Pilgrim's Passport - Stamp from the issuing organization + first stamps in Porto

[Lu Zajickova]

Hello, everyone.

I got the pilgrim's passport delivered to my house prior to my camino as I am super excited to start the portuguese camino in two weeks. Just wanted to ask two things:

1, I ordered the passports from Casa Ivar and there's no stamp in the frame on the first page (issuing organization) - is that an issue?

2, We want to start the camino in Porto super early on Monday June, 28 and we won' be probably able to get the stamp in Porto - is it possible t get it the day before? We plan to arrive on Friday and enjoy the weekend over there. If yes, should I get two on Sunday so I keep the rule of two stamps per day?

Thanks a lot, this is my very first camino so a lot of questions (which I try to let go but some stay as this one ).

Best,

Lucie

 

[trecile]

You can get your first stamp at your accommodation if you want. The first stamp just shows where you started.

If yes, should I get two on Sunday so I keep the rule of two stamps per day?

You only need two stamps per day when you are within 100 km of Santiago - after Tui.

 

[davebugg]

We want to start the camino in Porto super early on Monday June, 28 and we won' be probably able to get the stamp in Porto - is it possible t get it the day before?

The Porto Cathedral (Se Catedral) is open on Sundays. Check the schedule. It would be a terrific place to visit as well as to get your initial sello.

Diocese do Porto | Catedral do Porto

www.diocese-porto.pt

 

[henrythedog]

Hello, everyone.

I got the pilgrim's passport delivered to my house prior to my camino as I am super excited to start the portuguese camino in two weeks. Just wanted to ask two things:

1, I ordered the passports from Casa Ivar and there's no stamp in the frame on the first page (issuing organization) - is that an issue?

2, We want to start the camino in Porto super early on Monday June, 28 and we won' be probably able to get the stamp in Porto - is it possible t get it the day before? We plan to arrive on Friday and enjoy the weekend over there. If yes, should I get two on Sunday so I keep the rule of two stamps per day?

Thanks a lot, this is my very first camino so a lot of questions (which I try to let go but some stay as this one ).

Best,

Lucie

Everything up to Tui is a souvenir. The two-stamps-per-day thereafter are important.

It’s worthwhile picking up another credential (many albergues and cathedrals have them) such that you’re not deterred from collecting sellos through lack of space. You can always attach plain paper in extremis.

It’s worth knowing the phrase ‘por favor; escribe la fecha de ayer/mañana’ to smooth the way through any bureaucratic issues. Bars/cafes etc rarely offer to date the sello anyway.

 

[Paintboy2]

You can get your first stamp at your accommodation if you want. The first stamp just shows where you started.


You only need two stamps per day when you are within 100 km of Santiago - after Tu

Or, from Vigo if you go up the coast. Either way is nice this time of year.

 

[OzAnnie]

Hi Lucie
I’m so happy for you. You haven’t got long to wait now. I hope you will let us know how it works out for you.
My first camino (2012) was also from Porto and is all a bit of a blur now, but there are so many post you can search for ideas etc using the search function above. It may help with ideas for the weekend in Porto. The more recent posts will give you more up to date info tho in respect to prices and available accommodation.

re your questions

1, I ordered the passports from Casa Ivar and there's no stamp in the frame on the first page (issuing organization) - is that an issue?

I would go to the cathedral on the weekend and get that stamp on the issuing frame you mention. (Ie starting point )

stamp in Porto - is it possible t get it the day before?

Definitely- also, as mentioned by poster above .. many stamps are souvenirs. So many places are proud of ‘their’ stamp and want to stamp your Credencials.. often I would end up with 3 or more in a day. Great to look back on to remember your day by day etc. Also if you think you might be getting a lot of stamps as you go along … when you find a place that has new Credencials available - buy another one from them.

plan to arrive on Friday and enjoy the weekend over there

Wow - lucky you.
So much to see and do. Must see the railway station (interior tiling etc) in Porto. Not far from the cathedral.
Also a couple of threads from some time ago - to give you some ideas on spending your weekend in Porto if you haven’t already got it sorted.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/five-hours-in-porto-what-to-do-see-eat-and-drink.30454/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/what-to-do-in-porto.43430/

A few ideas but prices etc and bus schedules etc mentioned will be out of date most likely.

Bom caminho/ buen camino

Annie.

 

[Myra Ramsay]

In 2017, I purchased my credential in the Cathedral In Porto. It was already stamped. I just added the date for the day I started walking. You could then use the credential you have once the first is full - easy to fill a credential if you chase up stamps wherever you stop throughout the day.

 

[Pilgrim_95]

Hey Lucie, glad to see another Czech pilgrim (judging based on the name). We are starting from Porto on the 2.7.

