The Pilgrim’s Albergue of Areias, in Ferreira do Zêzere, officially opened its doors on February 14, in a ceremony presided over by the Mayor of Ferreira do Zêzere, Bruno Gomes, accompanied by the vice-mayor and other members of the local government. The key to the new Albergue was formally handed over to Sónia Santos, the concessionaire and new manager of the establishment. Eight months after the inauguration of the refurbishment works, which transformed the old Primary School of Areias into a welcoming facility, with an investment of 120,000 euros, the Albergue is finally ready to welcome...

The installation of standardised signage and information along the Leon de Rosmithal Route is expected to take place this year, ensuring that this route meets the same conditions as other recognised Jacobean itineraries. The topic was discussed in a meeting of the technical team responsible for the route, led by the technicians from Póvoa de Lanhoso Municipality, archaeologist Orlando Fernandes and cultural coordinator Francisco Machado. Currently, this route does not have physical signage, requiring the use of GPS maps and digital information for navigation. Despite this, around 80 pilgrims...

The municipalities of Alvaiázere and Ansião are implementing several initiatives to qualify the territory for outdoor sports activities and enhance the natural heritage, with the aim of boosting tourism. Within the framework of the intermunicipal project “Sicó Outdoor Center”, the main interventions focus on improving the Camino de Santiago, one of the region’s key tourist assets. Along the Camino route, the existing signage is being reviewed and reinforced with the installation of new informational panels aimed at the thousands of pilgrims who pass through both municipalities...

Around two dozen volunteers dedicated themselves to cleaning and marking the Portuguese Coastal Route in the municipality of Esposende, in an initiative organised by Via Veteris – Jacobean Association of the Ways of Esposende, with the support of the Municipality and the municipal company Esposende Ambiente. The initiative took place in two stages, carried out on the 4th of January, along the route between Apúlia and Esposende, and on the 11th of January, on the section linking Esposende to Antas. During the work, the volunteers cleaned the trails, removed invasive species and debris,...

The project “Flourishing Camino de Santiago: Exploring Biodiversity in Correlhã” was one of the winners of the latest edition of the Participatory Budget of Ponte de Lima, in the area of Sustainable Development. Proposed by José Manuel Gonçalves Negrão, the project has received funding of 10,000 euros from the local government to beautify the section of the Camino de Santiago between Correlhã and the historic center of Ponte de Lima. Ponte de Lima plays a prominent role in the pilgrimage routes, integrating the paths traveled by pilgrims coming from the south, passing through Porto,...

At the end of 2024, the American association American Pilgrims on the Camino conducted a Zoom interview with Canon D. Vitor Suárez Gondar of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to discuss various topics related to the Camino. This interview is available on the association’s YouTube channel here. Founded in 1994, American Pilgrims on the Camino is dedicated to promoting the Camino de Santiago experience by supporting pilgrims, funding infrastructure projects, and collaborating directly with hostels on official routes. During the conversation, the canon mentioned that it would no longer...

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...