Last Stamp

[Hawkeye]

Does the pilgrim office provide the last stamp when obtaining the Compostela? Just trying to plan the completion of my credencial. Thanks.

 

[Theatregal]

Yes, you receive your last stamp at the pilgrim office.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Interesting. Yes, you receive the cathedral/pilgrim office stamp when receiving your compostela and often pilgrim passports have a special box/place for it. But that may not quite be the end of the story, especially if you are then going further west to Muxia/Finisterre. Or if you stay further nights in Santiago then new stamps may be added at your albergue/hostel/hotel. Or you might visit the Santiago Museo das Peregrinaciones to contemplate pilgrimage more generally - and add its stamp too.. that's a favourite last stamp of mine.

 

[t2andreo]

Actually, the Pilgrim Office affixes TWO sellos to your credencial.

One goes over the handwritten entries, typically on the inside front cover to signify that this credencial is now CLOSED and may not be used again to seek a Compostela. This prevents 'double-dipping."

The second sello goes in place, as the final sello in your chronological progression of sellos.

People who are seeking only sellos, and not a Compostela or other certificate, only get the second stamp. This holds open the possibility of their changing their mind the next day and returning for a Compostela... It happens.

On the other hand, the "solo sello" folks do not have to wait in the longish queues. Once they tell the security fellow that they only desire the sello as evidence that they arrived at the office and final destination, they are immediately taken care of. This reduces the number of folks waiting.

Hope this helps.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Actually, the Pilgrim Office affixes TWO sellos to your credencial.

One goes over the handwritten entries, typically on the inside front cover to signify that this credencial is now CLOSED and may not be used again to seek a Compostela. This prevents 'double-dipping."

The second sello goes in place, as the final sello in your chronological progression of sellos.

People who are seeking only sellos, and not a Compostela or other certificate, only get the second stamp. This holds open the possibility of their changing their mind the next day and returning for a Compostela... It happens.

On the other hand, the "solo sello" folks do not have to wait in the longish queues. Once they tell the security fellow that they only desire the sello as evidence that they arrived at the office and final destination, they are immediately taken care of. This reduces the number of folks waiting.

Hope this helps.

Spot on t2andreo.

 

[GlendaMac]

Have just been to pilgrims office where I merely wanted a stamp to say I'd arrived- did not want a Compostela. Security guard turned us away saying stamps are only for Compostelas.
Perhaps things have changed. He was very adamant we were not getting in the door.

 

[RJM]

Have just been to pilgrims office where I merely wanted a stamp to say I'd arrived- did not want a Compostela. Security guard turned us away saying stamps are only for Compostelas.
Perhaps things have changed. He was very adamant we were not getting in the door.

There's a tourism office near the cathedral that will stamp your credentials if you want a final stamp in Santiago. There's also the pilgrim's house. They have a stamp as well.

 

[Bradypus]

Have just been to pilgrims office where I merely wanted a stamp to say I'd arrived- did not want a Compostela. Security guard turned us away saying stamps are only for Compostelas.
Perhaps things have changed. He was very adamant we were not getting in the door.

Odd. I asked for "solo sello" in January and had no problem receiving one. Perhaps the security man had not been properly briefed?

 

[Flog]

One goes over the handwritten entries, typically on the inside front cover to signify that this credencial is now CLOSED and may not be used again to seek a Compostela.

Well no, not always. This was touched on recently and I think it's worth mentioning again. If there's room enough in a 'closed' credential for more stamps, it can be used again for another camino and the new set of stamps 'closed' end to end with the cathedral stamp when it's presented again for another compostela. Veteran pilgrims frequently do this to use up a partially full credential and might even squeeze as many as three short caminos in the same credential.

 

[t2andreo]

I stand corrected. Thank you.

Tom