Camino de Santiago: the History and Mythology

In the last episode I talked about my experience of walking the Camino this summer but this time I wanted to explore the legends, myths and fascinating cultural backdrop behind the birth of the Camino and how it has changed throughout the centuries.
You can watch the previous episode here: • Camino de Santiago: Wh...
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⌛ Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:33 A Medieval Institution
2:46 Many Routes
5:54 The Legend of Saint James
9:51 The Islamic Backdrop
11:49 Santiago Matamoros
15:44 The Renaissance of the Camino

[@searchingfortruth4783]

Fantastic video. I just returned from Camino myself; an truly life affirming journey. Thanks for your thoughts and insights.

[@jorgeblanco1929]

Wow, my family is from Leon and I’ve never heard about this! Definitely adding this to the bucket list haha

[@bduffy1215]

That was fantastic James! The Camino is truly a magical and beautiful experience.

[@TheLivingPhilosophy]

Thanks Bill. Couldn't agree more!

[@maxzoe948]

Excellent video! Would love to see more history videos from you.

[@thebrocialist8300]

Excellent presentation! Thank you

[@Theordinarytraveler]

Finally, I'm glad hear camino story from you. ^^

[@TheLivingPhilosophy]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@carollima7579]

Thanks for such an amazing video! I am doing the Camino now and this gave me so much insight on it!

[@TheLivingPhilosophy]

Ah I'm delighted to hear it Carol I'm envious! Whereabouts are you?

[@freeda4100]

Love this story. Thanks 🙏

[@dlloydy5356]

Great stuff. Very interesting history & description. Nice 👍

[@TheLivingPhilosophy]

Thanks Danny glad you enjoyed it!

[@ziyaziya9531]

meaningful journey and experience

[@Masturbation65]

I had El Camino de Santiago trip set-up several years ago ... We were going to take one of the French paths, I practiced some French for before the crossing into Spain. We speak Spanish already.
We had the pilgrimage passport, etc. Then, as we were a month away from leaving, a new virus was spreading, and everything started shutting down, and I was in an epicenter City. We all know what happened after that.
I hope to go one day, but I suppose that just wasn't the time. We also had a path to the Finesterre, as you've explained, to practice the burning tradition, and go back to fly out.

[@byrnosonfire7431]

Great video James! I'm doing research on the Camino as part of my University course at the moment. Can I ask, what sort of sources did you use to get all this information? Any help would be great, thanks!

[@robkunkel8833]

🐚The Camino has been an obsession for me since I first read about the James story. My main concern was from the perspective of the Sephardic Jew escaping from Spain & Portugal in the 1300s-1600s. I teach this topic in a Synagogue Tour.
After seeing your video, it is more likely that the Celtic route to the North would be a better escape route. It would be good for me to actually walk it, rather than watching videos. Maybe someday. My background is closer to water and boats, anyway. My age and vulnerability works against me, though. So I’ll subscribe and watch more videos, for now.
Your video was very useful, articulate and not biased by the myth sides of it. I’ll think of you every July 25th, the StJames Feast Day. RobK in the USVI, St. Thomas.🇻🇮🌴

[@PipinhoSnow]

ok

[@harrykey2448]

8I've just watched your video which I enjoyed except for one very important aspect.
You point out the importance of the Camino Frances but you don't explain the significance of its name.
It's not called the Frances merely because it starts in St Jean Pied de Port, which I guess is what most people assume.
The reason is much more profound than that.
It was the French Catholics who turned the Camino de Santiago into the massive pilgrimage it became.
Hundreds of thousands of French pilgrims made their way to Santiago each year
The French developed the infrastructure, much of which remains today.
They built the magnificent cathedrals in the French style along the way.
The French influence is to be found right along the route in many of the ancient buildings.
Two towns owe their existence to the French.
Villafranca Montes de Oca and Villafranca del Bierzo.
Villafranca means French town.
In medieval times four routes through France converged on what we now refer to as the Camino Frances at St Jean Pied de Port and at Obanos.
The four routes in France started in Paris, Vezelay, Le Puy and Arles.
These routes were said to be the Four Roads To Heaven.
There is a really good book of the same name, written by Edwin Mullins, that I can recommend.
It is influenced by the 12th century Pilgrims Guide for the Camino de Santiago written by Benedictine monks...said to be the first ever guidebook.