The Way of St. James
The Way of St. James extends from all corners of Europe, and even North Africa, on its way to Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre. The local authorities try to restore many of the ancient routes, even those used in a limited period, in the interest of tourism. Here follows an overview of the main routes of the modern-day pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage to the shrine of the apostle James the Great – Santiago in Spanish – developed into one of the most important Christian pilgrimages in medieval times after the claimed discovery in the 9th century of the apostle’s burial site in what later became Santiago de Compostela.
According to the legends later compiled in the 12th-century Codex Calixtinus, St James’ remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where they were buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.
The Way of St. James extends from all corners of Europe, and even North Africa, on its way to Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre. The local authorities try to restore many of the ancient routes, even those used in a limited period, in the interest of tourism. Here follows an overview of the main routes of the modern-day pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage to the shrine of the apostle James the Great – Santiago in Spanish – developed into one of the most important Christian pilgrimages in medieval times after the claimed discovery in the 9th century of the apostle’s burial site in what later became Santiago de Compostela.
According to the legends later compiled in the 12th-century Codex Calixtinus, St James’ remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where they were buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.