The legacy left behind by previous invaders and conquerors such as the Moors, medieval Spaniards themselves or Jewish and other international communities is wealthy and varied.
Organized religion has played such a dominant part in the history and culture of Spain down through the centuries and as a result there are numerous pilgrimage routes to be found throughout the country.
Let us take a look at possibly the most famous of all of these pilgrimage routes, the Way of St. James. This first became a popular route for pilgrims in the ninth century when apparently the sepulchre of St James was discovered. The alleged last resting place of St. James the Apostle has been such an attraction that in the centuries following its discovery pilgrims from around the world have walked this particular pilgrimage route.
As is the way with a lot of religious and remarkable sites interest has been sporadic sometimes good sometimes not so good. During the 16th and 17th centuries interest in this remarkable route waned. It has been said that apparently in the past prisoners used to walk along the route as an attempt to try and do some penance in getting atonement for former misdemeanours.
what possibly turned the fortunes of this particular pilgrimage route around was the fact that in the 20th century the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation after extensive lobbying finally recognized Santiago de Compostela as a World traditions site of some importance and the knock on benefit of this was increased visitor traffic and more pilgrims.
The whole concept of the Way of St. James and the experience of Santiago de Compostela has moved on from being a mere pilgrimage site to now being a major visitor phenomena. This does not mean that the religious aspect of the pilgrimage has diminished in seriousness rather the fact that tourism has now become more of an attraction.
The English route, the French route and the Spanish routes probably are the most common starting off points for the Journey along the Way of St James. It has to be said that the most popular pilgrimage routes originate in France, leading from the north of France right down to Spain.
The journey to Santiago from Roncesvalles is some 760 km and so this particular journey is probably only for the very serious and ardent pilgrims. As they pass through remarkable towns and villages along the route such as Navarre, Burgos and Logrono, many pilgrims claim that having gone through this experience en route they feel suitably spiritually prepared for when they arrive at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
To ensure all of pilgrims who are on the route don't stray from the straight and narrow of the Way of St James an informal system all markers and signposts at strategic points along the way has been developed. These primary consist of yellow arrows placed strategically at various points and are widely credited to be the brainchild of Father Elias Valdinha. Of course his motive may well have been to ensure that pilgrims when they arrived at Santiago arrived in the best possible condition. No matter what, it is a good system and it works.
A considerate man.
As you travel around the country you see glimpses over past rich in the heritage of former conquerors be they the Moors, medieval Spaniards themselves or parts of the country that have Jewish and other international flavours. There are numerous religious sites and pilgrimage routes within Spain as befits a country that is how such a profoundly religious background.
If we take one of these pilgrimage routes, the Camino de Santiago, the way of St. James. El Camino de Santiago has had its origin in this in the ninth century and that was one off the three pilgrimages on which all sins could be forgiven for those who would complete the journey.
The ?Way of St James hasn't always been so popular and indeed during the 16th and 17th century interest in this route to the waned. Folklore says that during this time prisoners used to walk along the route is the attempt to try and perform penance. It is arguable that political unrest in the 16th century, Black plague, Protestant Reformation may have had something to do this.
The route was declared the first European cultural route by the Council of Europe in October 1987 and in 1993 was named one off UNESCO's World heritage sites.
Nowadays, Camino de Santiago, the way of St. James is more than just a religious pilgrimage route and has become a major tourist attraction whereby people merely pass along the route to appreciate the beauty and the historical heritage.
There are numerous starting off points for the way of St. James, the English route the French route and numerous Spanish routes. It has to be said that the most popular pilgrimage routes originate in France, leading from the north or France right down to Spain. All of the French routes come together and meet in the town of Roncesvalles in Navarre.
To be totally honest nowadays all but the most ardent and fervent pilgrims start out along the Way of St James from Roncesvalles and proceed along the 760 kilometre route to Santiago de Compostela. As they pass through historic towns and villages along the route such as Navarre, Burgos and Logrono, many pilgrims claim that having gone through this experience en route they feel suitably spiritually prepared for when they arrive at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
It would appear up by analyzing visitor figures the French route is the most popular.
The route does go some way to ensure that the pilgrims do not get lost along the way and the most common sign of route markers are the small yellow arrows that are found all along the way. It is said that these were by and large painted in the 1970'S by Father Elias Valdinha who as well as wanting to improve the way also wanted to avoid more confusion that was necessary and also to ensure that all pilgrims arrived at their destination in good order as well as humour!
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