The Compostela

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The Compostela is a document, issued by the ecclesiastical authorities, certifying the completion of at least 100 kilometres covered on foot or on horseback (200km if done by bike) of the Camino of Santiago. The Compostela is issued to all those pilgrims who have had the Credential stamped and thus, have demonstrated their passage along the Camino, on a journey undertaken for religious or spiritual reason – even for self searching purposes – passing through the various enclaves of one of the many pilgrimage routes (all of which are considered as valid). Those who have completed the Camino for other reasons (leisure, sports etc…) can apply to receive another certificate upon reaching Santiago, known as the Pilgrim’s Certificate.

In the initial stages, when pilgrimages to the tomb of St. James began to become popular and as a consequence institutionalized, the need to prove having completed the Camino arose. The Compostela as it is known today preceded the original scallop shell insignia which, being easily falsifiable, was replaced by the so-called letters of proof, the current source of official certification.

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In the XVI century, the Catholic Monarchs constructed the Royal Hospital Foundation, which allowed for Pilgrims, with the Compostela to stay, free of charge for three days staying in the building now occupied by the iconic Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. The foundation was dedicated to providing healthcare to the walkers who came to Compostela, the hospital became the most important in Galicia and eventually the headquarters for the Medical School of Santiago. The building reopened in 1954 as a Parador of tourism, a place, true to the tradition that marks its history, which even now continues to provide free meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner to the first ten day pilgrims of each day who can identify themselves with the Compostela.

Over the years, the Camino of Santiago has become increasingly popular. Tides of pilgrims began to arrive from all corners of the world and with this fervour, fraud and misrepresentation also multiplied and created a fear within the Church that Walkers, instead of considering the Camino to be a sacrifice for forgiveness of their sins would see it as a fun adventure, leaving aside all spiritual motivations. For this reason the Archbishopric of Santiago decided to establish certain requirements for achieving Compostela. Limiting the granting of the certificate only to those pilgrims who came to the tomb of the Apostle for religious reasons, following the routes on foot, by bicycle or on horseback and not granting it to those who had failed to complete the last 100 kilometres, if done on foot or horseback and, if by bike, the last 200km.

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Necessary Distance
 

Both walkers and cyclists have expressed doubts regarding the exact point at which they become eligible to receive the Compostela. The Pilgrim’s office has clarified that, for those going on foot the minimum distance required to obtain the certificate, in the case of the French Way, would be from Sarria or Barbadelo, for the English Way, from Ferrol or Neda, in the case of the Northern Way, from Vilalba or Baamonde, for the Primitive way, from Lugo, and, on the silver route, from Ourense. In addition, those walkers who do the Camino of Finisterre – Muxia and, cover the first stage of the route that connects the two costal locations to then complete the remaining stages to Santiago are also entitled to the Compostela. In this way they would also cover the 100 kilometres necessary.
 

For cyclists doing the French Camino the minimum needed to obtain the certificate (200 kilometres) involves starting in Ponferrada, for those doing the Portuguese Camino, Póvoa de Varzim, for the Northern Route, Tapia de Casariego, for those reaching Santiago on the Primitivo way, Grandes de Salime and, for those doing the silver route, A Gudiña (it is the only case from which cyclists can start in Galicia).
 

Requirements to obtain the Compostela
 

The text which includes the Compostela, an illustrated document with characteristic features such as its oak leaf border and scallop shells in which is the Latin name of the pilgrim is written, reads as follows: ” The Chapter of this Holy Apostolic Metropolitan Cathedral of Compostela, custodian of the seal of the altar of St. James the Apostles altar, to all faithful and pilgrims who come from all over the world as an act of devotion, under vow or promise to the Apostles Tomb, our Patron and Protector of Spain, witness in the sight of all who read this document that:(name of the pilgrim) has visited devoutly this sacred temple in a religious sense (pietatis causa). In faith I hand over this document endorsed with the seal of this sacred Church.” The certificate is then signed by the Chapter Secretary of the Church of Compostela.
 

Once the pilgrim arrives in Santiago they can collect the Compostela near to Obradoiro square, in the Pilgrim Office, located in Carretas, 33 (981568846). Any person, including a minor, can collect this document provided that they are accompanied by a parent or in a group and have the ability to understand spiritual or religious nature of the Way. In the case, according to the Pilgrim Office, of not being “sufficiently mature” they are granted a special certificate attesting their names that they have completed the steps of their chosen route. To certify the pilgrimage of infants or very young children normally their names are included on the Compostela of their parents or, the adult who accompanied them.

The opening hours of the Pilgrim Office are, in Easter week and from the 1st  of April until the 31st of October, Monday to Sunday from 8.00 to 21.00. In winter (from November the 1st to 31st of October) it opens every day from 10.00 to 19.00. The office is closed on December 25th and January 1st. Hikers arriving on those days to Santiago can receive the Compostela in the sacristy of the Cathedral.