Camino Markers in Galicia

[Colin Botterman]

Hi, I live on the Camino near Pedrouzo and often walk our dogs along the Camino. It saddens me to see the new distance markers that the Galician government spent a huge amount of money to improve the Camino for Pilgrims and help them navigate have been (1), Vandalized... It seems that people think it is a great idea to lever off the distance plaque off of the markers, Presumably as a memento??? and (2) The mindless graffiti that has been plastered all across the stones. My question is... WHY???? I have spoken to our local Police and they inform me that they are aware of this mindless stupidity by some people, They also told me that anyone caught either defacing or stealing from the markers will be given a lovely Fine of from €1000 to €5000.
Please..if you see anyone doing the Camino the injustice of stealing or defacing, please report to the local Police Station, they will be happy to help stamp out this mindless action.
That's my rant over and Buen Camino to all the real Pilgrims who come to enjoy our wonderful countryside.

 

[MTtoCamino]

That is just pathetic. We live in a world where selfies & the need to prove what one does has taken over common sense. The concrete posts at least they couldn't pack those away, yet they still found a way to chisel off the shell. It is nice you can walk other routes & find them intact.
Can anyone describe the earlier markers? No don't if they discover them who knows what could happen to them.

 

[PengoQuest]

Great post Colin, thanks.

I finished up the Camino Frances last week (starting at St Jean Pied de Port) and I thought the Galician obelisks were easily the best way markers along the journey. Although I did find myself getting a little depressed when they first started appearing with their relentless and precise countdown of the remaining kilometers - meaning my Camino was fast drawing to a close.

The vandalizing you write about is especially pronounced in the last 20-30 kilometers, and looking back, it's amazing that the 100 kilometer to go plate is still in tact (well, it was there last week) when so many others later on are not.

But, sadly, the problem is not confined to Galicia. The scallop shells / arrows on just about every marker coming into Logrono also appear to have been souveniered. It often put me in two minds about which was the correct route when walking through there.

It's just very disappointing that the great work your and other local authorities do to make our journey that much more pleasurable is ruined in that way.

 

[movinmaggie]

Defacing is so insulting. I'll never quite understand how any thinking person can stoop to this. I did notice several 'Show Respect' signs during my walk. Ironic that they were all in English?? That does take in several countries.

 

[Wolfdog]

I will never understand how anyone could ever think this was OK or acceptable.

 

[Colin Botterman]

Hi, I live on the Camino near Pedrouzo and often walk our dogs along the Camino. It saddens me to see the new distance markers that the Galician government spent a huge amount of money to improve the Camino for Pilgrims and help them navigate have been (1), Vandalized... It seems that people think it is a great idea to lever off the distance plaque off of the markers, Presumably as a memento??? and (2) The mindless graffiti that has been plastered all across the stones. My question is... WHY???? I have spoken to our local Police and they inform me that they are aware of this mindless stupidity by some people, They also told me that anyone caught either defacing or stealing from the markers will be given a lovely Fine of from €1000 to €5000.
Please..if you see anyone doing the Camino the injustice of stealing or defacing, please report to the local Police Station, they will be happy to help stamp out this mindless action.
That's my rant over and Buen Camino to all the real Pilgrims who come to enjoy our wonderful countryside.

Following up on this post. There is an article in the local paper about this....
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...grinos-camino-frances/0003_201608L20C4991.htm