What is the camino de Santiago?

Answer 1

The Camino de Santiago is a group of pilgrimage routes through Spain to Santiago de Compostela. According to the lore, Saint James (an Apostle of Jesus) traveled as a missionary to Iberia (Spain and Portugal today) to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to convert the native peoples. After an unsuccessful go at it, he returned to Judea (Israel) and was martyred (killed) for the faith by beheading (YIKES). Apparently, some of his helpers then took his body in a rudderless boat back to Iberia for burial. In the 9th Century AD, a shepherd discovered an old crypt while tending his flock. After alerting the local bishop and an investigation, it was decreed that these were the bones of Saint James (Sant Iago, Santiago) and a church was built over the site as a means of attracting pilgrims. Pilgrims started making the journey from all over Christendom to pay homage to an Apostle of Christ and have their prayers interceded for by the Saint (check out other WikiAnswers for more info). Over the course of the past thousand years, millions have made the journey from their homes to Santiago de Compostela, making it the third most popular pilgrim site in Christianity (the other two being the Holy Land and Rome). Today, thousands make the journey, mostly on the Camino Frances (French Way) from Sain Jean Pied de Port in southern France to Santiago, a journey of over 800 kilometers (500 miles) for a variety of reasons. Buen Camino! (Good Journey!)

During the Middle Ages, it was estimated that over a million people were making the journey to and from Santiago de Compostela. Making the journey was a way for people to obtain an indulgence (forgiveness of their sins). You don't have to be a Catholic or a Christian to make the journey today. People of all faith traditions (or atheists) make the journey as a personal development and challenges period. Buen Camino a todos, mi amigos.