Without doubts, no one needs a prize to walk the Camino de Santiago. The reward is to reach the destination, to live an experience that can probably change you inside.

Nevertheless, to obtain the pilgrimage certificate can be also a beautiful way to finish this trip. Today, in this new post of Living The Camino, we will explain you what is the Compostela, and how to gain it.

The origin of the Compostela

With the discovery of St. James grove, the pilgrimage became a very important tradition. Apart from this, for many people was also a way to obtain social recognition and that is why the Catholic Church decided to establish a system to recognize real pilgrims.

But why? Because, as you probably know, in that moment and nowadays, there are some hostels for pilgrims promoted and supported by pilgrims.

In the Middles Ages, there were also hospitals and canteens where pilgrims could find attention and meals free. As long as laws are made to be broken, also appeared the necessity to invent a certification system to recognize the real pilgrims than the other ones, who just wanted to take advantage of the sanitary and charitable system.



What is the Compostela, nowadays

Also known as the Credential or pilgrim accreditation, is a document submitted to the pilgrims that fulfill the Camino.

Today there is an official credential model accepted by the Santiago’s Diocesan Office for pilgrimages.

