Until the 16th century, millions of people from all over Europe, simple farmers, as well as saints and kings, went on the pilgrimage to Santiago. It is said that these pilgrimages had an important influence on the creation of the European identity.

In the 16th century, the number of people going to Santiago decreased, until the trail was basically forgotten.   The relics of Santiago were hidden as well, out of fear that pirates might plunder the city. They were rediscovered in 1879 but the revival of pilgrimages to Santiago did not take place until the UNESCO declared the city Santiago de Compostela and the most important parts of the Camino in Spain and France as cultural world heritage.

1000 kilometers. On foot. All the way from the small town Aire sur l'Adour in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. That is the part of the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St James, that I will walk. The Camino is the most famous still existing medieval pilgrims trail in Europe.

The pilgrimage to Santiago became famous in the 9th century, after the discovery of the grave of St Jacob (in Spanish: Santiago) and the appearance of him in the battle of Clavijo (not far from Logroño, which you can find on the map on the main page) where he led the Christians to victory over the Arabs. At least this is what the legend tells.