Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago, the way of St James is a network of walks or pilgrimages that end  in Santiago de Compostela in Northwestern Spain.  Legend has it that St James, the apostle went to Spain to convert the heathens around 40 AD. He returned to Judea and was beheaded. Then God steered a stone  boat with his body back to Spain.  His remains were discovered 800 years later, and the faithful over the next few hundred years, built a massive cathedral   The walk to Santiago to honor St James’ return has been going on for centuries. The northern Portuguese Camino begins at the Cathedral in Porto where this 16th century statue of a pilgrim shows him ready to go.

I am not religious, but I think it’s a different way to see this part of the world.  As long as my knees hold up! 

Pilgrims (perigrinas) on the Portuguese route follow either the coastal or central. The symbol on the map is on the way-markers so you don’t get lost along the route.

Today I walked out of Porto along the Duro River. This 21st century walker is ready to test the theory.