Cultural Routes and Heritage Trails - Tourism and Trails: Cultural, Ecological and Management Issues - page 34

Case Study: The Way of St James (Camino De Santiago De
Compostela)
The remains of St James were purportedly found in 819 AD in northwest-
ern Spain in what is today Santiago de Compostela, and a church was
built over the tomb. During medieval times, the roads that led to the
shrine were enhanced, and the shrine became accessible to larger masses
of pilgrims who came to venerate the location. During the Middle Ages,
Santiago was the third most visited pilgrimage destination in the world
for Roman Catholics, following Rome and Jerusalem. By the 12th cen-
tury, pilgrims had begun traveling on set routes through France and Spain
from all over Europe. The main line and most popular path of the Way of
St James (Camino de Santiago) starts in France (Figure 2.4), although
there are many secondary routes in Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, the
Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, England, and a handful of other coun-
tries in Europe (Murray & Graham, 1997; Przybylska & Sołjan, 2010).
The French Way is several hundred kilometers in length and requires
at least a month to complete (Figure 2.5). It crosses the Pyrenees
Mountains into Spain and through the cities of Pamplona, Longroña,
Burgos and León. Most people follow the trail on foot, although it is
possible to bicycle or ride a horse. Humble lodging is available along the
way in pilgrim rest houses, or hostels. Less adventuresome travelers can
choose hotel options in villages or towns along the way. Approximately
2.5 million people visit the holy site of Santiago de Compostela each
year, but only about 190,000 approach the destination along the more
Figure 2.4 Sign marking the Way of St James in France