There’s a high chance that you already know what the Camino de Santiago is, by now it’s one of the most popular pilgrimages around the world, a network of trails that lead to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It has welcomed millions of people from all over the world, but what if I told you that its impact goes beyond recent times? The Camino has been a powerful force that shaped, not only Spain but also the European identity, it’s not just a beautiful hike; it’s Europe’s first official Cultural Route and a living example of how the Camino de Santiago helped build a continental identity.
For ages people from every corner of the continent walked the Camino de Santiago many routes, sharing stories, different food dishes, art, and ideas. These are centuries of cultural fusion, people didn’t just bring a backpack, they brought their culture with them, combining everything and learning from each other along the way.
This is one of the main reasons why the Council of Europe, in 1987, named the Camino de Santiago the very first European Cultural Route. They recognized that Europe was, in a very real way, born on pilgrimage.
It’s More Than a Pilgrimage, It’s A Journey Through Time and Space
While the Camino has strong European and religious roots, it has evolved a lot, turning into a world-wide hit welcoming people from all backgrounds, not only religious people.
At its core, the Camino is a pilgrimage to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of Saint James the Apostle are believed to be buried. This, for medieval Christians was one of the three biggest pilgrimages you could ever do, only being surpassed by those done to Jerusalem and Rome.
But it was never just a single path, it’s a vast network spreading across Europe, since there were pilgrims coming from all over the continent. Despite this, routes like Camino Frances, Camino Portugues from Tui or Libon, Camino Ingles and Camino del Norte have always been a favorite.
In recent times as more and more people decide to do the Camino, many options have “born” to suite different persons, like the shorter versions of some routes as well as other options like Camino de Santiago from Ferrol.
For over a thousand years, people have been leaving their homes and walking these paths, creating a constant exchange of everything from architectural styles to folk songs. This is the essence of the Camino de Santiago cultural exchange.
But when did all of this started? Every great journey has a starting point and like many others, the Camino’s history is full of mystery, legends and myths. History says that it was established in the 9th century, when the relics of Saint James the Great were discovered in what is today Santiago de Compostela. After that, from the 10th century until now, this place became a major pilgrimage route.
Now, fast forward a few centuries. This served as cultural exchange throughout the Middle Ages.
Conclusion
The Camino de Santiago is more than just a trail to hike, it’s an ancient activity that has become an important pillar in the Europe we now know. It shaped a country, a culture and a continent. It reminds us that long before the European Union, there was a different kind of unity being forged, one that was built on trails and in albergues, not in meeting rooms.
It was a unity marked by sharing experiences, customs, culture, and art. A unity characterized by people that recognized their common humanity despite different languages.
The Camino is a powerful, walking reminder that our connections to each other can be stronger than any border that divides us. It is, and always will be, the path that helped build Europe.
