History and origin of the Camino de Santiago

The origin of the Camino de Santiago dates back to the Middle Ages and has a great history to count on one of the twelve apostles as protagonist.

The origin of the Camino de Santiago dates back to the 9th century, when the tomb of one of the disciples closest to Jesus, the apostle Santiago, was discovered.

It is a millenary pilgrimage route that culminates in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the tomb is located.

Declared a World Heritage Site, it has now been enshrined as one of Europe’s most emblematic routes and a symbol of unity.

It attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the world who are encouraged to travel both physically and spiritually, sharing the experience with other people from different cultures and tradiciones.Foto by

Burkard Meyendriesch

The origin of the Camino de Santiago and the figure of the apostle

The history of the road arises from the devotion to the apostle Santiago, whose remains rest in Galicia.

The Bible tells us that Santiago was born in Galilee in a family of fishermen. He was the son of Zebedee and Salomé, and was known as Santiago de Zebedeo or Santiago el Mayor.

He was a temperamental man, of a strong and determined character, who was chosen by Jesus of Nazareth to be one of his twelve apostles. A direct witness to the life and teachings of Jesus, he became one of his closest and most trusted companions.

After the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, he stood out for being a very influential preacher in the spread of Christianity throughout the world, also reaching Hispania, where he was instrumental in evangelizing the peoples of the Iberian Peninsula.

James returned to Palestine in 44 AD and died in Jerusalem, condemned and beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I. He was the first apostle who gave his life to defend the Christian faith, and his sacrifice consolidated his figure as one of the first martyrs of Christianity. An icon of struggle and resistance.

The “Transfer” from Palestine to Galicia

According to tradition, after the death of the apostle James, two of his disciples, Theodoro and Atanasio, gathered his body to give him burial. They embarked on a voyage without crew, or rudder, until they arrived in Gallaecia, contemporary Galicia. They docked in the port of Iria Flavia and tied their boat in a stone post, called a pedron, the etymological origin of the current name of the villa of Padrón.

This transfer of the body of Santiago from Palestine to Galicia is what is known as “Traslatio”.

In Iria Flavia was ruled by Pagan Queen Lupa, who tested the two disciples before allowing them to bury the remains of Santiago.

Legend has it that he provided them with a chariot and two wild oxen to transport the body. The animals became docile, allowed them to put a yoke and started walking without a fixed course. The place where they stopped was chosen to bury the sacred relics. Queen Loupa gave her permission, surrendered to what she thought was supernatural, and she became Christianity.

Teodoro and Atanasio spent the rest of their lives guarding the tomb and, after their death, buried them with Santiago.

The discovery of the tomb

They had to spend approximately eight centuries so that, between 820 and 830 AD, according to the researchers, the tomb of Santiago was found.

The discovery was made by a humble hermit named Paio (Pelayo), guided by the radiance of some lights in the sky over the lush Libredon forest near Compostela, which led him to the tomb where the apostle rested. He informed Theodomiro, the bishop of Iria Flavia, who in turn brought him to the attention of King Alfonso II, the Casto.

Since then the place has become sacred and was the origin of a pilgrimage center for Christians to venerate the remains of Santiago.

King Alfonso II, “the first pilgrim”

King Alfonso II of Asturias became the first documented pilgrim in the history of the Camino de Santiago.

Given the importance of the discovery of the tomb, he departed from Oviedo to visit him and raised a modest church, antecedent or germ of the current Cathedral and Santiago de Compostela.

This trip credits him as the creator of the Primitive Way, considered the original route to Santiago, and was the beginning of the mass pilgrimages that followed most tarde.Foto of

L.Miguel Bugallo S.

Pilgrimage routes

The diffusion of the finding attracted Christian monarchs and new pilgrimage routes were opened throughout the peninsula during the Middle Ages, such as the Camino del Norte. This encouraged the maintenance of the trails and the construction of churches and hostels to make the journey to pilgrims more bearable, easy and safe.

These routes constituted a symbol of the alliance of Christian kingdoms and the struggle against Muslims, particularly during the Reconquista on the Iberian Peninsula.

Over time, the routes of the Camino de Santiago also spread outside Spain connecting Santiago de Compostela with Europe. The French Way was another of the first to be created and the most recognized worldwide.

Today, after a history of splendor and decadence, there are 12 officially accredited roads, each with its distinctive attractions and characteristics. All of them vary in length, level of difficulty and landscapes, which makes it possible for each pilgrim to choose the one that best suits their needs and objectives.

The Camino de Santiago is much more than a journey of Christian pilgrimage, of search for internal peace, growth and personal reflection. It is a place of encounter, of exchange of cultures and of connection between people and with nature. In this sense, the local community plays an essential role in the reception of walkers, offering shelters, interesting information and cultural activities that enrich the experience.

Whatever moves you to do it, there is no doubt that it will be a unique adventure of the most enriching, with a memorable ending in the Plaza del Obradoiro, at the gates of the Cathedral of Santiago. An event that we should all enjoy, at least once in life.