Press release date: 20th July 2015
There’s nothing quite like embarking on your first ever Camino adventure – following in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims and taking in the gorgeous landscapes on your own personal adventure.
With St James Day, the feast day of Santiago, just around the corner (25th July), there’s never been a better time to walk this awe-inspiring route. To help you prepare for your escapade, CaminoWays.com, the Camino de Santiago specialists, have compiled a list of the top 10 interesting facts about this world-famous trek.
- Camino de Santiago translates as ‘The Way of St James’ and refers to the different routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, which in turn means ‘St James of the Field of Stars’.
- Traditionally pilgrims started the Camino from their own homes, with Irish pilgrims beginning in Dublin or port towns such as Dingle and Waterford.
- Yellow scallop shells and yellow arrows mark the popular Camino routes.
- The most famous Camino route is the French Way, which starts in St Jean Pied de Port and takes in the vineyards of La Rioja, the rugged mountains of Léon and the peaceful countryside of rural Galicia.
- Over 200,000 pilgrims reach Santiago each year and receive their Compostela certificate.
- To receive your Compostela certificate you must walk at least 100km, cycle at least 200km and make sure your pilgrim passport is stamped at least once a day.
- Sarria, 111km away from Santiago, is the popular starting point for walkers on the Camino.
- 25th July, St James Day, is a holiday in Santiago and Galicia. If this falls on a Sunday, it is considered to be a holy year or Ano Xacobeo. To celebrate St James Day this year, CaminoWays.com have organised a special Walking Festival in the Wicklow Mountains from 9.30am.
- Santiago de Compostela’s old town has been deemed a UNESCO-listed heritage site and was awarded European Cultural Route status in 1987 by the Council of Europe.
- The 12th century Codex Calixtinus is the oldest Camino de Santiago ‘guidebook’.
To download the full CaminoWays.com Camino de Santiago Beginner’s Guide, please go to http://caminoways.com/download-camino-ebooks
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