The Other Certificates of the Camino de Santiago

Information about other certificates of the Camino de Santiago in addition to the Compostela, explaining what accreditations exist, how they are obtained, and what routes or requirements they involve, providing a useful overview for pilgrims seeking alternative recognitions for their experience.

All pilgrims know that there are many routes of the Camino de Santiago to traverse, and upon arriving in Santiago, one can obtain the Compostela. However, not everyone knows that there are also many other pilgrimage certificates that we can obtain by undertaking a Jacobean route. If you consider yourself a seasoned pilgrim and wish to have a good Jacobean curriculum vitae, keep reading; there is much to walk: the "Peregrinoteca" of the Camino de Santiago is very extensive.

Two models of Compostela, the final certificate after completing the Camino de Santiago

Documents issued in Santiago, in addition to the Compostela

Beyond the well-known pilgrim certificate, the Compostela, in Santiago you can obtain other documents, and we will now take a look at them.

The Cotolaya

Also known as "Franciscan Compostela", the Cotolaya is a certificate granted by the Franciscan congregation of Santiago to every pilgrim who arrives in the city. It has been issued since 2014, the year that commemorated the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi's pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The name Cotolaya comes from the legend of Saint Francis and the charcoal burner Cotolay. It is known that the Italian monk pilgrimaged to Santiago in the 13th century, and good Cotolay welcomed the saint into his home. Furthermore, Saint Francis entrusted him with the construction of the current convent of San Francisco, very close to the cathedral. Approach the sacristy of the church of San Francisco and show your duly stamped pilgrim passport to obtain this free certificate, although donations are accepted.

The "Perregrina"

Our furry canine friends are excellent companions on the Camino de Santiago, and walking the Camino with your dog is a very beautiful experience. In addition to this, it turns out that your best friend can be recognized as a "perregrino", as long as they have their canine pilgrim passport duly stamped. The Animal Protection Association of the Camino (APACA), since 2018, issues the canine pilgrim passport (3€) and its respective certificate, the "Perregrina" or canine Compostela (free of charge).

The canine pilgrim passport, with which you can obtain the canine Compostela or "Perregrina"

The Dual Compostela

Since 2015, there has been the possibility of obtaining this very special certificate, but we warn you that you will need to travel a bit. This document is issued free of charge to those who meet the certification requirements by completing the two pilgrimage routes that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. What are they? The Camino de Santiago in Spain, of course, and the Kumano Kodo in Japan. It has a dedicated and free pilgrim passport and you can obtain the certificate once you finish both routes, both in Santiago and in the city of Tanabe (Japan). This is a curious pilgrimage that will take you from sunrise to sunset.

Documents issued along the Camino de Santiago

There are also other certificates that are issued along the Jacobean routes, as proof of arrival at some special place. Some, in fact, were formerly certifications of passage that served as safe conduct for the safety and hospitality due to the pilgrim.

The Finisterrana and the Muxiana

Every pilgrim who undertakes the Camino de Santiago de Finisterre and Muxía can obtain two certificates: the Finisterrana in Finisterre, and the Muxiana in Muxía. This is a very special route that pilgrims travel towards the End of the World. For both, there is the same pilgrim passport, which is free and exclusive to this route and which we must get stamped and dated. Once we arrive in these towns, either at their public shelters or at their tourist offices, we can request other free certificates.

The Muxiana, a document you can obtain upon arriving in Muxía

The Ayeguina

Another ancient pass is the Ayeguina, a certificate that proves the completion of the first 100 kilometers of the French Way from Roncesvalles in Ayegui. It was issued by the medieval monastery of Irache, although today it is issued in the aforementioned Navarre town.

The Olvidada

Upon finishing the Forgotten Way, which runs between Bilbao and Villafranca del Bierzo, the pilgrim can obtain the so-called Olvidada. This certificate, which has its own pilgrim passport, is given at the Tourist Office of Villafranca del Bierzo. With another possible starting point in Pamplona, this Camino de Santiago could be the oldest after the Primitive Way.

The Pedronia

On the Portuguese Way, the pilgrim can obtain a very special certificate. As they pass through Padrón, where it is believed that the mortal remains of the Apostle Santiago arrived, the pilgrim can request the Pedronia. It can also be obtained by undertaking the Portuguese Way by the Coast or the Spiritual Variant. This is a document issued at the Tourist Office of Padrón since 2010, and from 2024 it will have a cost of 2€. It is obtained by meeting the requirement of presenting the pilgrim passport with the stamp of the Church of Santiago de Padrón.

In Padrón, you can obtain the Pedronia

The Lebaniega

This certificate, the Lebaniega, has its own pilgrim passport, and is issued to every pilgrim who completes the Lebaniego Way. This route is a detour from the Northern Way in San Vicente de la Barquera to reach the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana. This monastery has safeguarded the Lignum Crucis for centuries, a relic considered to be part of the wooden cross where Jesus met his death. Additionally, it celebrates the Lebaniego Jubilee Year, just like the Holy Year of Santiago in Santiago de Compostela.

The Salvadorana

This certificate is obtained by completing the Salvador Way, which runs from León to Oviedo. As the saying goes, "Whoever goes to Santiago and not to the Salvador visits the servant and forgets the lord". This saying reminds us that the Holy Chamber of Oviedo houses very important relics such as the Holy Shroud. It is necessary to obtain the specific pilgrim passport for the Salvador Way at one of the shelters in the province of León. Once in Oviedo, the Salvadorana can be obtained at the cathedral (4€) and at the pilgrim shelter (2€).

The Ignaciana

This certificate is specific to the Ignatian Way. This is the route that Saint Ignatius of Loyola took in 1522 from Loyola (Guipúzcoa) to Manresa (Barcelona), to embark towards the Holy Land. It has its own pilgrim passport (0.5€), which can be collected at any institution linked to this route in any of the cities it passes through. It functions like the Jacobean passport, although only a stamp and date per stage are required. Meanwhile, the issued certificate (0.5€), the Ignaciana, can be collected at the end of the route, in Manresa, or in Loyola.

The Pilgrim's Letter

This would be a good example of an ancient safe conduct that has reached our days. At the midpoint of the French Way in the Iberian Peninsula lies Sahagún, in the province of León. At the sanctuary of the Virgin Peregrina, or at the Cultural Center of this locality, the pilgrim can obtain the Pilgrim's Letter. It is free of charge, although donations are welcome. Pilgrims who undertake the Camino de Santiago from Madrid, which ends in the aforementioned historic city, consider it their final certificate.

In Sahagún you can obtain the Pilgrim's Letter

The Canarian Jacobean

Did you know that there is a Camino de Santiago and a Canarian certificate? If you are from the islands, you will surely know the Camino de Santiago de Gáldar, the "path among volcanoes" on the island of Gran Canaria. Since 1965, the church of Santiago de los Caballeros de Gáldar has the same privileges as the Compostela cathedral. Therefore, this church and Jacobean Way, which also has its own pilgrim passport, offers the possibility of obtaining this Canarian Jacobean.

A vast pilgrim curriculum

There are many existing paths and certificates. If we have missed any, we would love to hear from you in the comments below. If you do not have any yet, we recommend starting with the first one, the Compostela, and from Viajes Camino de Santiago we can help you obtain it. After your first experience, you will be encouraged to continue walking the different Jacobean routes and enrich your pilgrim journey. ¡Ultreia!