The Camino de Santiago is a Christian pilgrimage that thousands of people undertake every year. Due to busy lives, few do the whole 30 day walk but instead undertake different Camino de Santiago routes of a shorter distance and timeframe.
Many undertake a week-long tour and slowly increase the distance year on year. It isn’t just Christian pilgrims that make the journey, but lovers of walking holidays too as Camino de Santiago routes involve incredible views and seeing things most tourists don’t see.
History of the Pilgrimage
The original pilgrimage dates back to 814AD when King Alfonso II the Chaste walked from Oviedo to the Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in Northwest Spain. He undertook the walk to confirm that the remains recently found were those of St James.
The total distance walked was 325 Kms, and the endeavours of King Alfonso II inspired other Christians to take on the walk, especially in the 11th century. A few centuries later, Pope Alexander VI declared the Camino de Santiago one of the three great pilgrimages. It is also known as the way of St. James.
The Portuguese Way
Spending thirty days or so walking the Camino de Santiago is not always feasible. As such, the walk has been broken down into stages with different starting positions. The Camino Portuguese way often finishes at the Cathedral in Galicia which is the endpoint of the pilgrimage. Depending on the length of your walk, you will receive a certificate that states you completed the pilgrimage.
Let’s look at the Portuguese way in more depth.
Camino de Santiago from Lisbon.
This is the first stage of the pilgrimage and finishes in Santarem. Starting in the nation’s capital city your walk will take you through the valley of the River Tagus, and for a while, you’ll walk along part of the Camino de Fatima which is another pilgrimage.
Camino de Santiago from Santarem
This section finishes in Coimbra which is home to the University of Coimbra one of the oldest in the world. This stage is packed with historical architecture and tradition and you will particularly enjoy Santarem, Tomar, and Coimbra.
Camino de Santiago from Porto
The city famous for being the birthplace of Port wine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the fourth stage of the pilgrimage and over eight days you’ll trek to Tui the border town between Portugal and Spain. Along the way, you’ll take in the breathtaking Atlantic coast, together with forest, green hills, and picturesque villages with many possessing baroque churches.
The Camino de Santiago from Tui
This is the last leg of the journey to Santiago in Galicia and you begin at the border town of Portugal and Spain. It is a curious town with both countries being divided by the River Mino that’s spanned by the International Bridge.
When you begin your trek you cross the bridge and begin your journey to Arcade, part of the Galician coastline. Rural towns, glorious rolling hills and farmland await you as you enjoy Pontevedra and its wonderful old quarter architecture, together with Rias Baixas where you can taste the famous Albariño white wine.
The Portuguese Way is wonderful. Try and walk it when you can.
