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Camino de Santiago
Supplemental
Cathedral Santiago de Compostela
Source: Google Earth tour movie "Camino de Santiago; animated map of the Camino Frances, The French Way"
"a pilgrimage across northern Spain to the sanctuary at Santiago de Compostela, [is] the finest journey in Spain and one of the two or three best in the world" -- James Michener, Iberia **
"Modern-day pilgrimage...Today, hundreds of thousands (over 200,000 in 2014) of Christian pilgrims and many others set out each year from their front doorsteps or from popular starting points across Europe, to make their way to Santiago de Compostela. Most travel by foot, some by bicycle, and a few travel as some of their medieval counterparts did, on horseback or by donkey (for example, the British author and humorist Tim Moore). In addition to those undertaking a religious pilgrimage, many are hikers who walk the route for other reasons: travel, sport, or simply the challenge of weeks of walking in a foreign land…a certificate of accomplishment [named the Compostela, is] given to pilgrims on completing the Way. To earn the compostela one needs to walk a minimum of 100 km or cycle at least 200 km...As tourism…The Xunta de Galicia (Galicia's regional government) promotes the Way as a tourist activity, particularly in Holy Compostelan Years (when 25 July falls on a Sunday)" -- Camino de Santiago wiki.
Documentary
"Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago"
● Website
● DVD
Travel
● Celebratory Meal (if Arrive/Depart Madrid): “Sobrino de Botín: The World’s Oldest Restaurant...in Madrid, certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the oldest restaurant in the world...operating continuously since 1725” -- Everything Everywhere
● St. James Festival in Santiago de Compostela: “The last two weeks in July, the city of Santiago de Compostela celebrates its biggest festival of the year: St James Festival or the Apostle Festival (Festas do Apóstolo). St James is the patron saint of Santiago de Compostela but also Galicia; which means St James Day is also Galicia Day and a holiday in the region...As the capital of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela attracts not only pilgrims but also many Galicians on those dates...Festival celebrations…[include]...traditional elements...traditional music [see Galician instrument photos below]...and dances…[&]...will reveal a...close insight into Galician culture” -- CaminoWays
●● Fireworks show: “On 24th July at midnight...gather at the Praza do Obradoiro to enjoy the traditional fireworks and display projected on the facade of Santiago Cathedral” -- CaminoWays
●● Botafumeiro deployed: “On July 25th, St James Day, Santiago Cathedral hosts its High Mass, usually attended by the king or a member of the Spanish Royal family and one of the special dates when you can see the ‘botafumeiro’ in use” -- CaminoWays
Route
● Google Earth tour movie (full pilgrimage trail route overview fly-over): "Camino de Santiago; animated map of the Camino Frances, The French Way"
● Google Maps Street View Hyperlapse segment: "Camino de Santiago - Crossing the Pyrenees"
● Aerial Overview: "Camino de Santiago by Helicopter"
Alternatives
Codex Calixtinus
Source: BelleNews
● Biking:“Camino de Santiago 14 Day Bike Tour…[site navigation menus] Introduction | Highlights | Day by Day | Details | Included | Full Itinerary…’a pilgrimage across northern Spain to the sanctuary at Santiago de Compostela, is the finest journey in Spain and one of the two or three best in the world.’ So wrote James Michener in his monumental book on Spain, Iberia. For a thousand years, since the bones of St. James were reputedly discovered in Santiago, common people, bishops, priests, kings, popes and saints have made this famous pilgrimage...This epic bike tour echoes their footsteps, following the first guide book ever written, by a monk in the 12th century - the Codex Calixtinus. We begin high in the Pyrenees above Pamplona and cross beautiful plains of northern Spain taking in the cathedral cities of León and Burgos, and countless pilgrim stops steeped in wonders and miracles along the way. Our lodgings include luxurious monasteries, ancient pilgrim inns and small hotels. We dine in restaurants famous for their regional cuisine and atmosphere”-- Cycling Centuries
● Horseback & Donkey: "For...[travelling] the Camino...Another completely different approach is...on Horseback...Another option is the donkey walk, which is available on the Le Puy Route" -- "A Different Road - Experiencing the Camino in Another Way", Follow the Camino
Accommodations & Points of Interest
● Parador - “a kind of luxury hotel...often located in adapted castles, palaces, fortresses, convents, monasteries and other historic buildings...They are located from Galicia in the north-west through Catalonia to Andalusia in the south of Spain…[the wiki provides a] List of Paradors [by] Province” -- Parador wiki. “There are many different types and styles of accommodation along the Camino de Santiago, ranging from hostels to guest houses and luxurious paradores...Check out the many paradores located on the Camino de Santiago in our article: What is a Parador?” -- "What are the Camino de Santiago accommodation options?” -- CaminoWays; “Paradores de Turismo de España, the public company managing these luxury hotels, was founded by King Alfonso XIII to promote tourism in Spain...Today there are 94 paradores from 3 to 5 stars all across Spain, many along the Camino de Santiago” -- "What is a Parador?” -- CaminoWays
