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Maria G. CaminoWays

Written by Maria G. CaminoWays

Maria is from Viveiro, in the misty and beautiful northern coast of Galicia, and now calls Ireland her adopted home. She adores Santiago, where she studied Journalism at Santiago de Compostela University. She also loves travel, food, books, and arty and crafty. She has walked and cycled many trails including many Camino routes, Japan's Kumano Kodo, the Kerry Camino in Ireland and many others.

The Puente de la Rabia Legend

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The Puente de la Rabia Legend The Puente de la Rabia (“Rabies Bridge”) is a medieval stone bridge over the River Arga in Zubiri, Navarra, on Stage 2 of the Camino Francés between Roncesvalles and Pamplona. According to local legend, animals led three times around its central pillar were cured of rabies. The custom lasted […]

The Puente de la Rabia Legend Read More »

The Puente de la Rabia Legend The Puente de la Rabia (“Rabies Bridge”) is a medieval stone bridge over the River Arga in Zubiri, Navarra, on Stage 2 of the Camino Francés between Roncesvalles and Pamplona. According to local legend, animals led three times around its central pillar were cured of rabies. The custom lasted

The Collegiate Church of San Isidoro

Hotel on the Camino: Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro

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Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro: sleeping inside an 11th-century monastery The Real Colegiata de San Isidoro in León is one of the great Romanesque buildings of Spain — a basilica, a royal pantheon holding eleven kings, a cloister, a library and a museum, all in one complex in the middle of the city. Since 2005

Hotel on the Camino: Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro Read More »

Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro: sleeping inside an 11th-century monastery The Real Colegiata de San Isidoro in León is one of the great Romanesque buildings of Spain — a basilica, a royal pantheon holding eleven kings, a cloister, a library and a museum, all in one complex in the middle of the city. Since 2005

Lavacolla: The Pilgrims Washing Place

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Lavacolla: the pilgrims washing place Lavacolla is a village about 10km from Santiago de Compostela, on the final stage of the Camino Francés. Medieval pilgrims stopped here to wash in the stream before entering the holy city, a custom recorded in the 12th-century Codex Calixtinus. Today the village is best known as the home of

Lavacolla: The Pilgrims Washing Place Read More »

Lavacolla: the pilgrims washing place Lavacolla is a village about 10km from Santiago de Compostela, on the final stage of the Camino Francés. Medieval pilgrims stopped here to wash in the stream before entering the holy city, a custom recorded in the 12th-century Codex Calixtinus. Today the village is best known as the home of

Santo Domingo de la Calzada: the Miracle of the Hen

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Santo Domingo de la Calzada: the Miracle of the Hen Santo Domingo de la Calzada is a town of around 6,700 people in La Rioja, 561km from Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Francés. It is known for the miracle of the hen, a medieval legend in which a roasted cockerel and hen stood up

Santo Domingo de la Calzada: the Miracle of the Hen Read More »

Santo Domingo de la Calzada: the Miracle of the Hen Santo Domingo de la Calzada is a town of around 6,700 people in La Rioja, 561km from Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Francés. It is known for the miracle of the hen, a medieval legend in which a roasted cockerel and hen stood up

Villafranca del Bierzo: Little Compostela

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Villafranca del Bierzo is a beautiful mountain town on the Camino Francés, the last major stop before the great climb into Galicia — and one of the most meaningful places on the whole route. Known as ‘la pequeña Compostela’, “little Compostela”, it’s famous for a remarkable privilege: pilgrims who cannot complete the journey to Santiago

Villafranca del Bierzo: Little Compostela Read More »

Villafranca del Bierzo is a beautiful mountain town on the Camino Francés, the last major stop before the great climb into Galicia — and one of the most meaningful places on the whole route. Known as ‘la pequeña Compostela’, “little Compostela”, it’s famous for a remarkable privilege: pilgrims who cannot complete the journey to Santiago

Ponferrada and the Iron Bridge: The Origin of its Name

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Ponferrada is a historic town in the El Bierzo region of north-west Spain and one of the last major stops on the Camino Francés before Santiago de Compostela. It takes its name from a medieval iron-reinforced bridge built for pilgrims, and today it’s best known for its striking Knights Templar castle, its handsome old town,

Ponferrada and the Iron Bridge: The Origin of its Name Read More »

Ponferrada is a historic town in the El Bierzo region of north-west Spain and one of the last major stops on the Camino Francés before Santiago de Compostela. It takes its name from a medieval iron-reinforced bridge built for pilgrims, and today it’s best known for its striking Knights Templar castle, its handsome old town,

Walking the Camino in hot weather

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August is one of the hottest months on the Camino de Santiago, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C on inland routes. The key to walking comfortably in the heat is simple: start early, pace yourself, stay hydrated, protect your skin and rest during the hottest part of the day (12pm–3pm). On coastal routes like the Camino

