Xacobeo 2010: The Camino de Santiago’s Holy Year (Part 1)
The years in which July 25th, the day St. James is celebrated in Spain, falls on a Sunday, the ancient pilgrimage route to his supposed tomb in the damp Galician city of Santiago de Compostela becomes a focal point of global Catholicism. Occurring in intervals of 6-5-6-11 years, the 2010 año jacobeo (ano xacobeo in Galicia’s galego language) has arrived in full swing, something that Galicia’s regional tourism campaign has been reminding Spain of for plenty of months leading up to the new year.
My personal experience with the Camino de Santiago has provided me with 500 miles of grueling, dusty memories. I, not Catholic whatsoever, was more attracted by the cultural and natural wonders offered up along the Way of St. James than the religious or spiritual motives that traditionally fuel the pilgrims’ journey. Beginning at the little mountain town of Roncesvalles, on the French border, and winding its way west through the regions of Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León, and Galicia, the Camino de Santiago is probably one of the most beautiful single walking trails on earth. In honor of this special year, I will post in several installments a collection of my best photos — from over 2,000 original shots — from the Camino de Santiago. Enjoy, and ¡buen camino!
Anticipation: Waiting in Madrid's El Retiro park for the bus up north
Sun in the Leaves: Last afternoon of pilgrim-free life in Madrid
First Night: Converted-monestary piligrim hostal in Roncesvelles, Navarra
Early morning start on the first day
Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago
Monument to the Camino's four-legged pilgrims
The conch shell and the yellow arrow: the Camino's two most prominent symbols
[...] Go well-prepared in the winter and hope for the best. Or walk into Santiago with the throngs on St. James’ Day, Sunday, July 25. [...]
» How to find an untraveled route to Santiago de Compostela :: Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog said this on February 3, 2010 at 5:02 pm |