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I did not take photographs on my 1990 Camino Frances walk but my vague recollection is that the area around the Cruz was much more open at the time. I do remember being surprised at the surrounding trees in 2016.
That is true about a number of "traditions" which seem to have gained currency in recent years. Like burning clothes at Fisterra or indeed the growing practice of continuing on to Fisterra at all.
Or the recently invented 'shell ceremony' where prospective pilgrims are given a shell and a blessing before they leave home. Some time ago I read a post arguing that the custom is that the shell you carry should be given to you by a pilgrim who had already made the journey. News to me
In terms of the Holy Year indulgence and the Puerto Santo, there is no requirement to walk and no requirement for a Compostela.This is not meant as a criticism only a question. Are tourists or others who travel to only Santiago considered pilgrims? Or are they tourists who want to visit an historic site or religious people who want to come to because of their deep faith. I am seriously just asking for clarity. Would the church, as an example refer to them as Pilgrims?
A second question. I was always under the impression the Puerto Santo was only open during a Holy Year (I have since discovered that is not true). I was also under the impression that only "pilgrims" who have received a Compostela can walk through that door. Is what I have said correct?
Thanks.
Thanks so much and so so true about the many different pilgrim destinations. I would guess based on what you have written that anyone who wants to wait (I have read it can take a while to walk through Puerto Santo) may walk through the Puerto Santo. That settles that! Good to know. It was just curiosity. I guess if you want to do this than do what a smart Pilgrim does who wants to get his Compostela and get a shot at the free lunch at the Parador, get their really early (which I did once. Or walk in at about 10AM in December and get the coupon because just about everyone before you was from Korea. The Compostela man told me none of them wanted to take advantage of lunch at the Parador)!!!! Thanks again and Buen Camino to you.In terms of the Holy Year indulgence and the Puerto Santo, there is no requirement to walk and no requirement for a Compostela.
In terms of what makes one a pilgrim, boy, that's a loaded question. It is worth noting that Santiago de Compostela is far from the only Catholic pilgrim destination. Millions go to Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, or even Rome or Jerusalem or Bethlehem and no one says they are not a pilgrim if they haven't walked there. Why should it be different for Santiago de Compostela?
As a final note, I am not so sure the categories of people with a historic interest (tourists) and people with a religious interest (pilgrims) are as mutually exclusive as they are presented. Many people, I expect, have both a religious or spiritual aspect and a cultural/historical appreciation to their trips to Santiago de Compostela.
A question please: how long has the CdF been there? Is it mediaeval or 20th century?Excellent news, and thank you -- the re-routing of the road is hands down the best part of the proposal.
As far as documented facts go:A question please: how long has the CdF been there? Is it mediaeval or 20th century?
For what it is worth, according to Gitlitz and Davidson's The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook, the pile of stones was topped with a cross by the hermit Gaucelmo. They also say that the ruins 300m beyond Foncebadon before beginning the climb to the pass are the remains of the Hospital de San Juan established by the hermit Gaucelmo and granted privileges by King Alfonso VI in 1103. If both of those are true, there was a cross there in the middle ages. The small chapel of Santiago at the CdF is 20th century, being built in 1982 by the Casa de Galicia in Ponferrada.As far as documented facts go:
The current (physical) road is modern.
- Pilgrims and other travellers on the way to and from Santiago did walk from/to Astorga over the Cruz de Ferro (Rabanal) pass in the Middle Ages. Another popular medieval way from Astorga went over the Manazanal pass which is further to the north and less high.
- Piles of stones of the sort that you see at the Cruz de Ferro have a long history in Northern Spain, in particular in Galicia, that reaches further back in time than the Middle Ages.
- The tradition of throwing a stone onto the pile has a long tradition. The most recent and perhaps most documented tradition relates to seasonal workers who crossed the Cruz de Ferro pass on their way to work as reapers for crop harvest in the 20th and 19th century.
- The tradition of pilgrims bringing a stone from home is recent.
Yuppie!!! I found something about the mercury mounts, from around the year 550. It all makes more sense to me now. But as this is not the topic of the thread, I'll keep it to myself until an appropriate occasion arises for sharing itThank you. I obviously have too much time on my hands and I've developed two small obsessions around this topic: finding the first report of a non-local pilgrim or other traveller from far away who actually brought a stone from home and finding something historically reliable about the use of the term 'Mercury mounts'. Both quests largely in vain so far, nothing I found goes further back than 1800-and-something at best. ☺
Well, Katherine, I'd like to know more about your researching options, thank youYuppie!!! I found something about the mercury mounts, from around the year 550. It all makes more sense to me now. But as this is not the topic of the thread, I'll keep it to myself until an appropriate occasion arises for sharing it.
More to the point: the original proposal for a transformation of the Cruz de Ferro environment had been turned down and now there is a newer, more modest proposal and it, too, encounters opposition, including at least one change.org petition to leave the space as it is.
I am having trouble finding the term "mercury mounts" - however reliable, historically - any farther back than your post #40 on this thread. What does it have to do with anything?finding something historically reliable about the use of the term 'Mercury mounts'. Both quests largely in vain so far, nothing I found goes further back than 1800-and-something at best.
Where do I beginI am having trouble finding the term "mercury mounts" - however reliable, historically - any farther back than your post #40 on this thread. What does it have to do with anything?
But what would be the point of that? Can't pilgrims find their very own special places? There is no need for a specific place to leave a stone behind or have a special moment at.I wouldn't begrudge or judge anyone making a pilgrimage or trip to SDC in whatever way they can. But, it seems like great impetuous / opportunity for some Camino Associations to come together to put an official Cruz to the walking pilgrim located somewhere on the trail far from roads and towns. Somewhere out of sight and sound of roads and cities.
why not go the whole hog and have merry Chrissie stalls there in winter with braziers to keep us warm and hot chestnuts. mulled wine of course or perhaps sidra?Such future plans are frightening; hopefully all such
"improvements" will be hidden under snow. Thus this at least provides another reason to enjoy walking alone on empty trails during winter.
Agree. I have my own special place and have had for years.But what would be the point of that? Can't pilgrims find their very own special places? There is no need for a specific place to leave a stone behind or have a special moment at.
Maybe escalators like this one in Portugalete?What next tho? A funicular over the Pyrenees?
Looks like someone else had the same idea and made a request to obtain details about the current remodelling project. From today’s news: La Federación Española de Asociaciones de Amigos del Camino de Santiago pregunta a la jefa del Servicio de Cultura y Patrimonio de León los detalles del proyecto de adecuación del entorno de la Cruz de Fierro, un lugar emblemático de paso de peregrinos del Camino De Santiago.On the other hand, I, too would like to see the actual current plans for the Cruz de Ferro site
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