Camino de Santiago: all about stages, routes, accommodation and credentials

How to obtain the Camino de Santiago credential, what are the best-known stages, where you sleep along the Camino: everything you need to know about the most beautiful pilgrimage in the world.

Christian tradition has it that, inside the Sanctuary ofSantiago de Compostela, in the heart of Galicia, themortal remains of St. James the Greater. Driven by this reason, since the Middle Ages, Christian pilgrims have thus begun to trace on foot different and long routes which, through theFrance, The Spain and the Portugal, finally reached the foot of the tomb of the Holy Apostle, in the Spanish north-west.

The Camino de Santiago is none other than the best known, the most frequented and (called by many) the most "true" of these long paths that our ancestors walked centuries and centuries before. It has been declaredUNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as the "French Way" and, every year, it is traveled by thousands and thousands of pilgrims ... backpack on the shoulder, shell in hand and a prayer in the heart.

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STAGES AND PATHS OF THE WAY TO SANTIAGO

To reach the Tomb of St. James, pilgrims left from all over Europe. Whether the stages of the Camino de Santiago were via the sea, via France, via Portugal or via Spain, all roads, however, led to San Giacomo.

The route and the best known and most popular stages are those of theCamino de Santiago French. It begins in France, in San Jean Pied de Port, is structured in 33 stages and has a length of almost 800 kilometres. This is the path declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the duration of which is approximately one month (33 days if one stage is calculated per day). The average distance of each stage is about 25/30 kilometers but no one forces the pilgrims to follow it all. In fact, everyone can establish where to start and how many stages to do, also depending on the availability of time and one's physical limits. Many, for example, decide to travel only the final stretch starting fromSarria(6 stages) or a little earlier, from O Cebreiro or Villafranca del Bienzo.

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In addition to the French Way, there are other known routes, equally popular and of great beauty:

• The Portuguese Way(with the variant of the Portuguese Way along the Coast) which crosses the whole of Portugal. It is 630 kilometers long, begins in Lisbon and passes through places such as Santarém, Coimbra, Porto and Pontevedra.
• The Primitive pathwhich was the first Jacobean pilgrimage in history. It begins in Oviedo, is 320 kilometers long and "intercepts" the French Way in the Melide stage.
• The Northern Waypassing by the north coast of Spain. It begins in Irun, is 800 kilometers long and through beautiful locations such asSan Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander. Physically, the Northern Way is perhaps among the most demanding as the trails are characterized by heavy ascents and heavy descents. However, it is of unrivaled naturalistic beauty. The "intercept" point with the French Way is Arzua.
• The Finisterre-Muxìa Waywhich Pilgrims usually undertake after having passed through Santiago. In fact, it is not a Jacobean journey, as Santiago de Compostela is not the point of arrival, but the starting point. The route is 120 kilometers long, usually divided into 4 stages. The first 60 kilometers are shared then the pilgrim chooses whether to continue towardsMuxia(and rejoin Finisterre by undertaking another 30 km route) or go directly towards theFinisterre, the End of the World, to the so-calledKilometer 0.0.

THE CREDENTIAL OF THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

Anyone who decides to undertake the Camino de Santiago must know that, in order to obtain official recognition of having completed a pilgrimage (and therefore take the certificate to Santiago de Compostela, the so-called "Compostela"), it is necessary to walk at least 100 kilometers or 200 kilometers by bike.

The Credential is the document that certifies all of this. The Pilgrim requests it before setting out on the Way (with the intention of "performing aauthentic Christian pilgrimage”) and then, stage after stage, he has the stamps impressed on it, testifying to his passage through the various localities. The Credential therefore has the purpose of guaranteeing the authenticity of the pilgrimage, identifying the pilgrim, allowing access to the structures that offer hospitality and, once they arrive in Santiago, allowing them to receive the Compostela (certification of the pilgrimage).