Walking the Camino in hot weather Read More »

August is one of the hottest months on the Camino de Santiago, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C on inland routes. The key to walking comfortably in the heat is simple: start early, pace yourself, stay hydrated, protect your skin and rest during the hottest part of the day (12pm–3pm). On coastal routes like the Camino

Easter Celebrations, Santiago de Compostela

Camino Festivals Calendar

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Planning your Camino de Santiago trip? Many interesting festivals take place along the different Camino routes throughout the year, as most towns and villages host annual festivals to honour their patron saint, as well as to celebrate their local food, wine, and other special events. Whether they are world-famous, such as San Fermin in Pamplona, local gastronomic

Camino Festivals Calendar Read More »

Planning your Camino de Santiago trip? Many interesting festivals take place along the different Camino routes throughout the year, as most towns and villages host annual festivals to honour their patron saint, as well as to celebrate their local food, wine, and other special events. Whether they are world-famous, such as San Fermin in Pamplona, local gastronomic

Inside pages of a Camino Pilgrim Passport showing collected stamps along the Camino de Santiago.

Pilgrim Passports & Certificates Explained in Detail

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Camino Pilgrim Passports & Certificates Explained This guide breaks down the key differences between the various Camino Pilgrim Passports (Credencials) and the official certificates you can receive, including the well-known Compostela. 1. Traditional Camino Passport & Compostela Certificate Many walk the Camino de Santiago for spiritual, personal, or social reasons. Regardless of your motivation, you’ll

Pilgrim Passports & Certificates Explained in Detail Read More »

Camino Pilgrim Passports & Certificates Explained This guide breaks down the key differences between the various Camino Pilgrim Passports (Credencials) and the official certificates you can receive, including the well-known Compostela. 1. Traditional Camino Passport & Compostela Certificate Many walk the Camino de Santiago for spiritual, personal, or social reasons. Regardless of your motivation, you’ll

Finisterrana Certificate

Finisterrana and Muxiana Camino Certificates

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The Finisterrana (also called Fisterrá in Galician) is the official pilgrim certificate awarded to walkers and cyclists who complete the Camino Finisterre, the route from Santiago de Compostela to Cape Fisterra on the Atlantic coast of Galicia. Pilgrims who continue on to Muxía can also receive a second certificate, the Muxiana. Both certificates are issued

Finisterrana and Muxiana Camino Certificates Read More »

The Finisterrana (also called Fisterrá in Galician) is the official pilgrim certificate awarded to walkers and cyclists who complete the Camino Finisterre, the route from Santiago de Compostela to Cape Fisterra on the Atlantic coast of Galicia. Pilgrims who continue on to Muxía can also receive a second certificate, the Muxiana. Both certificates are issued

What does the word ‘Ultreia’ mean?

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Ultreia” (pronounced ool-TRAY-ah) is a Latin word meaning “onwards” or “beyond“, used as a traditional greeting and rallying cry between pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. The traditional response is “Et Suseia” (meaning “and upwards”). The phrase dates back to the 12th-century Codex Calixtinus, the earliest known guide to the Camino de Santiago. The Camino

What does the word ‘Ultreia’ mean? Read More »

Ultreia” (pronounced ool-TRAY-ah) is a Latin word meaning “onwards” or “beyond“, used as a traditional greeting and rallying cry between pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. The traditional response is “Et Suseia” (meaning “and upwards”). The phrase dates back to the 12th-century Codex Calixtinus, the earliest known guide to the Camino de Santiago. The Camino

Via Francigena in Tuscany

Walk the Via Francigena & receive the Testimonium

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The Via Francigena is one of Europe’s oldest pilgrimage routes, nearly 2,000 km from Canterbury in England to Rome, crossing France, Switzerland, and Italy. You don’t have to walk the whole thing. To receive the official pilgrim certificate, the Testimonium, you need to walk just the last 100 km on foot into Rome. And the

Walk the Via Francigena & receive the Testimonium Read More »

The Via Francigena is one of Europe’s oldest pilgrimage routes, nearly 2,000 km from Canterbury in England to Rome, crossing France, Switzerland, and Italy. You don’t have to walk the whole thing. To receive the official pilgrim certificate, the Testimonium, you need to walk just the last 100 km on foot into Rome. And the

Pilgrimage to Rome by Gavin Gough

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Pilgrimage to Rome Travel journalist and photographer Gavin Gough embarks on a pilgrimage to Rome. It is during our daydreaming sessions, those moments when we look blankly into the middle distance and for which school children are often reprimanded, that our unconscious minds seek out solutions and find resolutions. Going on a long distance walk

Pilgrimage to Rome by Gavin Gough Read More »

