Until the day the Feast of Saint James is celebrated, the cathedral that keeps the relics of the apostle was visited by more than 200 thousand pilgrims.
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN– (04/09/2022 2:20 PM Gaudium Press) The international pilgrimage center of Santiago de Compostela in Spain has registered a record number of pilgrims this year. Until the day when the Feast of Saint James is celebrated, July 25, the cathedral that keeps the relics of the apostle was visited by more than 200 thousand pilgrims.
Growing number of pilgrims
According to the dean of the cathedral, Father José Fernández, in January of this year alone, 1,600 pilgrims visited the shrine. In April the number of visitors rose to 48,000, being the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that this pilgrimage center, the oldest in Europe, receives such a large flow of pilgrims.
Most of the pilgrims are Spanish
Although the pilgrims come from all continents, most of them are Spanish. According to the rector, among the groups of pilgrims who traveled to the Shrine of Santiago de Compostela many were German, American and even Korean. The year 2019 had the most pilgrims so far.
Avenue of Europe
The Camino de Santiago de Compostela, whose goal is Santiago Cathedral, is also known as the “Avenue of Europe.” Those who do it from different routes must complete a minimum of 100 kilometers on foot or 200 kilometers on bicycle or horseback to obtain the Compostela, which is the certificate that is given to pilgrims once they reach Santiago de Compostela and complete the Santiago de Compostela route for religious purposes. (EPC)
Compiled by Angelica Vecchiato
