The Iberian Peninsula
A Brief History of El Camino
El Camino de Santiago
, or “The Way of Saint James,” is the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in north
western Spain. According to legend, Santiago is the place containing the remains of the apostle, Saint James
the Elder. The Camino has been in use as
a Christian pilgrimage for over 1,000 years, utilizing existing Roman
roads and ancient trade routes. It was one of three important Christian pilgrimages routes during the medieval
period. Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, to Rome, and to Santiago de Compostel
a would earn the pilgrim plenary
indulgence, or freeing of the soul’s sins.
Seventh and eighth century documents suggest that St. James the Elder spent a number of years preaching on
the Iberian Peninsula before returning to Jerusalem where he was beheaded in 44AD by Herod Agrippa I.
His remains were gathered by his followers, p
laced in a stone boat and guided by the angels to a place called
Iria Flavia, south of what is known as Santiago de Compostela
–
St. James in the Field of Stars. His remains
were forgotten until the 9th century when a hermit, Pelagius, investigated a ‘f
ield of stars’, a celestial beam of
light illuminating a small knoll, and discovered the remains of a holy person. Soon after this discovery, the
King of Asturias, Alphonso II, authenticated the remains and found them to be those of Santiago. This apost
le
became the patron saint of Spain.
Today, El Camino is one of the most famous pilgrimages in the world!
Pilgrimage
KidzSearch Safe Wikipedia for Kids.
A pilgrimage is when people travel to a place of worship that is usually far away. They may have to go to a different city or country. Usually a pilgrimage is done for spiritual or religious reasons. Muslims have to do a pilgrimage to Mecca. This is called Hajj. Other modern-day pilgrimages include the Way of St. James, and the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.
There are also non-religious pilgrimages; they include for example:
- seeing the Mausoleum of Vladimir Lenin on the Red Square in Moscow, or
- visiting the birthplace of Elvis Presley.
- Pilgrims credential; all stamps are needed to get a pilgrims certificate.
