Santiago El Camino

About the Camino

The Camino de Santiago, known in English as the Way of Saint James among other names,is a network of pilgrims' ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried.Many follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth.

scallops on the st. james markers

The scallop shell, often found on the shores in Galicia, has long been the symbol of the Camino de Santiago.As the symbol of the Camino de Santiago, the shell is seen very frequently along the trails. The shell is seen on posts and signs along the Camino in order to guide pilgrims along the way.

scallops on the hikers

The shell is even more commonly seen on the pilgrims themselves. Wearing a shell denotes that one is a traveler on the Camino de Santiago. Most pilgrims receive a shell at the beginning of their journey and either attach it to them by sewing it onto their clothes or wearing it around their neck or by simply keeping it in, or attached to the outside of, their backpack.