The Way of Santiago
History of
Camino De Santiago
At the end of the 13th Century in the nortwest of Spain, became popular the leyend of Saint James that has been buried here. In 813 a man called Pelayo said that he had seem a star in the Libredon Wood that marked the grave. They discovered a roman cementery. The king Alfonso the 2nd travelled to that place and he became the first pilgrim to Compostela, that means “Camp of Stars”.
After the attacks of Almanzor the monks related with Cluny wrote a book called “Codex Calixtinus” and the History of Compostela and the kings promote the net of monasteries that connect Spain with the rest of Europe and protect pilgrims during their pilgrimade. The route increased the communication between the monasteries, and the culture and the Romanesque art spread.
The King of León, Fernando the 2nd, in the 12th Century changed the way of Santiago in the city, becouse he wanted pilgrims to go to Saint Isidoro. In fact the document that ordered the change of the way is housed in the library of Saint Isidoro (Document ASIL 169).
From this momento, till now, the canons of the Collegiate have helped pilgrims. They can buy its credential in the museum and get the stamp. In the Basilica they can be blessed in the mass for pilgrims all days.
The way of Santiago was declared World Heritage Site. The Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France were declared in 1993 and the rest ( The coast, the primate one…etc) were declared in 2015
Plan your visit
Reservation, rules, suggestions for the enjoy of the experience of visiting the museum.