Camino de Santiago Primitivo

Are you thinking of doing the Camino de Santiago in the coming months? Well, it is important that you know that there are, in addition to two ways of doing it (organized or free), different routes. And there are many roads that reach Santiago!

Today in Hard Hobbit To Break we want to talk to you about Camino de Santiago Primitivo, which is, as you can imagine by the name, the one used by the first devotees. Do you want to know more information about this route? Well, do not miss anything we tell you below! I assure you that you will love to know the origins of the most famous “path” on the planet!

Origins of the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago Primitivo has its origins in the 9th century, when, apparently, King Alfonso II learned that the remains of the Apostle were found in a field near Iria Flavia, a parish located in the province of A Coruña. Saint James the Greater. The monarch decided to make a pilgrimage from Oviedo, which in those times was considered the capital of the Astur Kingdom, to the sacred place, where he had a simple church built on the grave. Alfonso II was followed by other devotees who decided to make this pilgrimage route to venerate the remains of the apostle.

Later, pilgrims learned that the journey along the Cantabrian coast was much less difficult and that the French Way soon became the main one, especially when the capital of the Kingdom was transferred to Lion. However, many pilgrims made a detour to the ancient capital to visit the Cathedral, which was dedicated to the Savior Jesus Christ. In fact, in those times it was said: "Whoever goes to Santiago and not to the Savior, serves the servant and not the lord."

The way

If you are thinking of doing this path, you should know that it is a quiet and crowded route. In fact, the pilgrim will walk alone for many kilometers, which will help him to reflect and find his essence. Furthermore, those who have followed this path assure that thanks to the low number of pilgrims, concepts such as friendship and companionship become even more evident. Of course, it is possibly the most difficult way to travel, since it must be traveled through mountains and stone and mud roads. As if that were not enough, the weather conditions do not help at all when it is not summer, since there is usually a lot of cold, wind and rain, not to mention snow. Fortunately, following this route you can find many hostels located in a way that will allow you to smooth the different stages.

Stages

Although there are different variations, the Camino de Santiago Primitivo is made up of 13 stages: from Oviedo to San Juan de Villapañada (30.5 kilometers and 5 hostels); from San Juan de Villapañada to Salas (20 kilometers and 3 hostels); from Salas to Tinero (20.2 kilometers and 4 hostels); from Tineo to Pola de Allande (28.2 kilometers and 3 hostels); from Pola de Allande to La Mesa (22.8 kilometers and 4 hostels); from La Mesa to Grandas de Salime (16.8 kilometers and 1 hostel); from Grandas de Salime to Fonsagrada (28.1 kilometers and 4 hostels); from Fonsagrada to O Cádavo Baleira (23.4 kilometers and 1 hostel); from Cádavo Baleira to Lugo (30.5 kilometers and 3 hostels); from Lugo to San Romao da Retorta (19.7 kilometers and 2 hostels); from San Romao de Retorta to Melide (27.7 kilometers and 10 hostels); from Melide to O Pedrouzo (33.3 kilometers and 27 hostels); and from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela (20 kilometers and 15 hostels).

Heritage

Beyond Oviedo and Lugo, ancient cities with authentic jewelry artistic and monumental, during the Camino de Santiago Peregrino you can find really interesting natural and cultural corners: the Peñaflor Gorge; ancient oaks and yews; the Asturian council of Allande; the Salto de Salime hydroelectric dam; megalithic deposits and military fortifications; stately houses; beautiful bridges; different public buildings; museums; and, of course, numerous religious buildings of great value.

Camino De Santiago - Camino Primitivo 2018 (April 2024)