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Santiago de Compostela, The Primitive Route
Introduction
One of the remotest towns in Western Europe in the most westerly part of Spain, Santiago has been a goal if pilgrimage for over a thousand years. All this time people have travelled here by foot, by horse, by bicycle, and now by car and by coach following the historic trail that was finally recognised in 1987 by the Council of Europe as its first European Cultural Route. The journey was long and often arduous – but century after century pilgrims have kept coming on a journey of discovery not only of this historic and beautiful region of Spain but also of themselves, seeking to allow God a space in which, amidst the very physical business of travelling, he may be able to reach out to us and we to find new glimpses of him. Many Pilgrims left the Camino Francès at Leon and travelled north to visit the Camara Santa (Holy Chamber) in Oviedo Cathedral. Extra indulgences were thus gained. “whoever goes to Saint James and not to the Saviour, visits the servant and misses the master”
This pilgrimage and example itinerary are available to private groups of between 20 - 40 people
Basic Itinerary
DAY ONE
London - Valladolid - Leon
Scheduled flight from London Stansted to Valladolid. Transfer by coach to Leon (under 2 hours) to check into our centrally-located hotel for dinner and a two-night stay.
DAY TWO
Leon
In the morning we have a guided tour of Leon, including the ancient church of San Isidoro which has wonderful Romanesque wall paintings, and a tremendous atmosphere of devotion. We also visit the Gothic Cathedral which is very much like that at Chartres - the most elegant and French of the cathedrals of Spain. The Eucharist will be celebrated during the course of the morning. In the afternoon there will be the opportunity to go to the Hostal San Marcos. This former monastery, with magnificent 16th century buildings is now a Parador hotel. Its former purpose is revealed in the plateresque decoration of the walls with dozens of scallop shells, the mark of pilgrims to Santiago. Dinner will be in our hotel tonight.
DAY THREE
Leon - Oviedo
After breakfast, we transfer by coach to Oviedo 2 hours). King Alfonso II (791-842), established Oviedo as a capital city, after the creation of the pilgrims’ route to Santiago de Compostela. The Cathedral of San Salvador, dedicated to the Saviour was built at this time, and became a major focal point of the pilgrimage route. Within the cathedral is located the Camara Santa, dating from 802 AD and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There will be a guided tour of the Cathedral, as well as time to explore on our own. Check into our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY FOUR
Oviedo - Lugo
Today we follow the route taken by Alfonso II, the king of Asturia, who on being informed that the body of St James had been found in Galicia, promptly set off in that direction, as a pilgrim. Our route passes along a spectacular scenic route through villages containing references to the pilgrimage, before entering the ancient town of Lugo (formerly the Roman city of Lucus Augusta), through the door of San Pedro, which is in the famous Roman wall. We check into our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY FIVE
Lugo - Santiago de Compostela
We tour the Romanesque Cathedral, which contains the magnificent Pantocrator on the northern façade. There is also a wonderful gothic sculpture which has been called ‘The Virgin of the Big Eyes’. We leave Lugo through the Puerta del Carmen, the oldest door in the Roman wall, and drive towards Melide, where the Northern route meets the Camino Frances (the French Route), and on to Santiago de Compostela, the culmination of our pilgrimage. Check into our centrallylocated hotel for dinner and a three-night stay.
DAY SIX
Santiago de Compostela
We celebrate an early Eucharist in a chapel of the Cathedral after which we meet our local guide for a tour of the Cathedral and which has an amazing baroque façade hiding the much earlier Romanesque building lying on the site where in the 8th century it was thought that the tomb of St James had been discovered. For many pilgrims the climax is touching the great figure of the Saint behind the altar. This afternoon will be at leisure. You may wish to explore some of the city’s excellent museums and churches, or just relax in one of the many cafés or tapas bars. Dinner will be at our hotel.
DAY SEVEN
"To the end of the Earth"
We depart from Santiago on the final stage of our journey to “the end of the Earth”. The town of Noia is our first stop, named after Noah, and where his dove is said to have found an olive branch. Continue to the town of Muros, once an important port serving Santiago de Compostela. We continue on to the fishing village of Corcubion, with its strange statue of St Mark in the parish church. Our final port of call is Cape Finisterre, where we can gaze out over the Dark Sea and the horizon beyond, to signify the end of our journey. We return to Santiago in the late afternoon. Dinner will be in our hotel.
DAY EIGHT
Santiago de Compostela - London
Morning transfer to Santiago airport for our return flight to London Stansted.
Terms of Payment:This pilgrimage and example itinerary are available throughout the year for private group of between 20 - 40 people. |
