Camino de Santiago boasts “one of the highest safety levels in all of Spain”

These are the words of Nicanor Sen, Government Delegate in Castilla y León, during the 6th Course on Safety on the Jacobean Routes, held in León. Sen emphasized the need to continue coordinating actions to ensure the safety of pilgrims, highlighting that the route is a global reference point, welcoming visitors from 170 nationalities every year.

The course, attended by over 50 security agents and law enforcement personnel, focused on protecting pilgrims. Sen stressed the importance of the Camino in the region of Castilla y León, which has the longest stretch of the route in Spain, and mentioned the Government’s investment, through Next Generation Funds, to maintain high safety standards given the Camino’s cultural, economic, and tourist significance.

The course is part of the “21st Century Camino” project by the Ministry of Industry, encompassing three main areas: information, digitalization, and training. The training addressed safety coordination, which requires specific measures due to the diversity of the route.

Miguel Pérez, president of the French Camino Federation, praised the involvement of security forces such as the Guardia Civil and the Policía Nacional (civil guard and national police) in protecting the Camino. However, he highlighted the need for a coordinated approach and greater sensitivity towards pilgrims. During the course, practical issues such as safety at hazardous crossings were discussed, particularly in areas with high numbers of pilgrims, such as Foncebadón, which sees around 70,000 people annually.

Pérez emphasized that the course aims to raise awareness among participants about the importance of treating pilgrims with generosity and ensuring their safety along the route.

Source: Leonoticias