Early Camino de Santiago history

The Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrimage routes leading to the shrine of Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Its early history traces back to the 9th century and is rooted in Christian tradition, evolving into one of the most significant pilgrimage routes in medieval Europe.

- Discovery of the Tomb (c. 813–820): The pilgrimage began after the reported discovery of the tomb of Saint James, one of Jesus’ apostles, in Galicia. According to legend, a hermit named Pelayo saw a star guiding him to the site, which was confirmed by Bishop Theodomir of Iria Flavia. This event, known as the "Inventio," sparked the establishment of a church and the beginnings of pilgrimage.

- Early Development (9th–10th Century): King Alfonso II of Asturias is credited with making one of the first recorded pilgrimages to the site, establishing the "Primitive Way" route from Oviedo. The growing cult of Saint James was supported by the Asturian monarchy, which promoted the site as a Christian rallying point during the Reconquista, the Christian reconquest of Spain from Muslim rule. The shrine gained prominence as a symbol of Christian identity.

- Codex Calixtinus and Growth (11th–12th Century): By the 11th century, the pilgrimage flourished as European Christianity expanded. The Codex Calixtinus, a 12th-century manuscript attributed to Pope Callixtus II, served as a guidebook for pilgrims, detailing routes, relics, and miracles. The French Way (Camino Francés) became the most popular route, with infrastructure like churches, monasteries, and hospitals built to support pilgrims. Cluniac monks and the Kingdom of León played key roles in organizing and promoting the Camino.

- Peak of Pilgrimage (12th–13th Century): The Camino reached its medieval peak, attracting pilgrims from across Europe, including kings, nobles, and commoners. Santiago de Compostela became one of the three major Christian pilgrimage destinations, alongside Jerusalem and Rome. The pilgrimage was both a spiritual journey and a cultural exchange, fostering trade, art, and the spread of Romanesque architecture.

- Challenges and Decline (14th Century Onward): The Black Death, political instability, and the Protestant Reformation reduced pilgrimage numbers by the late Middle Ages. However, the Camino never fully disappeared, and local devotion to Saint James persisted.

The early Camino was shaped by religious fervor, political motivations, and cultural exchange, laying the foundation for its enduring legacy as a spiritual and historical route.