Displaying Compostelas

[Momwiz]

I now have three Compostelas and two other certificates of completion from my caminos. I’m wondering if there are any creative ways to display them and also to display my passports. Just framing them and putting them up on my den wall is an option but I’m looking for other ways as well. Any suggestions? Thanks I’m advance!

 

[J Willhaus]

Maybe under a plate of glass on a coffee table or something similar?

 

[jungleboy]

Maybe under a plate of class on a coffee table or something similar?

I’ve had this idea for a while for either real or pilgrim passports but haven’t gotten around to actually doing it yet!

 

[trecile]

Here are a couple of threads that might help

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/framing-my-compostela-s-c.76086/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/what-size-frames-for-compostela-certificate-of-distance-and-credencial.75316/

 

[trecile]

More ideas

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/did-you-frame-your-credential.67847/

 

[K_Lynn]

Mine are still in a cardboard tube and envelopes lol. I have a few ideas of how I'd like to display them but have not got around to it yet. I have some new pictures that need frames, so I may finally be motivated to do it.

 

[Bartman]

Another idea...double sided frame room divider...
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/did-you-frame-your-credential.67847/#post-858276

 

[J F Gregory]

In the home we moved from they were displayed on the wall in our family room. We move about 6.months ago and haven't set a place.

 

[StephenHLanark]

I now have three Compostelas and two other certificates of completion from my caminos. I’m wondering if there are any creative ways to display them and also to display my passports. Just framing them and putting them up on my den wall is an option but I’m looking for other ways as well. Any suggestions? Thanks I’m advance!

I’m on my third Camino but only bothered to get one Compostela. I don’t intend to get any more. Am I odd?

 

[J Willhaus]

I’m on my third Camino but only bothered to get one Compostela. I don’t intend to get any more. Am I odd?

I think a lot of pilgrims don't get the Compostela after the first or second Camino. I do see and advantage of at least registering with the pilgrim office to let them know which route you walked.

 

[trecile]

I’m on my third Camino but only bothered to get one Compostela. I don’t intend to get any more. Am I odd?

Not at all

 

[Kev&Kath]

I’m on my third Camino but only bothered to get one Compostela. I don’t intend to get any more. Am I odd?

No..not odd, and I’m of the same opinion. I don’t want to get into a frame of mind where I’m ‘collecting’ compostellas. My first is very special to me…and it will do. I will, however, always get the Distance Certificate. These will be my ‘official’ mementos of pilgrimage.

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

I think a lot of pilgrims don't get the Compostela after the first or second Camino.

Walking incognito since twelve years ago !

 

[henrythedog]

I’m on my third Camino but only bothered to get one Compostela. I don’t intend to get any more. Am I odd?

No.

If the reality lives up to the publicity and you end up meeting St Peter, or one of his team, they won’t ask for the paperwork.

At same time, anyone who took a taxi within 100km of Santiago will not have to worry about the central heating for time immemorial.

 

[Momwiz]

No.

If the reality lives up to the publicity and you end up meeting St Peter, or one of his team, they won’t ask for the paperwork.

At same time, anyone who took a taxi within 100km of Santiago will not have to worry about the central heating for time immemorial.

With all due respect, I find your comment quite judgmental. Injury, fatigue, illness besets us mortals. God laughs when we make plans.

 

[trecile]

I will, however, always get the Distance Certificate. These will be my ‘official’ mementos of pilgrimage.

I'm satisfied with my credencial with its stamps.

No.

If the reality lives up to the publicity and you end up meeting St Peter, or one of his team, they won’t ask for the paperwork.

At same time, anyone who took a taxi within 100km of Santiago will not have to worry about the central heating for time immemorial.

With all due respect, I find your comment quite judgmental. Injury, fatigue, illness besets us mortals. God laughs when we make plans.

When I read @henrythedog's post I thought that the was implied.

 

[henrythedog]

With all due respect, I find your comment quite judgmental. Injury, fatigue, illness besets us mortals. God laughs when we make plans.

I’m sure She does.
Feel free to put your argument forwards to St Peter if claiming a compostella under false pretences.

I am judgemental, and never pretend otherwise.

 

[henrythedog]

I'm satisfied with my credencial with its stamps.



When I read @henrythedog's post I thought that the was implied.

You’re very kind.

 

[Momwiz]

I'm satisfied with my credencial with its stamps.



When I read @henrythedog's post I thought that the was implied.

I did not.

 

[henrythedog]

I’ll try again.

Complete any penitential journey, or carry out any good deed, or just live a good life without seeking recognition and certification and - if you believe in a God, then he or she will know all about it even with the absence of paperwork.

Claim a compostella without conforming to the rules; whether you suffered an unexpected issue or not; then it’s rather unlikely that it will count in your favour and - if you believe in a God, then he or she will know all about it.

