Santiago de Compostela

Upon arriving in Santiago de Compostela, the pilgrims' way traditionally leads to the Cathedral. This is where, for most of them, the Way ends.

Whenever you arrive at the Praza do Obradoiro in front of the Cathedral, you will meet pilgrims here sitting, chatting, contemplating, or just simply enjoying being together and sharing experiences with fellow pilgrims.

History

The name Santiago refers to the Apostle James the Greater (Sant Iago means 'Saint James'). James, son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of Saint John the Evangelist, spent some years converting people on the Iberian Peninsula to Christianity. After returning to Palestine in 44 AD, he was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I. The king forbade to bury him, but James' two disciples, Theodore and Athanasius stole the body and brought it, in a sarcophagus of stone (or marble), across the Mediterranean Sea, to the Iberian coasts, into the port of Iria Flavia (which is present-day Padrón). They buried his body there in secret.

In 813, a hermit named Pelagius observed shooting star-like mysterious lights pointing to a wood. He reported this to the bishop of Iria Flavia, who went to the spot and discovered a tomb in which three bodies rested: Saint James and his two disciples. The field was consequently named campus stellæ, which means 'field of stars'.

Getting a compostela

The compostela, the certificate attesting the completion of the pilgrimage, can be obtained in the pilgrims' office on Rúa do Vilar, only a couple of steps from the Cathedral. Pilgrims will be asked about their nationality, their motivation (religious, religious and cultural or simply cultural) and their means of transport (foot, horse, bicycle).

Pilgrims' Mass

The pilgrims' mass is held in the Cathedral every day at noon. A priest reads out the countries of origin and starting towns of pilgrims who received the compostela the day before.

The highlight of the mass is the swinging of the Botafumeiro, a thurible suspended from the dome, and pulled on ropes by eight men (the tiraboleiros), producing clouds of incense.

Eating out in the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos

All pilgrims possessing a compostela are entitled to a breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos (on the Plaza Obradoiro), provided they are among the first ten to arrive. A royal decree dating back to 1524 ordered the former pilgrim hospital to provide pilgrims arriving in Santiago with three days' lodging and three meals each day. The hospital has been turned into a parador, so beds are not provided for free any more, but the custom of giving free meals still remains.

If you want to try this experience, bring your compostela and queue up in time at the garage gate (in Rúa das Hortas). Pilgrims are let in at 9:00 AM, noon, and 7:00 PM.

Starting the Camino in Santiago de Compostela

Santiago is not only the end of the Camino, it is also the start of the Camino de Fisterra, which goes to the Atlantic Ocean ('the end of the world'), about 90 kilometres from here.

Credencials can be obtained at the pilgrims' office on Rúa do Vilar.

Getting home

Airlines take pilgrims from Santiago de Compostela Airport to most major European cities. There is train connection to most major Spanish towns along the Camino, and bus connection to Portugal and other parts of Spain.

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