Types of Compostela Certificates

Seawind · 2024-09-25T19:58:11+0200

Six days out from Santiago on the Norte and have been talking with experienced pilgrims on the Certificates upon arriving in Santiago. I came back to this Forum to see if the answers were here and found that there is only one Certificate called the Compostela. Can anyone clear up and confirm this to be true OR is there another certificate for certain distances and….one experienced pilgrim even mentioned a “medal” of sort if you let the office hold your Credential until they verified your pilgrimage…then sent/mailed it back to you. Clarification would be helpful.

Tincatinker · 2024-09-25T20:14:20+0200

Seawind said:
Six days out from Santiago on the Norte and have been talking with experienced pilgrims on the Certificates upon arriving in Santiago. I came back to this Forum to see if the answers were here and found that there is only one Certificate called the Compostela. Can anyone clear up and confirm this to be true OR is there another certificate for certain distances and….one experienced pilgrim even mentioned a “medal” of sort if you let the office hold your Credential until they verified your pilgrimage…then sent/mailed it back to you. Clarification would be helpful.

There is the Compostela and there is acertificate of distance. That’s it.

There used to be a certificate of welcome for those who made the pilgrimage for other than religious reasons. The Pilgrims Office seems to have set those aside and issue a Compostela to all that meet the current criteria: to have walked at least 100km into Santiago by a recognized route and to have collected at least two Sellos per day in a recognized Credencial.

All the accurate information is available on their website: https://oficinadelperegrino.com/en/

trecile · 2024-09-25T20:16:59+0200

There is only ONE Compostela. The other certificates have different names, such as Fisterrana, Salvadorana, etc. . At the Pilgrim Office in Santiago they issue only Compostelas and Distance Certificates. They used to (or maybe still do on request) issue a non-religious Welcome Certificate.

There are other certificates issued at different places on different Caminos. I have only heard once about a medal, and I think that was for starting from SJPdP.

Here's an article about some of the other certificates you can receive:

The end of each Camino; all the pilgrim's certificates.

There are many certificates apart from the Compostela, some of them as well as the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago and here we show you all.

viajecaminodesantiago.com

Bradypus · 2024-09-25T20:21:10+0200

Seawind said:
one experienced pilgrim even mentioned a “medal” of sort if you let the office hold your Credential until they verified your pilgrimage…then sent/mailed it back to you. Clarification would be helpful.

I've never heard of a medal from the Santiago pilgrim office. The SJPDP office were offering one some years ago but I have no idea if that is still available. Some mention of it in this old thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/medallion-from-pilgrims-office-in-st-jean.65525/

Seawind · 2024-09-25T20:37:05+0200

As true to form, your expertise is appreciated and very helpful. Thank all of you who replied AND so timely. As you have earlier advised me, I will start acquiring 2 stamps per day at Baamonde going forward to Santiago with my origination being in Irun. Incredible journey!
Overlooking Mondoñedo from the rain/wind storm!!

PiesIrlandeses · 2024-09-25T21:44:22+0200

One slight variation on the standard Compostela is a vicarie pro.

Your name still appears printed on the certificate, but the name of your nominee is added, handwritten with the words vicarie pro. This is only granted in particular circumstances, such as your nominee being physically unable to make the pilgrimage.

J Willhaus · 2024-09-25T23:25:06+0200

You pay a small fee for the distance certificate, but not for the compostella.

SabsP · 2024-09-26T08:00:04+0200

J Willhaus said:
You pay a small fee for the distance certificate, but not for the compostella.

Indeed, the Compostela is free and the Certificado de Distancia is 3 €.

JabbaPapa · 2024-09-26T08:04:49+0200

Bradypus said:
I've never heard of a medal from the Santiago pilgrim office. The SJPDP office were offering one some years ago but I have no idea if that is still available. Some mention of it in this old thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/medallion-from-pilgrims-office-in-st-jean.65525/

It was still available there in the beginning of August this year.

Monasp · 2024-09-26T17:11:47+0200

Seawind said:
Six days out from Santiago on the Norte and have been talking with experienced pilgrims on the Certificates upon arriving in Santiago. I came back to this Forum to see if the answers were here and found that there is only one Certificate called the Compostela. Can anyone clear up and confirm this to be true OR is there another certificate for certain distances and….one experienced pilgrim even mentioned a “medal” of sort if you let the office hold your Credential until they verified your pilgrimage…then sent/mailed it back to you. Clarification would be helpful.

