Saturday 6 November 2010

Camino de Santiago


The Way of St James
by Robert Bovington

The Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia is the ultimate goal of pilgrims who travel the Camino de Santiago. For Christians it is the third most important pilgrimage after the ones to Jerusalem and Rome.





It is said that Saint James, the apostle, was laid to rest in the cathedral and, for over 1000 years, pilgrims have travelled the Camino de Santiago. They would walk for months to arrive finally at the great church in the main square to pay homage. Millions have done so - it is estimated that over 100,000 pilgrims travel to the city each year from points all over Europe.

Many pilgrims continue on from Santiago de Compostela to the Atlantic coast of Galicia to finish their pilgrimage at Spain's westernmost point - Cape Finisterre.


more blogs by Robert Bovington... 


"Photographs of Spain"
"postcards from Spain"
"you couldn't make it up!"
"a grumpy old man in Spain"
"bits and bobs"
"Spanish Expressions"
"Spanish Art"
"Books About Spain"


The Pope's visit to Santiago de Compostela

Today, 6 Nov 2010, Pope Benedict XVI visited Santiago de Compostela. According to various news reports, he is now a Santiago pilgrim. Why's that? He only travelled 11km (from Lavacolla airport to the Cathedral) and that was by popemobile. Normally pilgrims WALK for many many miles to achieve that distinction!