This is how the Way of Saint James has evolved since Xacobeo 2004
29 December, 2021
The article Evolution of the Camino de Santiago analyzes how the pilgrimage has changed since the Xacobeo 2004, a year that marked a turning point in the influx of walkers and the celebration of events. Since then, there has been a continuous growth in arrivals, diversification of routes and quality services, with more foreign pilgrims and greater interest in secondary paths such as the Portuguese, English, or Northern Way, reflecting an expansion of the Camino towards new experiences and audiences in the 21st century.
One must go back to the 12th century to speak of the Holy Year of Jacobeo, when Pope Callixtus II granted the Cathedral of Santiago the privilege of celebrating the Jubilee whenever July 25 fell on a Sunday. Thus, it has been celebrated regularly to this day, with certain pauses due to conflicts and other issues. Already in 1982, with the visit to Santiago de Compostela of Pope John Paul II, the Camino de Santiago once again sparked great interest among the pilgrim community, and to promote it, the Xacobeo was created, a celebration more cultural than religious of the Holy Year. The Holy and Jacobean Years of 1993 and 1999 significantly increased the number of pilgrims arriving in Santiago de Compostela, and by 2004 the popularity of the Camino de Santiago was very high. In this article, we will see the evolution of the Camino de Santiago since that year, which marked a before and after in the arrival of pilgrims and the celebration of events.
The Holy Year Xacobeo 2004, more and more pilgrims and more celebration
If in the Holy Year of 1993 it was the first time that the number of over 10,000 pilgrims arriving in Santiago de Compostela was surpassed (by a wide margin), with almost 100,000 pilgrims, in 2004 the number of over 170,000 pilgrims was comfortably exceeded, and from then on, the hundred thousand mark would always be surpassed. The Holy Year and Xacobeo 2004 was, therefore, a very important year for the evolution of the Camino de Santiago, not only in terms of the influx of pilgrims but also in their preferences.
On the other hand, the promotion by the Xunta de Galicia through the Xacobeo in that year 2004 was very important. After the visit of artists such as B. B. King, George Benson, Ray Charles, and Bruce Springsteen in 1993, in 2004 the concerts offered were of great interest, featuring artists such as Bob Dylan, Lou Reed (in place of an ailing David Bowie), The Cure, Iggy & The Stooges, or Red Hot Chili Peppers… ¡and how much fun we had at those concerts!
From 2004 to 2021, seventeen years of growth
Although until the year 2004 the French Way had the most footprints of pilgrims, this trend has changed to give prominence to other routes. It remains the leader and has not lost walkers; what has happened is that the popularity of the routes to Compostela has grown, and many, perhaps repeaters, are opting to undertake new paths. Furthermore, the range of origins of pilgrims has expanded, even from almost unknown countries.
Regarding the other routes, the Portuguese Way tripled the number of pilgrims walking it, and it is traditionally the second most walked after the French route, which decreased by approximately one third in pilgrim traffic. The evolution of the “minor routes” is surprising, as they are now almost of age. The most notable growth is presented by the English Way, which has quadrupled the number of pilgrims it attracts. Other northern routes, such as the Northern Way or the Primitive Way, have also experienced considerable growth.
Other routes that have grown include the Portuguese Way by the Coast, the Way to Finisterre and Muxía, and the Winter Way, which in 2004 did not even appear in the statistics. The one that has fared the worst is undoubtedly the Silver Way, which has lost the most percentage of importance.
Pilgrims of the 21st Century
Apart from the numbers, it is very important to mention the changes in the profile of pilgrims and their preferences. In addition to choosing new routes, as we have seen, the arrival of foreign pilgrims has continued to grow between 2004 and 2021.
While in Holy Year there are many national pilgrims, generally the majority, the presence of other languages, cultures, and origins has also grown, with the main sending countries being Germany, Italy, Portugal, and France, and outside of Europe, Mexico, Venezuela, and Brazil. However, countries like South Korea and Japan are increasingly becoming pilgrims, and the fame of the Camino de Santiago in Eastern countries and lesser-known places continues to grow: discover the Camino de Santiago which is, more and more, a Tower of Babel, as in Laos, Eritrea, Papua New Guinea, or New Caledonia, they already know this ancient route.
More pilgrims, and better quality of services
The positive evolution of the Camino de Santiago in terms of pilgrims has resulted in the growth of services and their quality. The number of shelters and other accommodations has increased, as well as services from companies such as luggage transport and Camino de Santiago agencies like us, who are here to make the Camino de Santiago easier in response to the growing demand.
Desire for the Camino
As we see, it is something universal and cannot be stopped. The Camino de Santiago is in vogue and reaches every corner of the Planet. With a positive evolution since the Holy Year and Xacobeo 2004, in this 2021 we are pleased with the good health of this mature Camino de Santiago, and in this Holy Year and Xacobeo, which will continue into next year 2022, we believe this trend will continue to rise. Do not worry, it is a Camino for everyone and for all, and any pilgrim, no matter where they are from, fits into any route. You find the moment, and we will take you to the 21st-century Camino de Santiago.
