The 2021 Holy Year in Santiago de Compostela and on the Camino de Santiago will undoubtedly be greatly affected by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. With the situation changing frequently, it’s impossible to predict 2021 pilgrim numbers with certainty or to know which safety and security measures that impact the camino will be in place. ThisContinue reading “How Will The Coronavirus Pandemic Affect Santiago Holy Year 2021?”
Author Archives: Nick Leonard
How a Pandemic Camino is Different
As with almost everything else around the globe, the Camino de Santiago has been greatly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The pilgrimage ground to a halt when Europe went into lockdown in spring 2020, but as Spain began to reopen in June and July, it became possible to walk the camino again. Being residents inContinue reading “How a Pandemic Camino is Different”
Best Starting Points for the Camino Francés
For many pilgrims, the Camino Francés, or French Way, is the Camino de Santiago. In 2019, more than half the pilgrims who walked the camino and received a compostela walked the Camino Francés, despite the existence of many other routes. If you’re thinking about walking the Camino Francés but don’t know where to begin –Continue reading “Best Starting Points for the Camino Francés”
‘Always in All Things Changeable’: The Emperor and His Tomb
His camino took him all over his empire from his birthplace on what became the Vía de la Plata (Itálica) to Rome, Jerusalem and beyond. In life – and in death – the Roman emperor Hadrian was a fascinating figure. This article was originally published at Following Hadrian. The emperor of Rome, ‘god and Panhellene,’1DescribedContinue reading “‘Always in All Things Changeable’: The Emperor and His Tomb”
Travels in Orange Lands
Orange trees are ubiquitous in southern Spain and Portugal. But the story of how the fruit arrived in the lands of the Camino de Santiago – and why it’s called what it is in many languages – might surprise you. This story was originally published on Medium. Marrakesh, Morocco The Djemaa el-Fna, the enchanting squareContinue reading “Travels in Orange Lands”
The Muslim City of Lisbon
Despite being one of the starting points for the Camino de Santiago, Lisbon’s past – and present – shows a religious influence beyond Christianity. This story was originally published on Medium. Every year on Fat Tuesday, dozens of people line up in Praça de Espanha on the periphery of central Lisbon, waiting for one ofContinue reading “The Muslim City of Lisbon”