THE WAY OF ST JAMES

Several people have asked me 'What is the origin of this Pilgrimage?'
Until Ben became obsessed with completing the very long journey to Santiago de Compostela, I had been completely devoid of any knowledge of such a route and the real meaning behind it. The Way Of Saint James is the third largest Christian Pilgrimage in the world and, for over one thousand years, countless people have either walked or ridden (horseback or donkey) from Le Puy en Velay to Santiago de Compostela. Cyclists have joined the Pilgrims on the route relatively recently. The many, many thousands of travelling Pilgrims increase with every year that passes and, during a Holy Year, the amount of Pilgrims becomes an 'avalanche'.
Legends of The Pilgrimage's origins abound but, by far the favourite, is that when Christ died His Disciples scattered to all parts of the then known world - spreading The Word. Saint James travelled to Spain where, without great success, he remained for two years. Having returned to Jerusalem, he was beheaded by Herod in AD44.
Immediately, following his martyrdom, St James' followers carried his body back to Spain where he was entombed on a hillside with, at a later date, two of his followers.
750 years later, during the reign of Alfonso II of Spain, the remains of the three were discovered - one being identified as the remains of St James. Alfonso declared this to be a Holy Site and, having declared that St James be the patron Saint of Spain, he built a church and monastery over the tomb.
Around this Holy Site, a town steadily grew and that town became Santiago de Compostela.
The majestic building, under which the remains of Saint James lie, is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

This is a completely condensed and sketchy precis of the Pilgrimage's origins and reams of information can be found on websites and in books. I hope this miniscule piece has helped to answer the question that I have been asked.

Jenny