“Codex Calixtimus” – 1140 AD - world’s first guidebook?

“The pilgrim route (Camino) is a very good thing, but it is narrow. For the road that leads us to life is narrow; on the other hand the road that leads to death is broad and spacious. The pilgrim route is for those who are good; it is the lack of vices, the thwarting of the body, the increase of virtues, pardon for

sins, sorrow for the penitent, the road of the righteous, love of the saints, faith in the resurrection, and the reward of the blessed, a separation from hell, the

protection of the heavens. It takes us away from luscious foods, it makes gluttonous fat vanish, it restrains voluptuousness, constrains the appetites of the flesh which attack the fortress of the soul, cleanses the spirit, leads us to contemplation, humbles the haughty, raises up the lowly, loves poverty. It

also loves the person who gives to the poor (pilgrims). It rewards those who live simply and do good works. (And) it does not pluck those who are stingy

and wicked away from the claws of sin”.

Biking the Camino de Santiago

aka “The Way” or “The Way of St. James”

Summer 2015

• 1000 year old religious / spiritual pilgrimage

• Sins to be forgiven upon completion!!

History of the Camino• Christ’s disciples scatter to spread the new faith.• Legend that James travels to edge of Roman world (Finisterrae) to

preach – Northern Spain• He returns to Judea after a vision and beheaded by Romans in 44 AD• His remains returned to Spain and buried• Circa 800 AD: a shepherd sees a bright light and revelation at spot of St.

James bones • Church foundation laid and vow made to drive Moors from Spain• Present church at site dates to 12th Century

The Pilgrimage• Earliest visits to site in 9th Century• Main route traces earlier Roman road and starts in Pyrenees

(Spanish Camino); other routes start in Lisbon and Paris• 11th Century – pilgrims arriving from France, Portugal, England• 12th Century: hospices and churches accommodate pilgrims –

early example of a tourism industry• By 16th Century: Camino interest wanes due to Black Death,

Protestant Reformation, Defeat of Moors, political unrest.• 1987: pilgrimage interest returns: named as UNESCO World

Heritage Site and European Cultural Route • 2014: 238,000 complete the Camino

Famous Pilgrims include:• St. Frances of Assisi• Alexander von Humboldt• John Adams – in reverse• Shirley Maclaine

Camino Purpose and Meaning• Middle Ages – Catholic leadership develops a system of penance for sins• Three main pilgrimages (Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago) are way to earn a

plenary indulgence for greater crimes and for those who unable to earn penance through gifts to the church• The Credencial (stamped passport) proof of completed walk• Modern Camino: Compostela earned after walk of 100km or bike of 200

km. Passport stamps still used to provide proof. Purpose of trek can be “religious”, “spiritual”, or “other” (for health or sport).• Compostela proclamation: “The Holy Apostolic Metropolitan Council of

Santiago de Compostela expresses its warm welcome to the tomb of the Apostle St. James the Greater; and wishes that the holy Apostle may grant you, in abundance, the graces of the Pilgrimage”.

Scallop Shell is symbol of Camino and of St. James– all lines lead to Santiago

Spain has a Summer Dry Subtropical or “Mediterranean” Climate

Spain has semi arid chaparral biomes

Spain gets greener near the northwest coast in Galicia, Spain’s Celtic region

Deb getting a well deserved break from the MNSCU Central Office

First night in Leon – tapas and beer

Cathedral of Leon

Monetary in Leon

Served as prison during the Spanish Civil War

Office Building by Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) – Spain’s most famous architect

Antoni Gaudi• Ascetic lifestyle –

religious vegetarian, celibate

• Style described as influenced by Modernism, neo-gothic, orient, nature

• Last 20 years of life dedicated to building Cathedral Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

• Hit by tram and not taken to hospital -mistaken for beggar

• Beatified by Vatican

Astorga Cathedral – Astorga was once the chocolate capital of Spain

Palace by Gaudi in Astorga

Knights of Templar Castle circa 1300

Lots of old stuff in Spain

Roman era burial vault

The regional delicacy of Galicia

Keeping the grains dry

Welcome site after our longest ride in 100 degrees heat

End of pilgrimage at Cathedral in Santiago

• Church officials prepare the incense.Mass is held each day at noon for the pilgrims.Crowds wait for the swinging of the Botafumiero.

Santiago Cathedral (built in 1200 AD) from the roof

Romanesque era features badly weathered

Reminder of Spain as colonizer

Our bike tour group

Our Group in front of the Santiago Cathedral of St. James

Out on the town

Our tour leaders: Jago, Joan, and Loic

Royal Palace in Madrid – built when Spain ruled the world!

July 4th – Europe’s largest gay pride parade in Madrid

Street signs in central Madrid