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Comment by Víctor Nuño on January 14, 2008 at 3:59am

About how far I walked ...

There are some classical places where people start. I did start from one of those. In any case, it is a journey for the soul. And one must see how much time he has got available, and how much he feels he needs.

I started at a place called Roncesvalles, almost in the border between Spain and France. I walked about 800 km (or about 500 miles). And this was along one whole month, being 30 complete days.

I went on foot. It is this the most common way to go through this pilgrimage. Others also go on bicycle, and very few go on horses. To my own taste (this is a very personal opinion), one can feel the most going on foot. Partly because of the time spent. The more time you walk there, the more it gets down to your soul. And the more you are out of all rushes and of all unnecessary things that we carry in our daily lives. And it is this, what really cleans and allows us to find ourselves. And to find God.

There are people who may spend even 3 months walking. For example, people from Belgium have the tradition to start at their own doors from their homes. So they cross half Europe. In fact, this should be the proper thing, instead of going to typical starting places as we do most Spanish people.

Comment by Víctor Nuño on January 14, 2008 at 3:52am

Hi, Thomas
You're so welcome!

Answering to your first question ...

There is really much that can be said about the origins of this pilgrimage. As a start, I will say that it is beleived (not scientifically prooved, neither scientifically rejected) that St James (Santiago in Spanish), being one of Jesus Apostoles, is buried there. This is why the pilgrimage started, and the main reason for it.

It all started in the year 813 (so it will be soon 1200 years since that starting point). The discoverment of its tomb is considered to be a miracle. It was an ermite who saw unusual things in the sky, and he told his bishop. They went together where these lights were, and they discovered the tomb. The bishop ordered to build a church there in honor of St. James. And that was the origin of the city called "Santiago de Compostela". There is a cathedral right now.

Ever since, there has been pilgrims going there. It is said also, that Europe was built thanks to this pilgrimage. Not in economical terms, or even political. But the human ones. There were people from all Europe going there, and walking together even speaking different languages. As it is nowadays.

There are even records of muslims when they were in Spain, admiring how many people went in pilgrimage there. I think (not too sure here) I remember that the best years could have about 100,000 pilgrims, in Middle Ages.

Nowadays, there are as many reasons to walk this pilgrimage, as pilgrims themselves. Some people don't even know why they go! But they go. And it is along the walk, when they find reasons, not only for walking, but for life itself. Often, I heard towards the end, from pilgrims, that their soul was in Peace with themselves. And with God, indeed.

This pilgrimage is as open as to go to walk to the mountains. So, this includes people from all religions, atheists, and completely everyone. Only, you need to want to go there, and start walking, step by step.

Well, ... hehe, ... hope this can be useful as an introduction. I know it is a topic that generates lots of questions :) So, anyone, feel free to ask. I will answer as soon as I can.

Comment by Thomas Davis on January 11, 2008 at 11:09am

Hi, Victor
Thanks so much for posting your pilgrimage pictures. When did the custom of this particular pilgrimage start? And how far did you walk?