A medal is sent by the SJPDP Pilgrims' Office to pilgrims who request one, provided they have walked or cycled the distance between SJPDP and Santiago de Compostela.

trecile · 2024-09-26T17:18:48+0200

Monasp said:
A medal is sent by the SJPDP Pilgrims' Office to pilgrims who request one, provided they have walked or cycled the distance between SJPDP and Santiago de Compostela.

It says on the website to send copies of the first and last pages of the credencial with €10 to receive the medal. Is that just for EU residents, or do they send it anywhere in the world?

CWBuff · 2024-09-26T17:24:33+0200

Monasp said:
A medal is sent by the SJPDP Pilgrims' Office to pilgrims who request one, provided they have walked or cycled the distance between SJPDP and Santiago de Compostela.

Hi @Monasp - so... I can (still) request the medal even if I walked in May-June 2022?
if so - is the criteria to get it still on the SJPdP Pilgrim Office website?

edit - I do see on the website that its available but the ask is to send 10 € (and I presume in cash?) What does one do if their currency is not Euro? Like mine of course is USD?
Any insight is appreciated

Merci!

trecile · 2024-09-26T17:30:33+0200

CWBuff said:
I do see on the website that its available but the ask is to send 10 € (and I presume in cash?) What does one do if their currency is not Euro? Like mine of course is USD?

You don't have any spare €€ from your last trip?

CWBuff · 2024-09-26T17:52:53+0200

Actually I always do (given the fact that Laurie runs to Europe couple of times a year for business trips)
I was being a "Good Pilgrim" and asking for the non-European Community

Robertb345 · 2024-09-26T18:10:46+0200

I got this from the San Fancisco convent next to near the cathedral. Has a prayer on the back and the front is in latin. They also stamp your credentials and say a prayer for you. Hope I did not accidentally join some order !

CWBuff · 2024-09-26T18:43:04+0200

Yes you did and now you have to do that "Franciscan" hairdo!

Pafayac · 2024-09-26T19:06:26+0200

CWBuff said:
I do see on the website that its available but the ask is to send 10 € (and I presume in cash?)

Sending cash is forbidden in France, I guess you should use check (are they used yet in US ?).

CWBuff · 2024-09-26T19:10:51+0200

No... but I am aware of one chap (bloke, dude etc) who is chiselling one out of the stone tablet as we speak

Seriously I dont think my bank would allow me to write a check for Euros

Seawind · 2024-09-26T21:57:34+0200

After reading all of the posts in regards to the “medal”. It looks like my Camino(Irun to Santiago) would not qualify??

henrythedog · 2024-09-26T22:20:08+0200

A medal?

Seriously guys, how desperate do you have to be?

The entire premise of anything starting in St Jean is made-up. The provenance of St James’ earthly remains, discovered when the church was running low on cash, residing in Santiago is - let’s be kind - dubious. A man-made certificate which purports some religious significance is made available - although at no cost - and now that some medal from a tourist-office is available that’s of interest also?

Isn’t it enough to do what you will and know you’ve done what you can?

CWBuff · 2024-09-26T22:40:17+0200

I.... WANT.... MY .... MEDAL!!!!
IT'S .... MY.... CAMINO!!!!

(I'm considering starting a GoFundMe page for the amount needed for the fee and the postage)

henrythedog · 2024-09-26T22:47:11+0200

Robertb345 said:
I got this from the San Fancisco convent next to near the cathedral. Has a prayer on the back and the front is in latin. They also stamp your credentials and say a prayer for you. Hope I did not accidentally join some order !

It’s your turn in the barrel on Wednesdays.

henrythedog · 2024-09-26T22:56:20+0200

Terri: I’m shocked.

obinjatoo · Sunday at 9:42 PM

That's what they told Mary. Is it my imagination or is it nuts in Santiago? Just looked at hostels, pensiones and the like for 2 pilgrims within 5 k of the Cathedral. 400 Euros? WTF?! I walked the...

SusieP · Saturday at 12:49 PM

I heard there were hotels in the square where our Camino ends. Do any of you know the names?

Seawind · 2024-09-25T19:58:11+0200

Six days out from Santiago on the Norte and have been talking with experienced pilgrims on the Certificates upon arriving in Santiago. I came back to this Forum to see if the answers were here and...

Types of Compostela Certificates

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