The Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James) is Europe's ultimate pilgrimage route.  For more than a thousand years Christian pilgrims have trodden hundreds of miles across northern Spain to pay homage to the remains of St. James in his namesake city, Santiago de Compostela.  Today it's more than the deeply religious that take to the trail.  Hikers, cyclists and even horseback riders come by the thousands to say they have conquered the trail.  Some do it alone, some as couples and many in guided groups but however they come, they are all elated when they arrive at the end of their journey and stand in front of Santiago Cathedral.  The most common route is a 500 mile (805 km) trek that takes about a month if you are walking, about two weeks cycling and who knows how long if you are riding a horse.  Rita and I are driving in a car and will do it in a relaxed 5 days, so we do not count as travelers of the Camino.  We are also not suffering as we are staying in probably the best hotel in Santiago, The Parrador's Santiago Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos  (Host of the Catholic Kings).  The hotel was built as a hospital in 1532 from funds supplied by the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella after they completed their own pilgrimage.  When they arrived in Santiago they observed many pilgrims who required medical treatment after completing their arduous pilgrimage.  It is located next to the Cathedral as this is where the pilgrims gathered.  The Dictator Franco stayed at the hospital and decided in 1952 to turn it over to the Paradores Hotel Chain (which is government owned) and have them renovate it and turn it into a first class hotel.  However, they still allow anyone to enter into the lobby area and use the washrooms.  They even give the first 10 pilgrims to arrive each day at the Cathedral a free meal.  They used to let these people eat with the hotel guests in the restaurant until the paying clientele complained of the stink coming from the pilgrims.  They now have their own room next to the staff cafeteria.

The front of the Parador Santiago Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos (Host of the Catholic Kings) Hotel

The very impressive Planteresque front door facade dates from the 16th century

One of four courtyards within the interior of the hotel.  The fountain dates from the 16th century

Rita sitting on one of the sofas on our floors hallway looking out at one of the courtyards

An intricate 16th century motif surrounds each courtyard stairway into the rooms of the hotel