Pilgrimage to Rome Travel journalist and photographer Gavin Gough embarks on a pilgrimage to Rome. It is during our daydreaming sessions, those moments when we look blankly into the middle distance and for which school children are often reprimanded, that our unconscious minds seek out solutions and find resolutions. Going on a long distance walk

5 spectacular places on the Via Francigena in Tuscany

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While walking in Tuscany, you will be rewarded with wonderful picture-perfect landscapes: lush fields dotted with terracotta farmhouses, vineyards that stretch for miles, and rolling hills topped with vertigo-defying castles and medieval villages. Your taste buds will also be treated to the superb local food and wine after your walk — Tuscany is the land

5 spectacular places on the Via Francigena in Tuscany Read More »

While walking in Tuscany, you will be rewarded with wonderful picture-perfect landscapes: lush fields dotted with terracotta farmhouses, vineyards that stretch for miles, and rolling hills topped with vertigo-defying castles and medieval villages. Your taste buds will also be treated to the superb local food and wine after your walk — Tuscany is the land

Walk the Via Francigena: Best Times to Walk

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Choosing when to walk the Via Francigena is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The route stretches nearly 1,900 kilometres across four countries and multiple climate zones — what’s ideal for crossing the Alps in summer is completely different from the best conditions for walking into Rome in autumn. This guide covers everything

Walk the Via Francigena: Best Times to Walk Read More »

Choosing when to walk the Via Francigena is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The route stretches nearly 1,900 kilometres across four countries and multiple climate zones — what’s ideal for crossing the Alps in summer is completely different from the best conditions for walking into Rome in autumn. This guide covers everything

Via Francigena

How long is the Via Francigena?

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The Via Francigena is one of Europe’s great pilgrimage routes — a 2,000km+ journey on foot from Canterbury, England to Rome, Italy. If you’re serious about this challenge, here is everything you need to know before you lace up your boots. This epic trail, following the pilgrimage route taken by Sigeric the Serious, Archbishop of

How long is the Via Francigena? Read More »

The Via Francigena is one of Europe’s great pilgrimage routes — a 2,000km+ journey on foot from Canterbury, England to Rome, Italy. If you’re serious about this challenge, here is everything you need to know before you lace up your boots. This epic trail, following the pilgrimage route taken by Sigeric the Serious, Archbishop of

camino cycling etiquette

Bike etiquette on the Camino

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September is one of the busiest months on the Camino, with walkers and cyclists sharing the trails. Understanding good bike etiquette on the Camino is essential to ensure a safe, respectful, and enjoyable experience for everyone. As cycling continues to grow in popularity, knowing how to ride considerately helps preserve the unique spirit of the

Bike etiquette on the Camino Read More »

September is one of the busiest months on the Camino, with walkers and cyclists sharing the trails. Understanding good bike etiquette on the Camino is essential to ensure a safe, respectful, and enjoyable experience for everyone. As cycling continues to grow in popularity, knowing how to ride considerately helps preserve the unique spirit of the

Via de la Plata Diary – Gus’s Camino Story

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A Journey on the Via de la Plata Every Camino tells a different story. For Gus from Canada, the Via de la Plata became more than just a trail across Galicia—it was six days of friendship, resilience, and discovery. Starting in Ourense, Gus joined friends old and new to walk the final 100 km of

Via de la Plata Diary – Gus’s Camino Story Read More »

A Journey on the Via de la Plata Every Camino tells a different story. For Gus from Canada, the Via de la Plata became more than just a trail across Galicia—it was six days of friendship, resilience, and discovery. Starting in Ourense, Gus joined friends old and new to walk the final 100 km of

Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela

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When you complete your Camino journey in Santiago de Compostela, you can visit the Pilgrims’ Office to receive your Compostela certificate along with a warm and friendly welcome. The Pilgrims’ Office, officially called the Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino, is located right in the heart of the city, only a short walk from the Santiago

Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela Read More »

When you complete your Camino journey in Santiago de Compostela, you can visit the Pilgrims’ Office to receive your Compostela certificate along with a warm and friendly welcome. The Pilgrims’ Office, officially called the Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino, is located right in the heart of the city, only a short walk from the Santiago

Amazing coastal route

6 Amazing Coastal Trails on the Camino de Santiago

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“Have you seen my beloved by the waves of the sea of Vigo?” asked Martín Códax, a famous Galician troubadour of the 13th century. If the sea also inspires you, just as it inspired poets of the past, here are 6 amazing Camino coastal trails to spark your next walking adventure. 1 – Portuguese Coastal

6 Amazing Coastal Trails on the Camino de Santiago Read More »

“Have you seen my beloved by the waves of the sea of Vigo?” asked Martín Códax, a famous Galician troubadour of the 13th century. If the sea also inspires you, just as it inspired poets of the past, here are 6 amazing Camino coastal trails to spark your next walking adventure. 1 – Portuguese Coastal

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