 

[Tincatinker]

Every time I get to Muxia and I stand and look at that broken boat I’m minded that my old gods really don’t give a flying gurgle about me. My insignificant challenges, successes and failures have no impact on the universe or them. Clutching my little bunch of Compostela won’t change that a jot. That said I’ll never risk parade flaunting a medal I haven’t earned. Rules are rules. I was raised to ignore them but not to ignore the consequences of my ignorance

 

[Momwiz]

Every time I get to Muxia and I stand and look at that broken boat I’m minded that my old gods really don’t give a flying gurgle about me. My insignificant challenges, successes and failures have no impact on the universe or them. Clutching my little bunch of Compostela won’t change that a jot. That said I’ll never risk parade flaunting a medal I haven’t earned. Rules are rules. I was raised to ignore them but not to ignore the consequences of my ignorance

Rules are made by mortals. My God (he/she) understands the fallibility of them.

 

[henrythedog]

Every time I get to Muxia and I stand and look at that broken boat I’m minded that my old gods really don’t give a flying gurgle about me. My insignificant challenges, successes and failures have no impact on the universe or them. Clutching my little bunch of Compostela won’t change that a jot. That said I’ll never risk parade flaunting a medal I haven’t earned. Rules are rules. I was raised to ignore them but not to ignore the consequences of my ignorance

I am reassured at least that several landlords in south Cumbria will miss me when I’m gone and my few medals (for turning up, not doing anything constructive) rarely see the light of day.

My apologies to the OP for any offence given.

Do bear in mind that many of the stamps used on credenciales do not take direct exposure to sunlight well; I’ve seen a few which have faded. If you’re seeking to display your trophy it may be better to frame a good quality scan and put the original on the back.

 

[dick bird]

The original purpose of the Compostela was to prove that you had really been to Santiago. This was important because the practice grew up, probably in the 12th century, of sending people off on a pilgrimage as a penance or even as a sentence handed down by a court, so proof that you had 'done your time' was obviously required. The punishment was made to fit the crime so anyone sent to Santiago rather than a local shrine was likely to be a serious offender. Who knows when the Compostela became a souvenir? Probably quite quickly because there is ample evidence that mediaeval pilgrims were avid souvenir collectors. It is up to you whether you need a Compostela for every camino and what you do with it when you get home.

 

[trecile]

Here´s some information on the history of the Compostela certificate from the Pilgrim´s Office

The “Compostela“, the accreditation of the pilgrimage to the Tomb of St. James.​

Since the pilgrimage to the tomb of Santiago, which came about spontaneously before the ninth and tenth centuries, was institutionalised and took on certain social and religious considerations, it was necessary to accredit its completion. To do this, badges were first used that could only be acquired in Santiago, in the shape of the scallop shell. It is obvious to see how easy it was to falsify this rudimentary certification. The counterfeiting soon took on and they were sold at the entrance to the city, forcing the prelates of Compostela and the Pope himself to decree excommunication penalties against the counterfeiters. More effective, as they were more difficult to counterfeit, were the so-called cartas probatorias (evidentiary letters), which were already issued in the 13th century. These letters led directly to the Compostela.

In the 16th century the Catholic Monarchs constituted the Foundation of the Royal Hospital and to house it they commissioned the building now occupied by the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, converted in 1954 into a luxury hotel. On presenting the Compostela, pilgrims acquired the right to stay free of charge for three days. The pilgrims’ health needs turned the institution, after the necessary extensions, into the most important hospital in Galicia and later into the headquarters of the famous Compostela medical school. In 1954 it became a Parador de Turismo hotel, although, as a tradition of hospitality, the hotel continues to offer free meals to the first pilgrims each day who come to the Hostal; they must always present the “Compostela” or a photocopy of it.

 

[ChrisGall]

I now have three Compostelas and two other certificates of completion from my caminos. I’m wondering if there are any creative ways to display them and also to display my passports. Just framing them and putting them up on my den wall is an option but I’m looking for other ways as well. Any suggestions? Thanks I’m advance!

If you want to preserve and also share your certificates and documents and mementos of your caminos, a nice scrapbook album would be great. You will be able to add to it if you wish, leave it on the coffee table (Customized covers?) or somewhere handy where you can sit with interested folks or just yourself to review them. Add more memories, photos, thoughts. They're not trophies, they're more personal.

 

[lalaone]

This was actually a huge topic of debate among pilgrims as my husband approached Santiago this summer. Some had no interest in receiving the Compestela and stayed true to that wish. Others thought they had no interest but had second thoughts and received one.

What to do with it? Ours are still in tubes…. It doesn't look terrible next to our bible, but I always feel weird or guilty about not knowing what to do with them.



