Two thousand years ago all roads led to Rome, but as the map at right shows, others opened up 900 years later to the final resting place of St. James, one of the 12 biblical apostles, in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, tucked away in the far northwestern province of Galicia. In the centuries that followed, routes fanned out all across Europe to converge on the starting point of this 750km Pilgrimage at St. Pied de Port in France, a short distance from the Spanish border.
Today, many still embark on this Pilgrimage, some journeying on foot from afar as Poland, for spiritual discovery. Others are drawn by the medieval history and architecture, while trekkers are attracted by the shear beauty and tranquility of the Iberian Peninsula. A few more come simply to guzzle the many famous Rioja wines on route.
Whatever the reasons, those with sufficient intestinal fortitude to complete the 750km traverse are rewarded with the coveted scallop shell as a memento. Some will tackle the route in stages spanning a period of many years. Others will complete the journey in a single trip spanning 5-6 weeks. Astrid and I have just 4 weeks...
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