Religious Tourism: The Way to Santiago

CHAPTER 3 THE WAY TO SANTIAGO
3 CHAPTER 3 THE WAY TO SANTIAGO
3.1 History of The Way of Santiago
Many researchers have explained the history of Santiago de Compostela (For
example, Coleman (2004); Esteve (2000); Jácome and Gonzalez (1992); Klaus
(1986); Picaus (2004)) But referring to Gonzalez and Camilo (1999), they stated the
history of The Way of Santiago explaining how at a time, when Europe needed to be
united, the Way to Santiago was the first element that made it possible. The find of
the sepulchre of the first Apostle Martyr became an unquestionable symbol,
compatible with the diverse conceptions of the Christians.
Conscious of the importance of having the relics of Santiago el Mayor, the Spanish
Monarchies contributed significantly to the success of the holy route. In those times
the peninsula had a growing need for money and soldiers to fight against the
Moorish.
The kings of Aragon, Navarre and Castile made a great effort to attract to their
possessions powerful rich people, and to that end, employed all possible means:
interchange of presents, arranged marriages and the announcements of the favours
dispensed by the Apostle. As the faith in the miracles performed by Santiago
extended people began to make pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela in order to
obtain his grace.
The first known pilgrim was Gotescalco, Bishop of Puy, who made the pilgrimage in
950 accompanied by his retinue; later the route was to be followed by the Marquis of
Gothia, who was murdered on the way; a century later, the Apostle’s tomb was
visited by the Archbishop of Lyon. And along these distinguished pilgrims, a
growing number of believers of all conditions travelled in the same route.
The Way to Santiago has indissolubly connected the culture, the knowledge and the
information. Everything that was said, preached, told, sung, sculpted or painting
David Mashhadigholam Rojo 24