The Camino de Santiago is traditionally a religious pilgrimage, but it’s so much more than that. As you walk through Spain, France, Portugal and Italy, you will inevitably experience many different cultural customs, festivals and events. Experiencing as many of these cultural events as possible will help make your Camino experience even more unforgettable. While St. James Day is the most well-known event taking place along the Camino de Santiago, it certainly isn’t the only one. Hopefully our Culture & Events articles will help inspire your trip and help you decide what dates you want to walk. Maybe there’s a festival or two you absolutely don’t want to miss.
Ponferrada Iron bridge, the origin of the name The history of the city of Ponferrada, on the Camino Frances, is linked to the Camino de Santiago from its very origins, as the town developed as a settlement on the road to Santiago in the Middle Ages. Bishop Osmundo from Astorga ordered to build Ponferrada Iron […]
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Santo Domingo de la Calzada: the Miracle of the Hen Santo Domingo de la Calzada in La Rioja, is home to one of the most famous miracles or legends on the Camino de Santiago. Located on the third section of the French Way of the Camino de Santiago, the history of Santo Domingo de la
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The Camino de Santiago has inspired many books and films in many languages, both documentaries and works of fiction. In Camino movies, talented writers and filmmakers have reflected on their personal journeys and created fantastic stories for their fictional and yet very real characters, encouraging many to grab their walking boots and experience the Camino
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At CaminoWays.com we are proud to be supporting the Kerry Camino Walking Festival since 2015, and we will be back in Tralee in May 2020. This fantastic festival attracts Camino and walking fans from all over Ireland and beyond to the Dingle Peninsula for three days of walking, ‘craic agus ceol’ (that is fun and music
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Codex Calixtinus The Codex Calixtinus is a 12th century illuminated manuscript formerly attributed to Pope Callixtus II, though now believed to have been arranged by the French scholar Aymeric Picaud. The principal author is actually given as ‘Scriptor I’.It was intended as an anthology of background detail and advice for pilgrims following the Way of
Suppose you are in Santiago de Compostela or walking the Camino de Santiago on 17th May. In that case, you will get to celebrate a particular date in Galicia’s calendar: Galician Literature Day, ‘Día das Letras Galegas’ or simply ‘Día das Letras’. On 17th May, Galicians celebrate their language, their literature, as well as their
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Also known as Antroido, Entroido or Carnaval; Carnival is one of the best loved festivals in Galicia and across Spain, by people of all ages; and a great time to experience a very different and colourful side of the Camino de Santiago. *Peliqueiros de Laza. Image courtesy of Turismo de Galicia For generations, Carnival has
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Native oak woodland restoration project with CaminoWays What should be a thriving oak woodland is a now a green desert. Located in the northeast of Portugal, this woodland restoration project aims to develop sustainable land management practices to deal with the ravenous summer wildfires and regenerate native oak woodland. The purpose of this project is
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Spooky Camino: The Pilgrim Ghost In Santiago de Compostela, you will find the pilgrim ghost if you visit the imposing Quintana square, Praza da Quintana, at the back of the cathedral; with the plain granite stone and barred windows of the adjoining San Paio convent looking on. Quintana is a very popular square, frequented by
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On St John, witches will flee! On the night of 23rd June and in the early hours of 24th June, many cities and towns along the Camino de Santiago, including Santiago de Compostela, celebrate the official arrival of Summer (have a look at our page on Festivals on the Camino). Across Spain and Portugal, St John
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CaminoWays sponsors Galicia at the GAA World Games We are very excited to announce that CaminoWays.com are the official sponsor of the Galicia team for the GAA World Games taking place in Ireland next week. Our multi-cultural team will be supporting teams from around the world but as the Camino is our passion and Galicia is
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Following the Yellow Arrows to Santiago The name of Don Elías Valiña Sampedro might not ring any bells but you will certainly recognise his most ‘famous’ creation: the yellow arrow pointing the way along the Camino de Santiago. Don Elías (1929-1989) was the parish priest in O Cebreiro in Lugo and studied the history of the St James
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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’ but also celebrating their local food and wine and other special events. Whether they are world-famous such as San Fermin in Pamplona, local
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Cathedrals of Galicia Santiago de Compostela cathedral is the most famous cathedral in Galicia but did you know there are four other cathedrals in Galicia, along four main Camino de Santiago routes to Santiago de Compostela. Most of Galicia’s cathedrals are medieval in origin, following a classic Romanesque style, although later additions have given the
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The Old Irish College in Santiago Pazo de Ramirás, a classic Galician townhouse located at number 44 on Rúa Nova in Santiago de Compostela, is built on the site of the former Irish College. The college was founded in 1605 and was open to Irish students until 1769. Santiago’s College (Antigo Colexio dos Irlandeses) was
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Closed to the public for most part of its 500-year history, the Saint James tower in Paris (Tour Saint Jacques) is the historic meeting point for pilgrims starting their Camino de Santiago journey from the French capital. This site used to be home to a 16th century church that was destroyed in the French Revolution.
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Climbing Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday The last Sunday of July is Reek Sunday, when thousands climb Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick in Westport, County Mayo. Climbing Crough Patrick is no small task and it’s a great way to prepare for the Camino de Santiago. This year, the CaminoWays.com team headed to Mayo in the
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Santo dos Croques: from Sculptor to ‘Saint’ Most pilgrims walking the Camino and visiting the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela have one primary objective: seeing the tomb of St James. However, for many years (many estimates even up to four centuries), there was another ‘Saint’ that partially stole the limelight from the mighty St James.
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Can you see Ireland from the Tower of Hercules? The port city of A Coruña, in North West Galicia, is one of the traditional starting points of the English Way to Santiago de Compostela. The English Way was one of the routes followed by pilgrims from Northern Europe who used to arrive to the ports of Coruña or
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Family Friendly Pedallers Pilgrimage October 27, 2012. http://www.smh.com.au/travel/pedallers-pilgrimage-20121025-286wf.html Lizzie Enfield and son climb on their bikes and turn the challenging Camino de Santiago into a family friendly affair. ‘Five years ti-i-ime.” My nine-year-old son is showing Noah and the Whale chords on an air ukulele to sixtysomething Liverpudlian Jack. Both play real ones back home.
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