New Compostela and Certificate

[JohnnieWalker]

The Pilgrims' Office in Santiago is now issuing a new Compostela for those who travel by foot, horseback or bicycle the required distance for religious or spiritual reasons.

A new Certificate is also available for those who travel for purely sporting, cultural or leisure reasons.

These documents replace the previous Compostela and Certificate which are no longer issued.

Of course these are "just pieces of paper" and don't have the same importance as the entire pilgrimage experience or indeed the memories contained in the stamps on the credencial but they are rather nice

 

[Kanga]

They look great.

 

[RoryGentry]

I just received the "sporting" one about a week ago. Nice and colorful! My friends got one (sporting) at the same time that had a different picture on it.

 

[Christine15]

Look forward to attaining the new Compostela when I walk again next year or 2016.

 

[tyrrek]

These look great. Hope to get my hands on one in the next couple of weeks!

Just out of interest, do you know how long the last design was around, and approximately how many are 'in circulation'?

 

[Honey Badger]

Thanks for clarifying this!! I got the new one on April 29, 2014 and was wondering if they had given me the wrong one since I did indicate for religious reasons. Though this new one is BEAUTIFUL!

 

[sriyantra]

Can you please tell me the size of the Compostela. Is it A4? Just doing some NON planning to get it home safe, sound and flat. Thanks

 

[Al the optimist]

Thanks for posting John. Do you know what prompted the change?
siryantra - Yes they are A4. There is a shop nearby that will laminate it for you if you want.

 

[RoryGentry]

Just put it in the standard cardboard tube. It works for every other pilgrim on the trail! When I got home, I unrolled my documents and left them under a book for a day to flatten them out. No damage.

I think you run a MUCH greater risk of damaging them if you try to keep them flat in your pack.

 

[thetravellingpen]

Just put it in the standard cardboard tube. It works for every other pilgrim on the trail! When I got home, I unrolled my documents and left them under a book for a day to flatten them out. No damage.

I think you run a MUCH greater risk of damaging them if you try to keep them flat in your pack.

Do they sell the tubes for transportation there?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Yes, the Pilgrim Office sells tubes, and many of the stores around do so as well.

 

[RoryGentry]

Do they sell the tubes for transportation there?

Yes. You can buy sturdy cardboard tubes with plastic end caps at many tourist shops, but you can also buy the tube at the counter when you receive your compostela. Personally, I recommend buying it at the counter. I bought mine there simply because I'm sure it helps with the operating cost of the credential office. Since they are giving me the compostela, I felt like they deserved my purchase. (They only cost 1 or 2 euros.)

 

[Al the optimist]

If you are continuing your walk them make sure you have a plastic bag to keep the tube dry. In 2012 on the way to Finisterra mine got wet.

 

[RoryGentry]

If you are continuing your walk them make sure you have a plastic bag to keep the tube dry. In 2012 on the way to Finisterra mine got wet.

Wow- you must have gotten soaked! Your advice is solid... I always keep several quart and gallon size ziplock bags in my pack to keep things dry, organized, etc... It's a lightweight item that pays huge dividends when you find that you need one! On my last trip we wound up using several of them at the beach in Finisterre while collecting seashells.

 

[camster]

Anyone knows where the design and pictures for the new compostela come from?

 

[Anamya]

From a few different places:

- Santiago on top of Compostela: from Codex Calixtino, the original medieval "guide" of the Camino;
- Flowery art on the side: from "Breviário de Miranda", a prayer book from the 15th Century;
- Angel image: From "Tumbo A", one of the ancient and most valuable manuscripts kept in the Cathedral Library.

 

[camster]

From a few different places:

- Santiago on top of Compostela: from Codex Calixtino, the original medieval "guide" of the Camino;
- Flowery art on the side: from "Breviário de Miranda", a prayer book from the 15th Century;
- Angel image: From "Tumbo A", one of the ancient and most valuable manuscripts kept in the Cathedral Library.

Thank you so much!