Replace a Lost Compostela?

[Brian K]

Hi,

Not sure if this is possible. I walked my first Camino in November of 2015 and arrived in Santiago in Early December. Like most first time pilgrims I was excited to get my Compostela. I have since misplaced both my Compostela and Pilgrim Passport from that Camino. My first Camino was a very powerful and life changing event for me and I would very muck like to get a replacement for it. Does anyone have a contact at the Pilgrims office who could answer this question for me. Wasn't sure if they kept a record of all the Compostelas that are issued. As I also misplaced my Pilgrim Passport I'm not sure of the exact day I arrived but I think is was December 5th 2015.

Any insight or help would be greatly appreciated. I will be in Santiago in December this year as I plan to walk the Frances again in November.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Kanga]

I don't have personal knowledge Brian, hopefully one of our members who has worked in the Pilgrims Office may step in, but I doubt there is much that can be done. As far as I know only statistics are kept (numbers of arrivals, countries from where they have come, starting place, etc) and not individual details. It would be an overwhelming amount of data, considering it would include millions of people if you count the cumulative totals since it was introduced in the 1980s.

 

[Brian K]

I don't have personal knowledge Brian, hopefully one of our members who has worked in the Pilgrims Office may step in, but I doubt there is much that can be done. As far as I know only statistics are kept (numbers of arrivals, countries from where they have come, starting place, etc) and not individual details. It would be an overwhelming amount of data, considering it would include millions of people if you count the cumulative totals since it was introduced in the 1980s.

Appreciate your feedback Kanga. I think it's probably a lost cause but thought I'd check!
Thanks
Brian

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @Brian K Given that you have lost both the Compostela and the Passport you no longer have any evidence that you walked the Camino. As I recall when you present your Passport it is stamped in the last box as evidence that you have completed your Camino and you are then issued your Compostela. I agree with Kanga its unlikely that you can get a replacement.
Mine are in two frames hanging on my study wall. Cheers

 

[Brian K]

Hola @Brian K Given that you have lost both the Compostela and the Passport you no longer have any evidence that you walked the Camino. As I recall when you present your Passport it is stamped in the last box as evidence that you have completed your Camino and you are then issued your Compostela. I agree with Kanga its unlikely that you can get a replacement.
Mine are in two frames hanging on my study wall. Cheers

Appreciate the Feedback Mike. The sad thing is that at one point I had them both in a frame on the wall but it fell and broke.

 

[Richard Smith]

A good excuse (opportunity) to walk it a second time?

 

[Brian K]

A good excuse (opportunity) to walk it a second time?

Yep!

 

[jrewins]

Hi,

Not sure if this is possible. I walked my first Camino in November of 2015 and arrived in Santiago in Early December. Like most first time pilgrims I was excited to get my Compostela. I have since misplaced both my Compostela and Pilgrim Passport from that Camino. My first Camino was a very powerful and life changing event for me and I would very muck like to get a replacement for it. Does anyone have a contact at the Pilgrims office who could answer this question for me. Wasn't sure if they kept a record of all the Compostelas that are issued. As I also misplaced my Pilgrim Passport I'm not sure of the exact day I arrived but I think is was December 5th 2015.

Any insight or help would be greatly appreciated. I will be in Santiago in December this year as I plan to walk the Frances again in November.

Thanks,
Brian

Brian
While I agree with the others that it is unlikely that you can replace the Compostela without having the requisite credentials from your Camino, it certainly is worth an email to the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago to ask. They are very busy, so it takes a couple of days for them to reply, but in my experience, they do. I misplaced my Compostela while returning from the Camino, but I still had my credential, so the office was able to replace it. The contact info for the Pilgrim's office is:

Oficinadelperegrino@catedraldesantiago.es

or the physical address:

Oficina de Peregrinos
Rúa das Carretas, 33,
15705 Santiago de Compostela,
A Coruña, Spain

Good luck!

Jeff (from California)

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Something like this happened to me @Brian K —— I did try writing to the pilgrim office but did not receive an answer, and I gather that while they used to be able to reply by post, that has not been possible in a while.
So, when I was fortunate enough to walk a second, shorter camino, I presented myself to the office and explained the situation. They looked me up (because we are all in the system) and wrote out a new certificate for me.
There was much weeping on both sides of the counter.
I wish you an opportunity for a second journey.

 

[Brian K]

Brian
While I agree with the others that it is unlikely that you can replace the Compostela without having the requisite credentials from your Camino, it certainly is worth an email to the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago to ask. They are very busy, so it takes a couple of days for them to reply, but in my experience, they do. I misplaced my Compostela while returning from the Camino, but I still had my credential, so the office was able to replace it. The contact info for the Pilgrim's office is:

Oficinadelperegrino@catedraldesantiago.es

or the physical address:

Oficina de Peregrinos
Rúa das Carretas, 33,
15705 Santiago de Compostela,
A Coruña, Spain

Good luck!

Jeff (from California)

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it.

 

[Brian K]

Something like this happened to me @Brian K —— I did try writing to the pilgrim office but did not receive an answer, and I gather that while they used to be able to reply by post, that has not been possible in a while.
So, when I was fortunate enough to walk a second, shorter camino, I presented myself to the office and explained the situation. They looked me up (because we are all in the system) and wrote out a new certificate for me.
There was much weeping on both sides of the counter.
I wish you an opportunity for a second journey.

Thanks for the info. I am currently walking the Francis again and will try this!!

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Thanks for the info. I am currently walking the Francis again and will try this!!

I was able to give them my starting date, my completion date, and, of course, my standard passport.
I’m sure you will recall your dates — they seem to stick with us, at least the first caminos…
Wishing you very well.
PG (heh… I should rename myself PG Tips).