English Way

This “English route” owes its name to the first travelers who journeyed along this path. Its history begins in the Middle Ages when all of Europe heard news of the discovery of the remains of St. James the Apostle. Many pilgrims from Nordic countries, Germany, Holland, Belgium, northern France, Great Britain, Ireland, and even Iceland chose this sea route to reach Galician ports and continue the pilgrimage to Compostela by land.

Ferrol, which in the late Middle Ages was primarily a fishing port, became one of the most important landing places for pilgrims at that time. So much so that a hospital was built to assist them. During this period, the precariousness of the ships and the threat of pirate raids made the journey an odyssey.

Pilgrimages by sea experienced significant growth, especially during the Hundred Years’ War in the 14th and 15th centuries, when the ongoing conflicts between France and England made sea pilgrimages safer than land routes. This led to advancements in boats and navigation techniques.

The scale of the English itinerary became substantial, with over 4,000 British pilgrims embarked for Galicia in 1428, distributed among 61 ships. Historians note that most pilgrims belonged to the working classes, and the cost of the trip was equivalent to an average worker’s monthly pay, making it relatively affordable.

Similar to other Jacobean routes, the English Way fell into obscurity from the 16th century onwards. It wasn’t until the late twentieth century that public initiatives were undertaken for its revitalization, dissemination, signage, and the construction of shelters.