You can get stamps along the way in pubs/churches etc... Eventually, the Pilgrim's office is not that strict with the stamps. Also you only need 100km to receive a Compostela, so focus on the 2 stamps in Vigo and onwards.

 

[David Tallan]

You'll read in many of these threads the stamp in your credencial being called a sello. That's a great word to use once you've entered Spain. But if you are starting in Porto, it might be worth mentioning that in Portuguese they are referred to as a carimbo.

I wanted to get my first stamp in Porto at the cathedral, and I was kicking myself for not getting it the day before my departure, as I had to wait around until 9:00 am when the cathedral opened to get that first stamp. As others have mentioned, if the cathedral doesn't work out, there are other places in Porto to get your first stamp.

 

[Felicia V]

Hi Lucie
I’m so happy for you. You haven’t got long to wait now. I hope you will let us know how it works out for you.
My first camino (2012) was also from Porto and is all a bit of a blur now, but there are so many post you can search for ideas etc using the search function above. It may help with ideas for the weekend in Porto. The more recent posts will give you more up to date info tho in respect to prices and available accommodation.

re your questions

I would go to the cathedral on the weekend and get that stamp on the issuing frame you mention. (Ie starting point )

Definitely- also, as mentioned by poster above .. many stamps are souvenirs. So many places are proud of ‘their’ stamp and want to stamp your Credencials.. often I would end up with 3 or more in a day. Great to look back on to remember your day by day etc. Also if you think you might be getting a lot of stamps as you go along … when you find a place that has new Credencials available - buy another one from them.

Wow - lucky you.
So much to see and do. Must see the railway station (interior tiling etc) in Porto. Not far from the cathedral.
Also a couple of threads from some time ago - to give you some ideas on spending your weekend in Porto if you haven’t already got it sorted.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/five-hours-in-porto-what-to-do-see-eat-and-drink.30454/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/what-to-do-in-porto.43430/

A few ideas but prices etc and bus schedules etc mentioned will be out of date most likely.

Bom caminho/ buen camino

Annie.

Yes the train station not far from cathedral is Sao Bento, a marvelous example of tile work, but Porto is loaded with extremely beautiful examples of this art.

 

[lt56ny]

Hello, everyone.

I got the pilgrim's passport delivered to my house prior to my camino as I am super excited to start the portuguese camino in two weeks. Just wanted to ask two things:

1, I ordered the passports from Casa Ivar and there's no stamp in the frame on the first page (issuing organization) - is that an issue?

2, We want to start the camino in Porto super early on Monday June, 28 and we won' be probably able to get the stamp in Porto - is it possible t get it the day before? We plan to arrive on Friday and enjoy the weekend over there. If yes, should I get two on Sunday so I keep the rule of two stamps per day?

Thanks a lot, this is my very first camino so a lot of questions (which I try to let go but some stay as this one ).

Best,

Lucie

You can also get your first stamp (and they do have credentials but you have one) at the Porto Pilgrim Albergue.
The website makes no mention that they are closed now. In fact they recommend you make a reservation on their website for a bed. Gronze also shows the albergue as open.

Albergue de Peregrinos do Porto | Albergue de Peregrinos en Porto | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue de Peregrinos do Porto, en Porto: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

Buen Camino

 

[Vince Rollason]

Hello, everyone.

I got the pilgrim's passport delivered to my house prior to my camino as I am super excited to start the portuguese camino in two weeks. Just wanted to ask two things:

1, I ordered the passports from Casa Ivar and there's no stamp in the frame on the first page (issuing organization) - is that an issue?

2, We want to start the camino in Porto super early on Monday June, 28 and we won' be probably able to get the stamp in Porto - is it possible t get it the day before? We plan to arrive on Friday and enjoy the weekend over there. If yes, should I get two on Sunday so I keep the rule of two stamps per day?

Thanks a lot, this is my very first camino so a lot of questions (which I try to let go but some stay as this one ).

Best,

Lucie

Hi Lucie
I did Camino da Costa starting in Porto and got my passport stamped at the cathedral the day before I started. The rule of two stamps per day is only applicable for the last 100k
Buen Camino
Vince

 

[Grousedoctor]

Since you’re in Porto for the weekend, get your first stamp at the cathedral. Getting it early is no issue. Then, you’re all set for when you leave the city. We really enjoyed collecting “sellos” along The Way. As the Portuguese is relatively short, you can pick up stamps, more than just two a day, as a nice souvenir of your Camino. Just be sure to save a final space in your “Credencial” for your stamp in Santiago.
If it works out for you, let me recommend an overnight at Casa da Fernanda half way between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima. Great hospitality and delicious food. She’s very popular so I ‘d call ahead to see if she has space. Bom Caminho!

