The Camino de Santiago

Ancient map of the Camino de Santiago
“The massive Commandery of the Knights Templar lay like a slumbering beast. Its time-stained Arc jutted into the air and a fortified gate blocked the passage of the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage that had led Isabella from the safety of her father’s palace to this desolate land. Now, here she was fleeing murderers into the hands of those she had been taught not to trust.”​
The Way: Through a Field of Stars
A figure standing on the Camino de Santiago with mountains and sunset in the background.
Two people (Brian and Chelsea Skillen) standing in front of a Camino de Santiago marker (a stone pillar with a yellow arrow pointing up)
The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of Saint James, is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes. These routes all lead to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The Camino has been walked by pilgrims for over a thousand years, and it is considered one of the most important Christian pilgrimage routes in the world.
 
The Way of Saint James is not only a religious pilgrimage but also a cultural and historical experience. Walkers admire the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the regions they cross. Today, people from all over the world walk the Camino for many reasons. They take the pilgrimage for spiritual fulfillment, personal challenge, adventure, or cultural exploration. It also offers pilgrims a chance to meet with travelers from all around the world.
 
There are several different routes that make up the Camino, with the most popular being the Camino Frances. This route starts in St. Jean Pied de Port in France and crosses the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain. This particular route covers a distance of about 780 km. The journey can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months to complete, depending on the pace of the traveler. Other popular routes include the Camino Portugués, the Camino del Norte, and the Camino Inglés.
Sunset over the path on the Camino
A figure walking down a path on the Camino with trees on either side and the sun setting in the space between the trees

If you would like to go back in time and take an adventure on the Camino de Santigo, check out the Camino de Santiago book series. Click here to get your copy!