Camino de Santiago / The Way of St. James
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In the 9th century, the tomb of Santiago (St. James) was discovered in what was known as Libredón forest, in the northeast of the Iberian peninsula. A church was founded which the first pilgrims began to visit. In the 11th century it was solidified as a pilgrimage center at a European level. It’s often said that there are as many routes as there are pilgrims; although it’s true that throughout time, several main routes were developed, like the Portuguese, the Silver, the English, the French and the Northern Ways. The latter runs throughout the region, crossing the municipalities of Alfoz de Lloredo, Ruiloba, Comillas, Valdáliga, San Vicente de la Barquera and Val de San Vicente. Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over the world pass through Saja Nansa on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The French Way and the Northern Way, which includes the Coastal Way, the Primitive Way, the Lebaniego Way and the Basque-Rioja Interior Way, are declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Likewise, the Camino de Santiago belongs to the network of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe since, in addition to its religious component, it had a great cultural impact. Along the Camino, a rich material heritage was built such as bridges, churches, shelters, hospitals, etc. And it also had a great impact on intangible heritage. Let us remember that the Camino was round trip, that is, the pilgrims arrived in Santiago and returned to their homes. In that come and go they did an "import and export" job of languages, customs and even legends. We could say that it was the first “Cultural Tourism”. The last section of the path through Cantabrian lands is divided into 3 legs, although each person adapts it to their liking. We start in Santillana del Mar, which although it does not belong to the region, we have placed it in order to provide the pilgrim with a place of greater relevance. 1. Santillana del Mar - Comillas 2. Comillas - San Vicente de la Barquera 3 San Vicente de la Barquera - Unquera
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And interesting fact is the names of places, streets, fountains, hermitages or churches that bear the name of Santiago. Generally, it means that the Camino passes through or near that place.