Arriving in SdC, an entirely superfluous post

[pepi]

I apologize for this completely theoretical, superfluous post, take it with a pinch of humor.
I must admit that this question has preoccupied me every time, from the completion of my second Camino to the sixth this year:
If, after crossing the motorway bridge, I reach the city limits of Santiago and have thus "walked the last 100 km", has the requirement for the Compostela been met? In other words: What might prevent me from taking the waiting bus on the right side of the road to ride to the Plaza del Obradoiro?
Of course, I wouldn't do that, but the question crosses my mind every time I walk that last long and not-so-exciting stretch into the center.

What's our expert's opinion on this?

 

[JabbaPapa]

It's the last 100K to the tomb of the Apostle, not to the city limits, and so you will have failed to do that ; and therefore will have disqualified yourself for a Compostela.

 

[Bradypus]

Close but no cigar - or Compostela either!

 

[henrythedog]

I apologize for this completely theoretical, superfluous post, take it with a pinch of humor.
I must admit that this question has preoccupied me every time, from the completion of my second Camino to the sixth this year:
If, after crossing the motorway bridge, I reach the city limits of Santiago and have thus "walked the last 100 km", has the requirement for the Compostela been met? In other words: What might prevent me from taking the waiting bus on the right side of the road to ride to the Plaza del Obradoiro?
Of course, I wouldn't do that, but the question crosses my mind every time I walk that last long and not-so-exciting stretch into the center.

What's our expert's opinion on this?

Well you’ve come to the right place for ‘number of angels on the head of a pin’ discussion.

Whilst we’re waiting for an expert …

My interpretation would be that the end-point the church authorities would have in mind would be the purported resting place of St James; but I’m sure they haven’t got cameras up on the city limits and you wouldn’t be the first to patronise the local taxi and bus operators within 100km of Santiago.

(A few seconds later: I defer to the greater expertise of those who were typing whilst I was)

 

[pepi]

Thanks, I somehow thought so. Now answered so consisely, this question will no longer be crawling into my exhausted mind...

 

[JabbaPapa]

There is actually a more interesting technicality, in that you don't actually have to go down to visit the reliquary itself, but just visit inside the Cathedral, which is to say the Altar and the Episcopal See (the Bishop's Throne placed by the Altar).

I have my latest Compostela with me, and it states that you will have visited "ad Limina" to the "sacratissimum templum" and so on, and Ad Limina means to the threshold, not to the relics themselves. So that Bishops making their Ad Limina visits to the Holy See don't actually need to make physical visitation to the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, but only to the Basilica that is at the threshold of those tombs.

Similarly, pilgrims visiting the tomb of the Apostle Saint James Ad Limina.

 

[pepi]

There is actually a more interesting technicality, in that you don't actually have to go down to visit the reliquary itself, but just visit inside the Cathedral, which is to say the Altar and the Episcopal See (the Bishop's Throne placed by the Altar).

I have my latest Compostela with me, and it states that you will have visited "ad Limina" to the "sacratissimum templum" and so on, and Ad Limina means to the threshold, not to the relics themselves. So that Bishops making their Ad Limina visits to the Holy See don't actually need to make physical visitation to the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, but only to the Basilica that is at the threshold of those tombs.

Similarly, pilgrims visiting the tomb of the Apostle Saint James Ad Limina.

"...you will have v-i-s-i-t-e-d "ad limina"....", would that technically not leave it open, how that last stretch after having crossed the SdC city border is accomplished?
Give me hope

 

[JabbaPapa]

"...you will have v-i-s-i-t-e-d "ad limina"....", would that technically not leave it open, how that last stretch after having crossed the SdC city border is accomplished?
Give me hope

LOL but no, it's a specific term in Church Law, referring to the sacred limits of the Sanctuary in question.

Nice try though.

 

[pepi]

oh well...
@ Bradypus: But next time I will have that cigar "ad limina", thanks for the tip

 

[JabbaPapa]

LOL I have just found a mistake in the Latin of my Compostela.

It is signed José Fernandez Lago - - except that it should be : Joseph/Ioseph/Josephus/Iosephus.

All are OK, but the ones beginning I are better. As to the é, it's right out, no such accents exist in Latin.

 

[flewitheagles]

At some point, as in many discussions, I believe I've now gotten too much information... I think I'll just go back to my cave and prepare for my next pilgrimage. Once again, I'll prepare with my journey in mind and let my friends continue in preparing for their journey. Would someone hand me my cigar, please?

 

[natefaith]

Very interesting discussion, everyone. That last stretch of city into the Cathedral can seem to take forever, for Camino first-timers and for veterans. Plus there's a good bit of uphill climb so it's understandable that grabbing a bus by the side of the road is an attractive option sometimes. I'm very tempted myself half the time, walking in to work in the rain.

 

[isawtman]

Very interesting discussion, everyone. That last stretch of city into the Cathedral can seem to take forever, for Camino first-timers and for veterans. Plus there's a good bit of uphill climb so it's understandable that grabbing a bus by the side of the road is an attractive option sometimes. I'm very tempted myself half the time, walking in to work in the rain.

Getting into SdC is not nearly as bad as getting into some other cities. I'd say Burgos is the worst

 

[trecile]

Very interesting discussion, everyone. That last stretch of city into the Cathedral can seem to take forever, for Camino first-timers and for veterans. Plus there's a good bit of uphill climb so it's understandable that grabbing a bus by the side of the road is an attractive option sometimes. I'm very tempted myself half the time, walking in to work in the rain.

The problem I had the first time was that the arrows and markers seem to disappear as you get closer in Santiago. That, and the fact that there was no brass band heralding my arrival after walking for a month.

Getting into SdC is not nearly as bad as getting into some other cities. I'd say Burgos is the worst

It's not so bad when you take the river route detailed here: Burgos river route

 

[isawtman]

I took the river route. To me going next to the Burgos Airport was the worst part of the Camino

 

[Richard Smith]

Getting into SdC is not nearly as bad as getting into some other cities. I'd say Burgos is the worst

I rank that endless railway crossing bridge before Astorga as the worst

 

[isawtman]

Common, the big green monster is unique, and you get a great view at the top

 

[JabbaPapa]

I took the river route. To me going next to the Burgos Airport was the worst part of the Camino

Nowhere near as bad as the main road official route in, though to be fair I did need to walk in that way last year, and it is significantly less disagreeable than it used to be. There are resting spots, a proper hiking/cycling path, reasonable speed limits, and even one or two spots where you can buy refreshments.

And I would add that the trail by the airport is less annoying towards France than Compostela, and potentially also less annoying on the second go than one's first, from knowing what you're getting into.

Still, nothing beats what we needed to do in the 1990s, and cross the motorway after León on foot ...

 

[Camino Chrissy]

That, and the fact that there was no brass band heralding my arrival after walking for a month.

I was happy enough with the bagpipes announcing my entrance.

It's not so bad when you take the river route detailed here: Burgos river route

Yes, the river route is a great alternative.
In addition beforehand, veering off onto the less traveled alternate side route before getting close to Burgos far in the distance was a highlight for me.

 

[David Tallan]

Getting into SdC is not nearly as bad as getting into some other cities. I'd say Burgos is the worst

For me, getting into Leon was much worse than getting into Burgos (although I did take the river route variant into Burgos).