so many people decide to start the Portuguese route between Valença and Tui. You only need to stamp the pilgrim's credential twice a day to prove your passage.
6) The village of Ayegui has a wine fountain.
In this small village on the French Way, the monks had a tradition of welcoming pilgrims with wine. The pilgrims, who arrived tired and weak, accepted this comfort with the best of wills.
To honor this shared history, the Irache company created a fountain in the 1990s that gives wine instead of water. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and has the capacity to share 100 liters of this nectar every day.
If you can't pass through this village, you have access to this surveillance camera that is always on, to protect pilgrims and to allow others to see this interesting curiosity about the Camino de Santiago.
7) The Church of Rates plays a central role in the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.
Legend has it that Pedro de Rates, the first bishop of Braga, was killed for trying to convert the population to Christianity. It is also the site of the first hostel in the Portuguese region, before all the others were opened.
Converted to Catholicism by Santiago on his pilgrimage through what is now the Iberian Peninsula, Pedro is one of only seven to be ordained by the person who gives the Way its name. Spreading the word of Jesus, he was commissioned by the father of a young girl who was ill with a fatal disease. St. Peter managed to miraculously save her, but she converted to Christianity. The father, who didn't expect such an outcome, vows revenge and pursues the Bishop. Despite hiding in Rates, Peter is found and murdered. He was buried in a small chapel in the village and was later found and transferred to Braga.
That's why Rates is so important to the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. It was also here that the first Albergue in Portugal of the modern era was built. If you want to stay here, save this link, for the next pilgrimage!
8) There are 3 Certified Ways of Saint James in Portugal.
Although there are several routes to Santiago de Compostela in Portugal, only three are certified by the Portuguese state: the Camino da Costa, the Camino Central and the Camino Interior. However, there are many others, such as the Camino de Torres and the Camino do Mar.
Certification is a bureaucratic process. Therefore, it is necessary to collect evidence of its historical importance, always proven by appropriate sources that pilgrims pass through on a regular basis.
Despite efforts on the part of public decision-makers, there are still some routes missing that deserve certification so that more pilgrims can enjoy them safely.
However, the news is encouraging, as there is more and more openness to new forms of tourism. Recently, some entrepreneurs took tourists on a boat trip from Vila Real de Santo António to Galicia. Always with the support of the Presidency of the Republic. Read more about this adventure, here!
9) Not all roads are World Heritage Sites.
Although there are an almost infinite number of Caminos de Santiago around the world, only two are World Heritage Sites. The French and the Northern. Other classics, such as Portuguese and English, have not yet been accepted by this international organization.
The first to be named was the French route, as it was the best known and most important throughout history. According to the UN institution, it was an important route in the cultural exchanges between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. From this partnership, cities were born, businesses developed and thousands of stories were created.
Over the years, thanks to the popularity of this route, it is hoped that others will also be designated as World Heritage Sites.
10) Don't be confused by the two kilometers "0".
Although the Galician capital is the name of the route, it's not the end of the road. Or at least, it doesn't have to be. This is because Finisterre also has a milestone at kilometer 0.
This comes from a tradition that predates the very concept of Christianity and, therefore, the Camino de Santiago. In the past, people used to go on pilgrimage to this place known as the "end of the world", because they believed that, here, day and night came together as one at sunset.
It was at this precise moment that believers prayed and made offerings to the gods they believed in.
Do you want to know more about the Camino de Santiago?
Throughout our website you'll find articles on the subject, interviews with pilgrims like you and the stages described so you can plan your route step by step. You can also join our Facebook community, where you can ask questions together with other pilgrims, share moments and miss your favorite route.
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