Year after year, thousands of pilgrims from around the world travel to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. They want to visit the tomb of St James the Greater, one of Jesus? apostles. You can find his tomb in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The pilgrims are easily recognized by the scallops they use to weararound their neck, which is the sign of St James.
Santiago de Compostela is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage destinations in the world. The pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago can be done by foot, by bicycle, by horse and even in a wheelchair.
Bernard Van den Abeele, founder of Catena Cycling, travelled as a pilgrim by bike in 22 days from Ghent (Belgium) to Santiago de Compostela (2.162km – 1.343 mi). He posted his entire route online for future pilgrims.
What do you need to do to be included in the statistics?
Bernard: ?In 2010, 272.135 ?pilgrims? obtained their certificate in Santiago de Compostela. To obtain this, one should be able to demonstrate that he has travelled at least 100km (62.24 mi) on foot, on a horseback or in awheelchair. By bike, you need to have travelled at least 200km (124.48 mi). In 2010, about 12% of all pilgrims were cyclists.?
How do you deliver the proof of your pilgrimage?
Bernard: ?You deliver this proof, by presenting your stamp booklet, in which hostels (refugios), churches, etc. regularly put stamps during your journey.If you want to use the accommodation of these pilgrim hostels (at very reasonable prices), you need to be able to present a Credential (although I was never asked to ?).?
The stamp booklet and the Credential can be obtained from local societies like :
- Vlaams genootschap van Santiago de Compostela
- Association des Amis de St Jacques de Compostelle
- Het Nederlands Genootschap van Sint-Jakob
- Confraternity of Saint-James
- Association des Amis de Saint-Jacques et d’Etudes compostellanes de la Voie de Vézelay
- Federación Española de asociaciones de amigos de los Caminos a Santiago
- Association des Amis des Chemins de Compostelle du Nord ?
The full report can be read in Dutch on Bernard?s blog.
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