The Way of Sant James

 The Way of Sant James
Xunta de Galicia
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    Title: Discover.
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    From the first pilgrims to the present day
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  • Santiago and Galicia
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  • Origins and evolution
    • Origins and evolution
    • The Way at the present time
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    • Help us to promote the Way with Xaco and Cami

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Origins and evolution

From the first pilgrims to the present day
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The tomb of St. James the Greater was discovered around the year 820. This event was immediately followed by the creation of the sacred place to venerate his remains. Today, twelve centuries later, pilgrimage represents a unique experience in our globalized world.

From religious phenomenon to a cultural experience
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The pilgrimage phenomenon soon became a significant spiritual and cultural focal point for Europe, turning Santiago into a major pilgrimage site, along with Rome and Jerusalem. The Way of St. James has acted as a true ‘pathway of knowledge’.

The Codex Calixtinus
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This is the most famous medieval codex on the pilgrimage to Santiago. It is a five-book compilation of all of the liturgical texts, Jacobean traditions, miracles and records of the pilgrimage route, produced in Compostela in the 12th century.

The Compostela Holy Year
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A jubilee year is celebrated in Santiago de Compostela any time 25 July, the feast day of St. James the Greater, falls on a Sunday. This happens every six, five, six and eleven years. It begins with the opening of the Puerta Santa (Holy Door) on 31 December of the previous year.

The Botafumeiro and pilgrim mass
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One of the most famous symbols of the cathedral is the Botafumeiro, which may be largest censer in the world. It is used at masses celebrated on key dates at the cathedral, as well as every Friday (7:30 p.m.). In addition, the pilgrim mass is held at the cathedral’s high altar every day at noon.

Origins and evolution
The hermit Paio discovers the tomb in the decade of the 820s
At an imprecise moment in the 820-830 decade, the tomb of Santiago the Elder was discovered. Alfonso II reigned in the north west of the Peninsula (the Kingdom of Asturias). He was the first great patron. He had been brought up in the Monastery of Samos and received the news from the Bishop of Iria, Teodomiro, enthusiastically.

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From the first pilgrims to the present day
Origins and evolution - The hermit Paio discovers the tomb in the decade of the 820s
Origins and evolution
Santiago was quickly consolidated as an international centre of pilgrimage
The golden age of the pilgrimages occurred in these centuries: France, Italy, central and eastern Europe, England, Germany, including Iceland, and, of course, all of Hispania. They arrived on foot, on horseback, on ships, etc

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From the first pilgrims to the present day
Origins and evolution - Santiago was quickly consolidated as an international centre of pilgrimage
Origins and evolution
The pilgrimages soon became the true backbone of Europe
The Romanic, the Gothic cathedrals, the medieval lyrical poetry of the “cantigas” and the epic poetry of the “chanson de geste”. has played a key role in the development of the cultures which make up the European identity.

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From religious phenomenon to a cultural experience
Origins and evolution - The pilgrimages soon became the true backbone of Europe
Origins and evolution
A Jubilee Year is celebrated whenever July 25 falls on a Sunday
The creation of the Holy Year in Santiago goes back to the XV century. It is believed that the first one in history could have been the Jubilee Year of 1428, or perhaps 1434, both convened by Archbishop Lope de Mendoza. The next will be in 2021.

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The Holy Year of Compostela
Origins and evolution - A Jubilee Year is celebrated whenever July 25 falls on a Sunday

Discover

  • Origins and evolution
  • The Way at the present time
  • Testimonies
  • Associations of the Way
  • Help us to promote the Way with Xaco and Cami

Get Ready

  • Advice and recommendations
  • Physical and mental preparation
  • What you cannot leave at home
  • Technological utilities and services

Plan your Trip

  • The ways
  • My Way
  • How to get there
  • Plan your Way
  • More suggestions for you

On the Way

  • Safe Camino
  • Network of public Hostels
  • The Community of the Way
  • It´s happening... Events schedule
  • Bids and proposals for you
  • Useful-Tips

Santiago and Galicia

  • A walking tour by the Jacobean Santiago
  • City of creativity
  • A pleasure for the palate
  • Green Santiago
  • Santiago area
  • My experience
  • More suggestions for you
  • Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Virtual experience.
  • The portal of Tourism of Galicia
The Way of Sant James
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  • Discover
    • Origins and evolution
    • The Way at the present time
    • Testimonies
    • Associations of the Way
    • Help us to promote the Way with Xaco and Cami
  • Get Ready
    • Advice and recommendations
    • Physical and mental preparation
    • What you cannot leave at home
    • Technological utilities and services
  • Plan your Trip
    • The ways
    • My Way
    • How to get there
    • Plan your Way
    • More suggestions for you
  • On the Way
    • Safe Camino
    • Network of public Hostels
    • The Community of the Way
    • It´s happening... Events schedule
    • Bids and proposals for you
    • Useful-Tips
  • Santiago and Galicia
    • A walking tour by the Jacobean Santiago
    • City of creativity
    • A pleasure for the palate
    • Green Santiago
    • Santiago area
    • My experience
    • More suggestions for you
    • Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Virtual experience.
    • The portal of Tourism of Galicia
  • Knowledge and research
    • International Committee of Experts on the Way of St. James
    • Releases
    • Ad Limina
    • Interesting links about the Way
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