El Camino Day 10: Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada

/ calleoscope
El Camino: Scenic Photos
El Camino: Wildlife and Domesticated Animals
El Camino: Maps and Distances Hiked
Today’s map . . . Taken from “Village to Village Guide, Camino de Santiago, Camino Frances: St. Jean – Santiago – Finisterre” https://www.caminoguidebook.com/about. An excellent guidebook we highly recommend !

Today we had a short hike (only 13 miles, ha) over relatively flat terrain that took us from Najera to Santo Domingo de Calzada. As is becoming the normal expectation, the hike was beautiful. Today’s post will be dedicated to “Pilgrims, Scallop shells, and arrows.” These are all recurrent symbols what are guiding our way to Santiago de Compostella (our final destination). I will include some very distilled information on some of the historical significance and history of El Camino. Then look at all the symbols we encounter everyday along the way. Finally take a look at the pictures from a cathedral with chickens in it . . . yes, I said chickens! Be sure to look at the “El Camino: Scenic Photos” section to see some of the amazing views, which I will not include in this post.

El Camino: Fun Facts

More information on El Camino can be found on the official website here. For a quick synopsis of El Camino go here.

  • Pilgrims have been traveling “The Way of St. James” for 1200 years ever since the discovery of the tomb of “St. James the Greater” in 820 CE in what is now known as “Santiago de Compostella”
  • The “Codex Calixtinus” is a five-volume liturgical document published sometime in the 12th century. Some would say it is the “original guidebook”
  • One symbol from modern times (1984 and onwards) is a yellow arrow, rather simple, but effective for guiding pilgrims along El Camino
  • The “scallop shell” is another symbol that can guide pilgrims, it is incorporated in many signs/signposts and many cities prepare medallions to adorn streets and buildings
  • Also, statues of “pilgrims” from modern times and ancient times can be seen at many points along the way
  • “Pilgrims” were ancient travelers that went along El Camino for religious salvation, modern day “Pilgrims” are anyone who travels El Camino regardless of reason.

El Camino means “The Way” in English as I have told you many times. It’s incredible how many times we have used this phrase on our journey. We keep saying/asking “Is this the way?” “Which way now?” That’s the way!” “This way!” “The way is over there!” “This is the way!” and on, and on. So without further ado, let me show you a number of symbols for El Camino! Enjoy!

The simple painted arrow and scallop shell!

Another clear marking to guide you!

Some markings are old
Some markings are even older . . .

Can you spot “The Way” to go?

Signs come in all shapes and sizes

Some are faded and hard to see, but usually there are a bunch of signs/arrows clustered in one area. We’ve only wandered off El Camino one time

These dogs know “The Way”

Some locals will adorn their walls with tiles or decorations also helping to show “The Way”

Tile with arrow

More tiles . . .

Big arrow!

Notice the “taxi” advertisements on the sign . . . ha ha

Pilgrim sculpture!

Another Pilgrim . . .

Very old Pilgrim statue

Shells are everywhere

Even on this door handle!

Seen enough symbols? Okay, well, as promised here is the cathedral with chickens in it!

Catedral de Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Chickens have a special seat in the cathedral. I was expecting them to be running all around . . . one can dream, right?

Okay, until tomorrow!

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