The way of St. James (Santiago de Compostela)
 

The Way of Saint James is one of the most famous pilgrim routes in the world and is the generic name given to a number of different routes leading to the city of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia that have been followed by European pilgrims for almost 1000 years. During the Middle Ages, a period in which religious pilgrimages were of great importance, these routes played a significant part in the cultural exchanges between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. Currently, the continued popularity of these routes is testimony to the influence the Christian faith still has on millions of Europeans.

The Way came about with the discovery of the Apostle Saint James the Greater’s sepulchre in the 9th century, becoming one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during the Middle Ages, as its culmination guaranteed the gaining of a plenary indulgence. Throughout history it has become an important pilgrimage destination and a world-renowned religious and cultural centre, keeping its extraordinary appeal alive today.

The way of Saint James has received numerous international awards in recent decades for the incalculable value of its cultural heritage for humanity. In 1987 the route was declared the first European Cultural Route by the European Commission (Council of Europe, https://www.coe.int/en/web/cultural-routes/the-santiago-de-compostela-pilgrim-routes). 

The Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain were recognised as a Word Heritage site by UNESCO due to its Outstanding Universal Value (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/669/).

Path and landscape description

In the following link https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways you will find detailed information related to the ways of the Way of Saint James, including steps, length and level of difficulty of each way and useful information.

The ways:

• The French Way https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways/french-way
• The Fisterra and Muxía Way https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways/the-fisterra-and-muxia-way
• Vía de la Plata (the Silver Way) https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways/via-de-la-plata
• The English Way https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways/english-way
• The Primitive Way https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways/primitive-way
• The Northern Way https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways/northern-way
• The Route of the Sea of Arousa and River Ulla https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways/the-mar-de-arousa-and-rio-ulla-route
• The Winter Way https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways/winter-way
• The Portuguese Way https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways/portuguese-way
• The Portuguese Way of the Coast https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/make-plans/the-ways/portuguese-coastal-way

In general, the different roads to Santiago are sufficiently signposted and any deficiencies can be overcome by using the maps included in all practical guides. You can find out the signposting on The Way of St. James here https://www.pilgrim.es/en/plan-your-way/markers-on-the-way/

Websites

https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/inicio

https://www.santiagoturismo.com/info-xeral

http://www.saintjamesway.eu/en/

https://consejojacobeox21.es/en/

https://oficinadelperegrino.com/en/

E-Mail 

012@xunta.es