I liked an idea from a veteran pilgrim of framing it in a “shadow box.” That's a nice way to place it alongside other significant and memorable items like your credencial, prayer cards, pressed flowers, small gifts, notes – so many special things from the journey that inevitably come back home after making it to Santiago. You can open the box if you wish, otherwise it can remain framed with all your mementos in one place. That's what I'd like to do one day. But if they end up staying in tubes on a shelf, I guess it's not the worst thing.

 

[Sirage]

Buy a large monitor for your living room that is on endless loop of all your photographs and other memorabilia including Compostellas.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

To me, the compostela is simply an affirmation of a milestone in my life. I don't feel a need to frame or otherwise display, as indeed I don't with other similar documents, my baptismal certificate, for instance.

 

[CWBuff]

I’m sure She does.
Feel free to put your argument forwards to St Peter if claiming a compostella under false pretences.

I am judgemental, and never pretend otherwise.

Kindda like me. I Always quip that "I am an equal opportunity offender" when i meet new folks.
Up to them to either take an immediate offence or laugh with me

 

[CWBuff]

I’m on my third Camino but only bothered to get one Compostela. I don’t intend to get any more. Am I odd?

Yes. You need to get another Compostela and then you truly will be 'even'

 

[CWBuff]

OK... so I thought I'd sort of get to it myself but life keeps on interfering
I got 2 'certificates' in the SdC Pilgrim's office
I thought the 'horizontal' one with Starting point and total distance was the actual Compostela and didnt know what the otehr one ws
Can someone shed the light, please for both?

 

[J Willhaus]

OK... so I thought I'd sort of get to it myself but life keeps on interfering
I got 2 'certificates' in the SdC Pilgrim's office
I thought the 'horizontal' one with Starting point and total distance was the actual Compostela and didnt know what the otehr one ws
Can someone shed the light, please for both?

I think the first one is a distance certificate since it lists the km on it. That one you actually pay a small fee for.

 

[trecile]

OK... so I thought I'd sort of get to it myself but life keeps on interfering
I got 2 'certificates' in the SdC Pilgrim's office
I thought the 'horizontal' one with Starting point and total distance was the actual Compostela and didnt know what the otehr one ws
Can someone shed the light, please for both?

I think the first one is a distance certificate since it lists the km on it. That one you actually pay a small fee for.

@J Willhaus is right. The horizontal certificate that shows you kms is the Distance Certificate. The Compostela is vertical.

 

[CWBuff]

@trecile @J Willhaus
thank you both

 

[Risky]

G'day Perigrinos,

We always get our Compestela when we finish, why not?

And lots of our friends have asked what we do when we disappear for 3 months of the year, so we framed a copy of the two Compestela certificates and our passport from the Via del Plata (our 1st "long distance" walk) with the passport showing the path and some stamps. We think it looks pretty good and acts as a Camino conversation starter.

Bon Chemin. Bon Camino.

 

[Momwiz]

G'day Perigrinos,

We always get our Compestela when we finish, why not?

And lots of our friends have asked what we do when we disappear for 3 months of the year, so we framed a copy of the two Compestela certificates and our passport from the Via del Plata (our 1st "long distance" walk) with the passport showing the path and some stamps. We think it looks pretty good and acts as a Camino conversation starter.

Bon Chemin. Bon Camino.

Beautiful!

 

[SirJizzle]

I want to share my "Wall of Caminos with you Guys.
I have it next to a indoor hammock...

 

[Kev&Kath]

Very happy to have everything framed. No exaggeration to say this wall is a constant focus.

 

[Former member 92300]

I’m on my third Camino but only bothered to get one Compostela. I don’t intend to get any more. Am I odd?

Odd? Nope. I am debating whether to get them in the future. I think I will if it is a new route - but not if I repeat a route. But then again - just getting the credential stamped is much cooler than a generic certificate that everyone has - because it holds the stamps of all the places YOU stopped and asked for a stamp! Much better memories than the Compostela itself.

 

[SirJizzle]

Odd? Nope. I am debating whether to get them in the future. I think I will if it is a new route - but not if I repeat a route. But then again - just getting the credential stamped is much cooler than a generic certificate that everyone has - because it holds the stamps of all the places YOU stopped and asked for a stamp! Much better memories than the Compostela itself.

I absolutely agree! Your Compostela does not tell a story.
My credencial of my first Camino carrys my tears, thoughts, memories of all the places.
Some pilgrims "drawed" their "own" stamps in it for me and I carried this little Paper the whole way with me...
I love to look at them and just remember all the little places...
And to be honest... I cant wait to start again filling one of these little, lovely booklets with stamps and memories!
in more or less two weeks (7th November) it is time again
Like always I start to become nervous already xD
Its almost 4 years ago sionce I went on the del Norte...
The thoughts are again "Your luggage looks so tiny... do you have everything necessary?"
"Do I miss something?"
And as I write this post I write down a note to buy kinesio Tape(Perfekt for your sore muscles and as well for your broken shoes xD)
I love you all!
Have a great Way where ever you are!