Saint James and the Way

The Road to Santiago has been, and continues to be, without doubt, the oldest, most celebrated route of the old continent. Jerusalem and Rome were, for centuries, the two poles of attraction for the European pilgrims and travelers, but neither of them had an established route to get there. Santiago has also shared with them the appeal of walkers and wanderers of all the times but also created a route, a Road. Santiago and Galicia can be reached in many ways. But the best way of getting there is along the Road to Santiago.
The Way of Saint James is considered a “cultural asset” and has been recognized as a “European Cultural Route” by the European Institute of Cultural Routes, attached to the Council of Europe. In a similar vein, The Way of Saint James was declared a European Cultural Route in 1987, and in 1993 it was listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. In addition to people on a religious pilgrimage there are many travelers and hikers who walk the route for non-religious reasons such as for enjoyment, travel, sport or simply the challenge of weeks of walking in a foreign land and having the privilege of meeting people from all over the world.
An increasingly number of pilgrims from all over the world are aim to follow the adventure of hiking the road to Compostela, due to a renascent interest in the Saint James’s Way, which has been object in the recent literature, cinema and tourism. There are many reasons to make the walk to Santiago, a self growth experience, sport, a fantastic cultural experience over the centuries, feel the emotion to arrive at the “end of the known world” and leave there many of the heavy baggage we have carried along our lives.
People can be certificated for having accomplished such a long route. In order to be certificated, you must walk at least 100 km or bike at least 200 km of the route.