Via Lusitana continues to take steps to make the Camino de Santiago more accessible to everyone. Our website is now available in both Portuguese and English, addressing the growing demand from international pilgrims who choose the Jacobean routes in Portugal as part of their journeys. The inclusion of the English language is an important milestone that reflects Via Lusitana’s commitment to welcoming pilgrims from all over the world. This update enables more users from various nationalities to access essential information without language barriers. With this new feature, we hope to strengthen...

The IV Conference “Pelos Caminhos de Santiago” will take place on December 14th, at the Monastery of Grijó, with free entry. Organized by the Confraria de Santiago, from the São Salvador de Grijó parish, the conference will feature a series of debates and moments of sharing experiences about the spiritual and cultural journey of this major pilgrimage destination. The event will begin at 2:00 PM with the reception of participants, followed by a presentation at 2:40 PM by cartoonist Pedro Silva. Throughout the afternoon, topics such as the history and evolution of the Caminos de Santiago,...

The International Conference “O Caminho que nos une” (The Camino that unites us), dedicated to the Caminos de Santiago, will take place tomorrow, December 11th, at the Barcelos municipal auditorium. Organized by Tourism of Porto and North (TPNP), in partnership with Turismo de Galicia and the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (AECT) of the Galicia-North of Portugal Euroregion, the event will be attended by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Pedro Machado and will bring together experts, managers, promoters, and enthusiasts to discuss the future of this important historical...

On December 5, 2024, at 9:00 PM, the exhibition venue Passado, Presente & Futuro (Past, Present & Future), in Felgueiras, will open the temporary exhibition “Ecos do Caminho de Santiago” (“Echoes of the Camino de Santiago”), a creation by sculptor Vítor Machado. This exhibition, which will run until March 5, 2025, blends contemporary art with tradition, celebrating the essence and cultural and spiritual legacy of the Camino. The exhibition features sculptures that evoke the moments and emotions experienced by pilgrims on their journey to Santiago de Compostela....

On December 2, 2024, the Albergue Municipal de Peregrinos do Apeadeiro (Pilgrim’s Municipal Halt Albergue) was inaugurated. Located at the former Couto de Cucujães Train Station, on the Vouga line, this newly restored facility offers comfort and convenience to pilgrims traveling along the Caminos de Santiago and the route to Fátima as they pass through the parish of Cucujães, in the municipality of Oliveira de Azeméis. With a capacity for 12 people across two floors, the albergue features amenities that allow pilgrims to rest and recover after the challenges of the journey. The facility...

Xunta of Galicia has just jointly awarded the XXIV edition of the Elías Valiña Prizeto the Breton Association of Friends of Santiago Compostelle Bretagne and the Fundación San Antón, recognizing their contributions to the revitalization and promotion of the Camino de Santiago. The official announcement was published today (December 2, 2024) in the  Diário Oficial da Galiza highlighting these two organizations as the top-ranked candidates. The award, promoted by the Consellería de Cultura, Lingua e Xuventude of the Xunta de Galicia, comes with a prize of €15,000 and is aimed at nonprofit organizations...

Every year, thousands of pilgrims travel the Camino de Santiago with the goal of reaching the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Despite its growing popularity, this route still presents significant challenges for people with disabilities. To address these difficulties, the project “InCASA – Inclusive Camino de Santiago: An accessible journey for all” was launched. Coordinated by the University of Burgos in Spain, it involves various institutions from countries such as Portugal, Spain, Poland, Slovenia, and Romania. Atlântica – Instituto Universitário (an universitary institute)...

Among the many stories that enrich the folklore of the Camino de Santiago, this Portuguese Jacobean legend of knight Cayo, inspired by the Aurea Legend, stands out as an example of devotion, mystery, and the connection between the sacred and the earthly, despite the different variations and interpretations that have emerged over the centuries. The origin of the legend dates back to 44 AC, when the body of Santiago was transported from Palestine to Galicia. Santiago had begun the conversion of the Iberian Peninsula to Christianity, but upon returning to Judea, he was beheaded. His disciples then...

The Confraria dos Caminhos is organizing the first session of “Conversations on the Camino” on November 25, at 6:00 PM, at the Museum of Sacred Art of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Castelo Branco (Graça’s Convent). This event is free and open to everyone interested in the Camino de Santiago, pilgrimages, or simply the joy of walking, promising to be a moment of reflection, sharing, and inspiration. The initiative will feature two speakers: Father Nuno Folgado, who will present the theme “Apostle Santiago Maior: who was he?”, exploring key moments in the life of the saint and the significance...

The Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino in Santiago de Compostela will pay tribute to Elías Valiña, marking the 35th anniversary of his passing. The event will take place on December 11 at 11:00 AM at Rúa das Carretas, 33. This tribute celebrates the life and legacy of one of the greatest advocates of the Camino de Santiago. As part of the event, a sculpture of Elías Valiña, created by Oscar Aldonza, will be unveiled. Attendees can also enjoy a live streaming of the podcast La Flecha Amarilla (The Yellow Arrow) and a musical performance, Músicas en el Camino, featuring Moisés Quintas and Aser Álvarez....

The exhibition “Não passes pelo Caminho… deixa antes que o Caminho passe por ti” (Don’t just walk the Camino… Let the Camino walk through you), installed at the Fátima Tourism Office, has been extended until November 30 following an overwhelmingly positive reception from tourists and pilgrims of the Caminos de Santiago and Fátima. Organized in partnership by the Associação Espaço Jacobeus (AEJ), Tourism of Central Portugal, and the Ourém Municipality, the exhibition features a diverse collection: photographs of Santiago routes, Jacobean tradition objects, statues of Santiago, handcrafted items,...

The Camino de Santiago is experiencing an impressive number of pilgrims in 2024, surpassing 447,000 by the end of October, with a 12% increase compared to the previous year. Local authorities estimate that the total could reach half a million pilgrims by the end of the year. Among the routes contributing to this growth, the Geira and Arrieiros route stands out, attracting more pilgrims and solidifying Braga as an increasingly popular starting point for this pilgrimage. The Oficina del Peregrino at the Santiago Cathedral reported that, this year alone, over 1,067 people started their Camino in...