What is the story behind the Camino?

Pilgrims originally started coming to this location from all across Europe to witness the reported tomb of the apostle Saint James, son of Zebedee, known as “Santiago” by Spanish Catholics. The alleged remains of Saint James were interred in this location sometime after his recorded death in 44 A.D.



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Is the Camino just for Catholics? Absolutely not. While the tradition is originally Catholic, nowadays most people walk the Camino for other reasons than a spiritual pilgrimage.

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For the majority of people who walk the trails, the end is in sight when you reach the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in the Plaza de Obradoiro. This is where you will find other pilgrims gathering, celebrating and recounting their Camino stories.

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To walk the classic Camino Francés route from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela, most people require between 4-6 weeks, however, the time needed depends on your daily mileage and whether you take any rest days.

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In short, how exactly did I change? The answer is simple: I became infinitely better at being present; at sitting with anxiety, boredom, discomfort of any kind, and getting out of the way so it can run its course and something more productive or poetic can come in its wake.

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The Camino is a network of pilgrimages leading to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. There, according to tradition, lie the remains of St. James the Great—one of the first apostles called by Jesus, and the first to be martyred.

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The Camino de Santiago — literally the Way of St. James — is Europe's ultimate pilgrimage route. Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims have walked hundreds of miles across North Spain to pay homage to the remains of St. James in the city named for him, Santiago de Compostela.

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Leaving Your Burden Behind: A Camino Tradition You see, pilgrims often carry a rock from home in their backpack as they walk. The small rock symbolizes a burden. And, somewhere along The Way, pilgrims leave their burdens behind.

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