The Path of Saint Jacob Sep 28, 2009
Included in the World Heritage List in 1993. This path starts and the border of France and Spain, many generations of pilgrims have passed it on the way to Santiago de Compostela, and their flow does not stop until this day. Ever since it has been discovered, The Tomb of Apostle Jacob in Compostela became a symbolic place for the whole Christian world.
The town itself – Santiago de Compostela, has been attracting pilgrims from all the corners of the earth. There is a path, lighted by the stars of the Milky Way, it is believed to cleanse the soul and show forgiveness of all sins for those who dare walk by it. Emperor Carl the Great is considered the pioneer of the Saint Jacob's Path. And, until this day he is considered one the most important figures in the history of Christianity, as well as a symbol of Christian faith among all social classes and all corners of Europe.
In addition to spiritual significance – Saint Jacob's Path was added to the World Heritage List, it played an important role in the history of the Western Civilization, and thus presents significant historic value. During the Middle Ages Saint Jacob's Paths acted as a channel for creating cultural relationships between the Iberian peninsula and other European countries. Pilgrims came from Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Great Britain, Turkey, and other countries. They would all arrive in one place in France, in order to start the journey towards Galicia. The stream of pilgrim becomes stronger during anniversary years. Whenever Saint Jacob's Day (25th of July) falls on a Sunday the year is considered an anniversary year.
Next year, 2010, will become an anniversary year, and by the decision of the Council of Europe, Saint Jacob's Path will be named the First European Cultural Route. Along this route there are over 1800 monuments, some of the religion related, others are civil architecture, but in each case presenting great historic value. One of the most popular routes leading to Apostle Jacob is the so called French Royal route, which starts in the Navarrese Pyrenees and connects the routes from Limoges and Le Puy, and the part of the Turkish route which goes through the inner regions of the peninsula, rather than along the coast: through La Rioja and Castilia y Lyon.
The Northern Path (a.k.a. the High Path) also presents considerable interest, as it passes through Bask Country, Canterbury, and Asturias.
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