 

[Lu Zajickova]

Hey Lucie, glad to see another Czech pilgrim (judging based on the name). We are starting from Porto on the 2.7.

You can get stamps along the way in pubs/churches etc... Eventually, the Pilgrim's office is not that strict with the stamps. Also you only need 100km to receive a Compostela, so focus on the 2 stamps in Vigo and onwards.

Hey Albert, yeah, Czech over here. Thanks a lot and buen camino!

 

[Lu Zajickova]

Since you’re in Porto for the weekend, get your first stamp at the cathedral. Getting it early is no issue. Then, you’re all set for when you leave the city. We really enjoyed collecting “sellos” along The Way. As the Portuguese is relatively short, you can pick up stamps, more than just two a day, as a nice souvenir of your Camino. Just be sure to save a final space in your “Credencial” for your stamp in Santiago.
If it works out for you, let me recommend an overnight at Casa da Fernanda half way between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima. Great hospitality and delicious food. She’s very popular so I ‘d call ahead to see if she has space. Bom Caminho!

Hi there, thanks for all the information. We plan to take the costal route so Casa Fernando is not on ouur list even though I heard so much already about it.

 

[Lu Zajickova]

Hey everyone, thank you for so many recommendations and nice messages, can't wait to start!

 

[Scott Sweeney]

The Cathedral in Porto.

 

[ktchnofdngr]

On my second Camino, I was able to convince the customs person in the Madrid Airport to stamp my Credencial as my first sello/carimba on my way to SJPDP to start walking.

I'm starting from Porto on the 6th of July. Maybe we will see each other on the trail!

Bom Caminho!

Ruth

 

[David Hobson]

I have already completed a few Caminos and obtained the stamps and eventually the Compestellas. But what is the purpose of the box on the first stamping page of the passport? Previous passports have my first stamp of the Camino.
Thanks

 

[obinray]

I'm literally arriving in Santiago tomorrow and I never got a first stamp from the people who sent me my credencial.
I guess I'll hope for the best.

 

[Former member 92300]

I'm literally arriving in Santiago tomorrow and I never got a first stamp from the people who sent me my credencial.
I guess I'll hope for the best.

You don't need a stamp from the people who sent the credential. None of the credentials I had mailed to me have a stamp in them already - although the American Pilgrims Assoc did type in my name and basic info all nice and pretty! Your first stamp that you DID get is where they will count your pilgrimage as starting from. So - for example - I will arrive in SJPDP but probably won't get to the Pilgrims office because I will arrive when they are closed for lunch. If I get a stamp elsewhere in SJPDP - then SDC staff will know I started in SJPDP. If I don't get my first stamp until Orisson - they will believe I started in Orisson and count my walk as starting from Orisson. So - no worries! Whatever your first stamp is - is fine! As long as you got 2 stamps/day the last 100km then you will get a credential.

 

[SabsP]

I'm literally arriving in Santiago tomorrow and I never got a first stamp from the people who sent me my credencial.
I guess I'll hope for the best.

No worries, the Oficina de Peregrinos in Santiago is only interested in the two stamps a day for the last hundred kilometers.
I wish you a joyful arival tomorrow.
Please do say hi to St James from me.

I do know of some people who ask their first stamp from their local parish /priest. This is of course merely a symbolic act but it can be meaningful to them.

 

[pa’delante]

You can get your first stamp at your accommodation if you want. The first stamp just shows where you started.


You only need two stamps per day when you are within 100 km of Santiago - after Tui.

I didn’t know that. Good to know. 2 stamps per day -

 

[obinray]

You don't need a stamp from the people who sent the credential. None of the credentials I had mailed to me have a stamp in them already - although the American Pilgrims Assoc did type in my name and basic info all nice and pretty! Your first stamp that you DID get is where they will count your pilgrimage as starting from. So - for example - I will arrive in SJPDP but probably won't get to the Pilgrims office because I will arrive when they are closed for lunch. If I get a stamp elsewhere in SJPDP - then SDC staff will know I started in SJPDP. If I don't get my first stamp until Orisson - they will believe I started in Orisson and count my walk as starting from Orisson. So - no worries! Whatever your first stamp is - is fine! As long as you got 2 stamps/day the last 100km then you will get a credential.

Thank you for that comforting reply. I didn't get a stamp where I started because I didn't realize I had to ask for it everywhere. I assumed if they knew I was a pilgrim it would be offered, especially at the start! But no matter, I have a stamp from my first stop, which was well over 700km from Santiago. I wrote The proper starting place in the info section with my name though.