Camino
The Way of St. James of Compostela: a Millennial History
The Way of St. James of Compostela is a millennial route that for centuries has attracted pilgrims from all over the world to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Spain, where the relics of St. James the Greater are found. In this article, I will take you through the history of this path and tell you about the essential stages from the 9th century to today.
The Beginnings (9th and 10th centuries)
The history of the Way of St. James of Compostela dates back to the 9th century. It is said that the disciples of St. James, with a boat guided by an angel, transported the body of the saint to Galicia, where he was buried in a forest near Padrón. Thanks to the revelation of a hermit named Pelagio, who lived near a church, the tomb of the Saint was discovered under the reign of Alfonso II of Asturias. This fact contributed to the spread of the apostle's cult in the Iberian Peninsula and was collected in the martyrology and spread in Western Christian Europe. In 825, King Alfonso II of Asturias made the first pilgrimage to the tomb of the Saint and ordered the construction of a first church. Subsequently, a community of monks of the Order of Saint Benedict settled in what was known as "Locus Sancti Iacobi". In 899, a new Basilica was built consisting of three naves.
The Middle Ages (11th - 15th centuries)
From the 11th to the 15th century, the Way of St. James of Compostela became one of the most important pilgrimage routes in Christian Europe. It is estimated that every year thousands of pilgrims from all over Europe set off for Santiago. These travelers crossed Alpes, Pyrenees, rivers and forests in often precarious conditions. Over the centuries, the itinerary was enriched with works of art, such as churches, Romanesque bridges, chapels and monasteries, witnesses of Romanesque and Gothic art in Europe. During the Middle Ages, numerous brotherhoods of pilgrims also arose, offering help and assistance along the way.
The Decline (16th - 19th centuries)
From the 16th century, the Way of St. James of Compostela began to lose importance. The reasons were manifold: wars between France and Spain, the rise of Protestantism in Europe, the Catholic Reformation and emigration to the New World led to a decrease in the number of pilgrims on the route. In the 19th century, the route was rediscovered thanks to the work of historians, writers and artists, who promoted its historical, cultural and spiritual value.
The Renewal (20th century)
In the 20th century, the Way of St. James of Compostela experienced a new rebirth. In 1987, the Council of Europe declared it the first European Cultural Route and the following year an appropriate European Day of the Way of St. James was held. In 1993, the French and Spanish Roads to Santiago de Compostela that make up the itinerary were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In recent decades, the route has been traveled by millions of people from all over the world, who want to experience a unique, spiritual and cultural journey along this ancient pilgrimage route.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the Way of St. James of Compostela is a millennial path that has crossed the history and culture of Western Europe. From the 9th century to today, this ancient pilgrimage route has attracted thousands of travelers along its roads, giving them emotions, reflections, and encounters. Today, the Way of St. James of Compostela is a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO and continues to be an extraordinary cultural and spiritual itinerary that deserves to be traveled by all those who wish to share the millennial experience of past pilgrims.
