Backpack on your back: all roads lead to Santiago

The Jacobean routes, recognized as a world heritage site since 1993, have become universal paths traveled by thousands of people from 180 countries around the world. Prepared for the holy year, which will put Galicia back on the world map of pilgrimages in 2021, we travel all the roads that lead to Santiago.

Via de la Plata the least known route

Starting from Seville and consisting of 38 stages over more than a thousand kilometers, it is the great unknown Jacobean Route and runs through historic cities such as Seville, Mérida, Cáceres and Salamanca. It has two itineraries from A Gudiña to the city of Orense. The one most used by pilgrims is by Laza, known as Verea Sur. Your alternative travels through the Monterrei valley to Verín. Both continue together from Orense to Santiago through Cea, Dozón, Silleda and Ponte Ulla. In addition to its heritage and artistic wealth, it is characterized by its long stages and its beautiful meadows and clear holm oak forests.

Natural heritage

In Mérida it is worth stopping for its archaeological complex, which, with the Theater and the Roman Amphitheater at the head, is declared a World Heritage Site. In addition, it also boasts its Muslim Alcazaba, the Roman Circus, the Temple of Diana, the House of Mitreo and its National Museum of Roman Art. Cáceres and its old town are home to one of the most important monumental complexes of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in the world. Salamanca and Zamora are also essential. On the way you will cross the unknown Allariz, a fairytale village where you can visit the Vilanova bridge, the tanneries and its organic market on Saturdays. And very close, Santa Mariña de Aguas Santas, from the 12th century, enchants with its unique cemetery, its fountain of miracles and the Castro de Armea. From here, the Vía de la Plata crosses Orense, the city of bridges, where the Aquae Aurente still shine, the gold sands of the Miño that dazzled the Romans. Today there is no gold, but there are some very valuable waters, the hot springs.

The Deza region

Another treasure of the Vía de la Plata, before entering the Deza region, is the monastery of Oseira, a masterpiece of Cistercian architecture, which stands in the town of San Cristóbal de Cea. And already in Pontevedra, the Camino surprises us with the stately pazos of the Council of Lalín and one of the oldest monasteries in the world, San Lorenzo de Carboeiro, from the 10th century, located near Silleda. Last stop, Pico Sacro, where you can scan the horizon and feel Santiago very close.

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela with botafumeiro in the foreground.

The Portuguese way the international dimension

From Lisbon to Santiago in 24 days and more than 600 km, the Jacobean cult has on the Portuguese Way the true international dimension of the phenomenon of Pilgrimages. Its spectacular layout inherits ancestral roads and paths such as the magnificent Via XIX, which was built in the 1st century AD.

Semitic legacy

Tui, the Galician gate of the Portuguese Way, preserves the charm of its medieval times, wrapped in its powerful wall. Its Romanesque cathedral, which began to be built in the 12th century, houses the only Gothic cloister that is preserved in Galician cathedrals. In this city, we must value the heritage left by the Semitic community between the 11th and 15th centuries, where the houses of Moses, Aaron and Solomon, from the 15th century, are a must. The Portuguese Way has one of the most important enclaves in terms of healing properties of thermal water, Caldas de Reis. And before reaching Santiago it is under the main altar of the church of Santiago which, according to legend, was the mooring point for the apostle’s boat.

The most traveled and documented French road

From Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela, it covers 32 stages in almost a thousand kilometers. It is the most traveled road and the best documented and crosses towns that are living history: Estella, Logroño, Nájera, with its collegiate church of Santa María La Real, and Burgos, with its fantastic Gothic cathedral, a World Heritage Site.

Romanesque treasures

Frómista, in Palencia, exhibits the best European Romanesque, and Carrión de los Condes, Sahagún and León, which dazzles with its Gothic cathedral, are great treasures of this Camino. Later, Astorga treasures a fabulous Roman legacy that is amalgamated with the fascinating work of Gaudí; and in Ponferrada, cradle of the Templars, stands the splendid castle of these disappeared and enigmatic warrior monks. Before and the Jubilee for pilgrims who cannot continue the Way. Galicia is accessed through the port of O Cebreiro, from where you get to Triacastela. From here follow the seven most famous stages of the French Way, which run through Sarria, Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Melide, Arzúa, Arca and the strategic Monte do Gozo, just 4 kilometers from the cathedral, before stepping on the Plaza del Obradoiro.

Convent of San Marcos (León), originally a temple-hospital for pilgrims.

The primitive path where the legend is born

With 15 stages and almost 350 km, the Camino Primitivo is the oldest pilgrimage route. It starts from Oviedo and leads to Santiago passing through Lugo, on one of the hardest routes of the Jacobean Routes because it alternates strong climbs with important descents.

The most devout

Adorned with a sensational landscape, this route is also one of the favorites of the most devout pilgrims due to the important collection of relics that the cathedral of San Salvador de Oviedo and Lugo have, which also has the papal privilege of exhibiting day and night the Blessed Sacrament. Oviedo also has jewels such as its cathedral, Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. Other essential pearls are the Pre-Romanesque Museum of San Martín, which stands in Salas, and the Cistercian monastery of Santa María La Real, in Obona. Lugo, the oldest city in Galicia, stands on a hill and has the best preserved Roman fortification in the world, declared a World Heritage Site. Its old quarter and its cathedral make up a magical journey through antiquity that still preserves many pilgrim care hospitals. Not to be missed is the spa and its bridge, both Roman.

The northern path in the company of the sea

With 35 stages and about 850 km, the adventure of the Camino del Norte or Camino de la Costa begins in the border town of Irún, at the international bridge over the estuary of the Bidasoa river. In front, hundreds of trails in the company of the Cantabrian Sea and with sensational views of beaches and cliffs through the coastal landscapes of the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, where it leaves the coast to enter the wooded and open landscapes of Lugo and A Coruña .

History and legend

The itinerary always runs close to towns, medium-sized towns and cities. Bilbao, the beautiful Santillana del Mar, Llanes, with its Indian houses, Villaviciosa, famous for its cider, the historic Villa de Ribadeo, Lourenzá and Mondoñedo, one of the ancient seven capitals of Galicia, and which masterfully combines history and legend . In Arzúa, where more than 780 kilometers have been traveled from Irún, the route joins the French Way to reach Santiago de Compostela.

The English way the seafaring adventure

From Ferrol to Santiago in five stages and more than 150 km. It was created by pilgrims from northern and western Europe to avoid assailants and reduce pilgrimage time. It is one of the quietest and least known routes. Leaving Ferrol, the distance is 150 km, hence it is the only valid starting point to obtain the Compostela. The Way starts from the Ferrol dock of Curuxeiras, where the old medieval port of the XI was located. You have to stop at the San Francisco church, the San Xulián co-cathedral and the Caridade Hospital. Later, in Narón, the monastery of San Martiño de Xubia is an essential visit.

Between paths and mountains

The route reaches the medieval Puentedeume, with its sensational bridge over the Eume of more than 600 meters and 79 arches. Further on, crossing the river Mandeo via A Ponte Vella, you enter Betanzos through the impressive arch, the remainder of its magnificent medieval wall. Betanzos keeps one of the most important historical-artistic ensembles in Europe. Between paths and mountains you reach Bruma, confluence with the branch that comes from A Coruña. From this village Sigüeiro is reached before reaching the desired Santiago.

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