Camí de Sant Jaume

The recovery of the main Catalan paths of the Camí de Sant Jaume responds to the desire to integrate Catalonia into a consolidated network of great European cultural itineraries, of which the Camí de Sant Jaume becomes the most important and representative example. In this sense, the Camí de Sant Jaume has been considered a "cultural asset" and recognized as the "first great European itinerary" by the European Institute of Cultural Routes, attached to the Council of Europe. Likewise, the main ramifications of the road have been declared "World Heritage" by UNESCO.

Starting point

The starting point (Km 0) is in the center of town, specifically on Avenida JV Foix, right next to the sea.

Signage

The itinerary of the Camí de Sant Jaume is marked with the signs of the General Directorate of Tourism: three-meter-high post with one or more flags indicating the direction to follow. The signals, however, have the peculiarity of being blue, the color used in Jacobean signaling throughout Europe. The indications are accompanied by the symbol of the shell or scallop.

The Camí de Sant Jaume is also signposted with the typical yellow arrows indicating all the Camins de Sant Jaume. These marks are painted by the members of the Association of Friends of the Camí de Sant Jaume. You have to be careful because the two signs do not always coincide.

The credential

The Credential is the pilgrim's card, a personal document that accredits you as such. People who make the pilgrimage to Santiago on foot, by bicycle or on horseback are freed.

It is a small accordion-shaped document that contains the pilgrim's data and that has a series of spaces where you can place the seals of the shelters, parishes or other establishments of the towns where the pilgrim passes. It is not necessary to put more than one stamp a day, usually the credential of the place where you spend the night is stamped, but any other stamp that shows the name of the town or place where you pass is used.

The Credential is provided by bishoprics, some parishes and associations of friends of Camí de Sant Jaume. In Catalonia you can also get it at the Abadia de Montserrat. The pilgrim documented with the Credential does not acquire any right or any obligation with anyone, therefore, it is up to him to provide himself with the means to carry out the pilgrimage: food, lodging, etc. Nobody can demand anything because of their status as a pilgrim, although the Credential does facilitate access to shelters.

The Credential, likewise, serves to obtain the Compostela, a document that certifies that the pilgrimage to Santiago has been made. This certificate, issued by the Cathedral of Santiago, is issued to those pilgrims who declare that they have made their pilgrimage pietatis causa, that is, for religious or spiritual reasons. Otherwise, you will always have the Credential as a supporting document.

You can apply for the Compostela by presenting the Credential at the Pilgrim Reception Office in Santiago (rúa do Vilar, 1 Tel. 981 566 577) and with a minimum of the last 100 kilometers of Camino traveled on foot or the last 200 kilometers traveled by bicycle or on horseback. Therefore, having traveled only the Montserrat-Alcarrás Catalan section does not serve to obtain the Compostela if the journey to Santiago is not completed.