Source: Episcopal Palace, Astorga wiki
● Pilgrimage Architectural Highlight: “The Episcopal Palace of Astorga, Spain is a building by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It was built between 1889 and 1913. Designed in the Catalan Modernisme style, it is one of only three buildings by Gaudi outside Catalonia” -- Episcopal Palace, Astorga wiki
Source: Organistrum wiki
● Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Highlight: "Carving of two musicians playing [a Zinfoña, aka] an organistrum…[in the] ´Pórtico da Gloria (Portal of Glory) [in the Central Tympanum, in it's Central Archivolt, "Around the inner side of the arch [containing] the elders of the Apocalypse...Each...holding a musical instrument [which] include [in the top center of the arch, directly above Christ's head] an organistrum"] on the cathedral...The organistrum is an early form of hurdy-gurdy. Generally considered the ancestor of all subsequent hurdy-gurdies, the organistrum differs substantially from later instruments in that it was played by two individuals: one turned the crank while the other pulled the keys upward to change the musical pitch of the melody strings...Inside the body was the wheel, having a tire of leather well rosined, and working easily through an aperture in the soundboard. The three strings resting on the wheel and supported besides on a bridge of the same height all sounded at once as the wheel revolved, and in the earliest examples the wooden tangents taking the place of fingers on the frets of the neck acted upon all three strings at once, thus producing the harmony known as organum” -- Organistrum wiki
Related Galician Instruments
Source: Museos de Galicia CENTRAD Musical Instruments Collection
● Museos de Galicia CENTRAD Musical Instruments Collection
● Music of Galicia, Cantabria and Asturias
Guidebooks & Apps (iPhone)
Books
Codex Calixtinus: Wiki
● Video Tour: Facsimile
● Texts: Facsimile ES / EN; Reproduction ES / EN; Manuscript ES / EN; PDF EN
● Online - "This site contains a complete English translation of the Pilgrim's Guide section [Book 5] of the Codex Calixtinus, the 12th Century account of pilgrim routes through France and Spain to Santiago de Compostela": Pilgrim's Guide
● A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago
● A Village to Village Guide to Hiking the Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés
● “Camino de Santiago - Practical Preparation and Background”
● “Camino de Santiago Maps... [pay ½ an order of magnitude less via Bookfinder]...A complete set of maps and town plans in English, Spanish, and French...Covering the sacred route from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, including the Finisterre extension for modern-day pilgrims who wish to reach the ocean...The maps show the location of all pilgrim hostels en route, the distances between villages, and points of interest, as well as counter guides, alternative routes, and accommodations [published by Camino Guides]” -- Amazon description/review
Apps (iPhone)
● TrekRight - Camino de Santiago
● Camino Francés - A Wise Pilgrim Guide
Wiki links *
● Free Guide for Hikers on the Way of St. James
Web/Smartphone (Android) Apps *
● Trekopedia - Camino de Santiago: Reference database and mobile apps with GPS, accommodations, available services, attractions, communities, points of interest, etc.
● Free Android app and maps for navigation to Camino de Santiago
Outfitters
● French Way - Camino Francés > Finisterre Way - Camino de Fisterra
● What are the camino de santiago accommodation options?: “[1] Albergues – hostels...[2] Guest houses – pensiones...[3] Hotels...[4] Paradores...historic buildings such as castles and monasteries; as well as buildings set in nature reserves and areas of outstanding beauty...[5] Casas Rurales...country cottages...boutique country properties refurbished keeping in mind the traditional architecture of the region...generally farm houses, manor houses and restored homesteads located in rural settings; they generally offer home-cooking using local or even home-grown produce. We work with many casas rurales along the different Camino de Santiago routes and we arrange for our clients to be picked up from the trail” -- CaminoWays
Source: CaminoWays
●● Superior Collection: “for those who want to discover and experience the most special hotels and properties along the Camino de Santiago….after each walking day..[stay at]...Beautifully restored period houses, peaceful country homes and ‘Casas Rurales’, boutique hotels and historic ‘Paradores’...we have personally selected for you along the Camino” -- CaminoWays
● French Way Road Trip – Pamplona to Santiago De Compostela: “experience the best of the Camino de Santiago in one week, visiting the main cities and most important sites along the French Way, the famous Camino Francés, while staying in the most comfortable and charismatic hotels en-route [see also “Overview“ orange bar right side dropdown menu for “Itinerary/Accommodation”]”-- CaminoWays
Footnotes: * Camino de Santiago wiki; ** thanks to Cycling Centuries for sharing this quote
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