Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

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The Credencial

The credencial is a pass which allows overnight accommodation in refugios. Also known as the "Pilgrim's passport", the credencial is stamped with the official stamp of each refugio at which the pilgrim has stayed. It provides the pilgrim with a complete record of where he slept each night of his journey. The credencial is available at refugios, tourist offices, and some local parish houses. It costs about three Euros.

The Compostela

Pilgrims arriving in Santiago de Compostela who have walked at least the last 100km, or cycled the last 200km to get there (as indicated on their credencial), are eligible for a certificate called the Compostela from the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago. The last 100 or 200 km must be completed as one journey so if you are splitting your camino over many seperate weeks be sure to complete the last section as one to be eligible for the Compostela. In medieval Catholicism, the "Compostela" counted as an act of indulgence. The bearer was entitled to a reduction by half of their time in purgatory, or, if the Compostela was obtained in a Holy Year, a full indulgence.

The Compostela is issued to those whose motivation is religious or spiritual a different certificate is provided for those who complete the Camino for cultural or touristic reasons.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Way_of_St._James

The Fisterrana

A certificate offered to those who have walked the route from Santiago (to Fisterra), available from the refuge in Finisterre. A similar certificate is obtainable (ask in tourist office) for those who walk to Muxía.

Source: http://www.csj.org.uk/route-finisterre.htm

See: http://perso.orange.fr/gerard-du-camino ... plomes.htm

See: http://www.archicompostela.org/Peregrin ... ela%20.htm