Santiago de Compostela, the oldest in the northwestern tip of Spain, is the third largest Catholic city after Jerusalem and the Vatican. Many Catholics try to make a pilgrimage once in their lives. The city was established in the 10th century. The narrow stone-slab ancient streets and the square surrounded by columns have been preserved so far and have been designated as a world cultural heritage by the United Nations.
The pilgrimage destination is one of the oldest and grandest cathedrals in Spain. The original site was an ancient church built in AD 889, where the remains of St. James, a hero who fought against the pagans, were buried. Rebuilt in 1074 AD as a Baroque-Romanesque cathedral, it was designated as a pilgrimage site by the Pope in the twelfth century, and pilgrims continue to flock to this day.
The method of pilgrimage has not changed since ancient times. You must travel long distances along the pilgrimage route (Camino de Santiago), starting from places such as Paris or Arles, eating and sleeping, and walking for several months. Passport stamped by more than 30 churches along the way, and finally get the pilgrimage certificate at the Office of Pilgrimage (Ofici-na de Peregrinos) in Santiago. The emblem of the pilgrimage is a scallop, a symbol of "rebirth". Up to now, there are still some countries in Europe, such as the Netherlands and Belgium, which legally stipulate that the fixed-term imprisonment imposed by some juvenile courts can be offset by the pilgrimage to Santiago, which is very meaningful.
Entering the pilgrimage of Santiago Cathedral, there is also a set of rituals: the lower end of the central stone pillar of the cathedral is the statue of St. James. The pilgrim first presses the stone pillar with his right hand, and presses St. James' right ear with his left hand, then kneels down and stretches his arms into St. James. The deep holes curved on both sides of the shoulders, make the closest hug with the saint, and finally go around the back of the column and touch the forehead with another statue of St. James.
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