The
origins of the Camino de Santiago can be traced
all the way back to the beginning of the 8th century,
when Christians first started the pilgrimage to
Santiago de Compostela thanks to the discovery
of St. James´ tomb. The path was originally
the quickest route from one’s home to Santiago,
but as it grew, several main routes were established.
Throughout the years, the popularity of the Camino
experienced big ups and downs, from times of almost
complete disuse during social and political turbulence
of constantly changing Europe, to the sparked
interest thanks to the reawakened Catholicism
and the flourishing cultures of the Middle Ages.
The most commonly traveled route, El Camino
Francés, or the French Way, has now converted
into one of the most acclaimed treks for both
modern day pilgrims and adventurers. In 1987,
the Camino de Santiago was named the first European
Cultural Route by the Council of Europe, and
in 1993, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. In 2004, almost 180.000 people completed
all or part of the pilgrimage.
Although the journey was traditionally made
for religious reasons, nowadays it is in no
way limited to that, as people head out by the
hoards in search of an adventure or fulfilling
a physical goal, to explore untouched countrysides
or to learn more about the rich history hidden
in rural Spain, or simply, to take a breath
of fresh air and escape the hassles and stress
of everyday life while enjoying time to learn
more about oneself. The Camino holds an infinite
amount of stories and secrets. Why not add your
own?
We offer two different options to see some
of the most beautiful parts of this unforgettable
journey. You can start in Burgos, the former
capital of Castile founded in the 9th century,
or León, another historical city with
a splendid cathedral and atmospheric old quarter.
Take a look to see which trip fits you best!
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