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HOW TO OBTAIN THE CREDENTIAL

The Credential is issued free of charge by the Confraternity of San Jacopo di Compostella to pilgrims who intend to make an authentic Christian pilgrimage. Each Region has certain reference offices (you can find the complete list here) who can be contacted to obtain the Credential, but there is also the possibility of requesting the document by email. It is necessary to download the form, fill it in and then send it to the address santiago@unipg.it. Once the Way has begun, the Pilgrim will have the various stamps, called "selli", imprinted on the credential. They can be hotels, inns, bars… each one has its own and, believe me, they are all beautiful. To obtain the Compostela, at least two a day are required but there are those who, precisely because of the beauty of the stamps, decide to fill in the Credential from the first to the last space.

THE COMPOSTELA

The Compostela is the document that certifies the pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James. Once in Santiago de Compostela (after having traveled at least 100 kilometers on foot or 200 by bike or on horseback), the Pilgrim goes to the "Workshop of the Pilgrim” (in Rua das Carretas, not far from the Cathedral), shows his Credential and receives the certificate. The release is free even if, for those who want, it is possible to request an additional certificate with the number of kilometers traveled and the starting point (3 euros) and the certificate holder tube (2 euros).

WHERE YOU SLEEP ALONG THE WAY

Each Pilgrim decides to walk the stages of the Camino de Santiago according to his own intentions and means. In the main stages, depending on your needs, you will findB & B, public hostels and Albergues. The difference is both in terms of convenience and in terms of price. For one night in a B&B the rates are around 30 euros. It goes without saying that you will find the comforts of a room all to yourself, private bathroom, hot shower and, if you are lucky, even an excellent breakfast.

WHERE TO SLEEP IN SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA: Find all the offers

However, the majority of pilgrims, adhering to the true spirit of the Way, prefer to turn tohostels and Albergues. The former are public and, for a bed, a standard rate of 6 euros per night is required. In these structures it is not possible to book, you show up directly with your Credential and you are asked for a "shelter" for the evening. The public hostels guarantee the Pilgrim a bunk bed with disposable linen, the use of the kitchen without crockery and a shower with hot water. In turn, the Pilgrim undertakes to leave the structure no later than 8 in the morning, to respect order and silence and not to stay for more than one night.

The Alberguesinstead they are private hostels where it is possible to book even a few hours before arrival. The price for a bed is around10 euros(in Santiago de Compostela the rates rise to 13-16 euros) and, depending on the Albergues, you can find rooms with 4/6/10/20 beds. All the Albergues have a shared kitchen (in some it is also possible to use the stove), a laundry (for a fee, around 4 euros), shared bathrooms and showers. In some, breakfast is also served at an additional price (usually 5 euros).Here you will find the complete listof all the Albergues of the stages of the French Camino de Santiago.

WHERE TO SLEEP IN SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA: Find all the offers

If it is true that it is not necessary to book (you can also arrive and ask for a place directly) it is also true that, especially in the summer or in the most popular stages (those from Sarria onwards), you could run into the unpleasant circumstance offind everything busy. This is why I advise you to block a place, even a few hours before arrival (if you can even the night before). There were not a few pilgrims who, due to not having found accommodation in one stage, had to continue to the next…. And 20 kilometers of road more, especially in the evening, weigh a lot.

WHAT TO EAT ALONG THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

Considering the many kilometers to be covered per day, the Pellegrino must also be prepared in terms of nutrition. Usually we opt for an energetic breakfast and, during the journey, small meals. All rightdried fruit, honey, pieces of chocolate, fruit(in Galicia you will find lots of apple and apple trees). Remember to always carry water and magnesium and potassium supplements with you (they also help in the event of cramps). Along the Way you will find (at a distance of 4-5 kilometres) very small towns with inns or bars where it is also possible to eat. I advise you never to weigh yourself down too much during the day and, instead, opt for a hearty dinner once you reach your destination. Many inns offer the “Pilgrim menu” for 8-10 euros and, in some areas, it is truly a must to taste the typical dishes, such asMelide polyp, the Queso (cheese) of Arzua and the churros of Santiago de Compostela.