If you are thinking about doing the Camino de Santiago, Spain Incoming as your incoming travel agency customizes your Camino and prepare everything you may need. Thus, in this post we present you singular souvenirs or remembering items for all pilgrims of the world who live the Camino de Santiago experience.: The Compostela is a document showing that the pilgrim has done the Camino, a unique souvenir. Read on if you want to know more about which are the Camino de Santiago certificates are and how to get them.
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How many Camino de Santiago certificates are?
Pilgrimage souvenirs
Travelling and visiting new places is always a very moving experience: new cultures and traditions, monuments, natural environments, restaurants and infinite emotions.
We all go back home with unique memories, whether material or immaterial, pictures, souvenirs or just good feelings… So we encourage you to get to know all about certificates as your souvenir during your Camino experience.
The Compostela
Pilgrims end their way with infinite feelings and emotions, every step along the Camino de Santiago is an experience and the Camino is definitely full of magic.
The pilgrims’ certificates – La Compostela
Once pilgrims get to Santiago de Compostela, after walking at least 100 km or cycling 200 km by (minimum required by the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral), they can get the Compostela, the official document that certificates their pilgrimage.
Camino de Santiago certificates – La Compostela
This document is more than a paper written in Latin with your name. Without doubt, it is a unique recognition that cannot be found elsewhere. The requirements for getting the Compostela are:
- Doing the Camino de Santiago for religious or spiritual reasons
- Walking the minimum required kilometres by foot or horse (100km) or cycling (200km)
- Having the Pilgrims’ passport or Pilgrims’ Credential stamped at least 2 a day
Camino de Santiago certificates – Pilgrims’ Credential
La Compostela from A Coruña
As we have already commented, La Compostela is only granted to those pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago who for religious or spiritual reasons :
- Walk the last 100 km
- Cycle the last 200 km
However, after several negotiations between the municipality of A Coruña and the Cathedral of Santiago, they agree to issue the Compostela starting from A Coruña to certain cases of pilgrimage even if only 75 km of the 100 km are fulfilled required.
Who gets the Compostela from A Coruña:
- Residents in A Coruña
- Foreign pilgrims who have historical ties with the English Way, especially from the United Kingdom and Ireland and who accredit with the proper stamps have walked in their country 20 km
- Other foreign pilgrims who have Jacobean routes near their home who accredit with the proper stamps have walked in their country 20 km
Who does not get the Compostela from a Coruña
- To Spanish nationals or foreigners who do not meet the aforementioned requirements.
If you do not fulfill those requirements you can get still get the Compostela by walking the complete English Way from Ferrol.
La Compostela, is one of the more desired certificates, and why? This document is the proof of doing one of the official routes of the Camino. Every year more than 300.000 Compostelas are issued!
How to get La Compostela
For obtaining the Compostela, pilgrims must go to the Pilgrim’s Reception Office, located at Street Carretas 33, near to the Cathedral and under the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos.
Welcome certificate
Pilgrims who walk or cycle the Camino for leisure or for any reason other than religious or spiritual can get the Welcome certificate. This paper proofs that you have done the Camino, at least 100 km by foot or 200 km by bike.
Camino de Santiago certificates – Welcome certificate
Certificate of distance
This certificate is bigger than the Compostela or the Welcome certificate and has more information too:
- Pilgrims’ name.
- Date and starting point.
- Number of kilometres travelled.
- The day of arrival and the route.
Camino de Santiago certificates – Certificate of distance
Pilgrims who have Welcome Certificate or La Compostela can obtain the Certificate of Distance at the Pilgrim’s Office for 3 €.
Moreover, pilgrims who made the pilgrimage before this certificate was created, can also request it by e-mail.
Cathedral visit certificate
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela also issues a certificate of visit for all who wants a souvenir of their visit to the Cathedral and the tomb of St. James.
This certificate costs 3€ and like the Certificate of Distance, it has elements of the Codex Calixtinus and the image of the Apostle Santiago de Compostela in the Pórtico de la Gloria.
Camino de Santiago certificates – Cathedral visit certificate
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