Which pilgrim passport/credencial has the nicest design?

[Sam Hardman]

People often talk about which of their stamps they like the most, but there are also many different designs of credencial. Last year I used the French credencial from the pilgrim's office in SJPdP and in 2017 I used the credencial provided by the cathedral in Santiago. I like both of these but also met people from all over the world with really beautifully designed credencials which made me a bit jealous! In particular the I really liked the Slovenian and British designs. Clearly a lot of thought has gone into them.

This year I am walking the Camino Primitivo and have already ordered a British designed credencial to add to my collection.

So, which credencial do you like the best?

 

[MaryLynn]

I like the one issued from the Canadian Company of Pilgrims because it identifies me as a Canadian.

 

[PiryatJos]

I had the one from CSJ in the UK last year. I think they've updated it and now looks much nicer. Mine was fine for functionality. Clear maps and lots of space. I liked the SJPDP ones better. I think I'm going to be getting mine straight from that Pilgrim's Office in September this year.

 

[scruffy1]

The nicest one I ever saw was years ago from the CSJ in England - one had to be a member which was/is(?) very expensive and it was big really big something like one would expect for a classical Grand Tour.

 

[Moorwalker]

I love the New Zealand one with the silver fern. And second to that, the Irish one. I've wondered whether it's OK to use one from a country that isn't your own.

 

[trecile]

I asked for photos of credentials in a thread a while ago. You might find one that you like. I also remember a thread about the new Portuguese credential with a lovely design.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/post-a-picture-of-your-credential.59776/

 

[naplesdon]

A piece of notebook paper

 

[dougfitz]

I love the New Zealand one with the silver fern. And second to that, the Irish one. I've wondered whether it's OK to use one from a country that isn't your own.

Well, I have used the credencial provided at the pilgrim office at SJJPP or one of the Spanish variants. Never been a problem!!

 

[kiwi-couple]

I love the New Zealand one with the silver fern. And second to that, the Irish one. I've wondered whether it's OK to use one from a country that isn't your own.

I didn't know there was a New Zealand credential. Where do you get one from?

 

[tpmchugh]

People often talk about which of their stamps they like the most, but there are also many different designs of credencial. Last year I used the French credencial from the pilgrim's office in SJPdP and in 2017 I used the credencial provided by the cathedral in Santiago. I like both of these but also met people from all over the world with really beautifully designed credencials which made me a bit jealous! In particular the I really liked the Slovenian and British designs. Clearly a lot of thought has gone into them.

This year I am walking the Camino Primitivo and have already ordered a British designed credencial to add to my collection.

So, which credencial do you like the best?

Hands down no argument win for the Irish credencial. Even hospitaleros commented on it being the nicest. Have a look at it on the Irish Society web page https://www.caminosociety.com/. Just had a look myself and it appears they have changed the design. Its even better now

 

[Sam Hardman]

Hands down no argument win for the Irish credencial. Even hospitaleros commented on it being the nicest. Have a look at it on the Irish Society web page https://www.caminosociety.com/. Just had a look myself and it appears they have changed the design. Its even better now

I really like the look of the Irish one. I never saw one in real life though, even though I met a few Irish people on the Camino last year.

 

[Sam Hardman]

I asked for photos of credentials in a thread a while ago. You might find one that you like. I also remember a thread about the new Portuguese credential with a lovely design.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/post-a-picture-of-your-credential.59776/

Thanks for this. I find it really interesting to see other people's credencials. Every one is unique.

 

[Sam Hardman]

The nicest one I ever saw was years ago from the CSJ in England - one had to be a member which was/is(?) very expensive and it was big really big something like one would expect for a classical Grand Tour.

It is quite expensive (30 pounds a year) but I was lucky and was given membership as a gift last Christmas so I will get a credencial from them this year. I think I will renew my membership despite the cost as the albergue at Gaucelmo was one of my favourites and the organisation does really good work. They are also strugling for money at the moment (deficits for the post couple of years) and need support to survive.

 

[Sam Hardman]

I love the New Zealand one with the silver fern. And second to that, the Irish one. I've wondered whether it's OK to use one from a country that isn't your own.

I would think you could use it if you could get one. Loads of people use the French one and Spanish ones after all. I amagine it would be quite hard to get a New Zealand one outside of the country though.

 

[Dara H]

Hands down no argument win for the Irish credencial. Even hospitaleros commented on it being the nicest. Have a look at it on the Irish Society web page https://www.caminosociety.com/. Just had a look myself and it appears they have changed the design. Its even better now

As far as I know, the booklet from the Irish Camino Society remains the same. What is new is that they now also provide a fold-out credencial. It is a lovely credencial.

 

[tpmchugh]

As far as I know, the booklet from the Irish Camino Society remains the same. What is new is that they now also provide a fold-out credencial. It is a lovely credencial.

The first time I saw the fold out it had the same design as the booklet. The new design is great. Still the best looking by far of any credencial

 

[Moorwalker]

I would think you could use it if you could get one. Loads of people use the French one and Spanish ones after all. I amagine it would be quite hard to get a New Zealand one outside of the country though.

That's true, I have a Spanish one tucked away ready for next year, which I got when I bought a couple of books from Ivan. I didn't want to upset people by using one that I wasn't entitled to, although I did live in New Zealand for several years.

 

[Deleted member 397]

I was a member of CSJ for a few years and got many comments on my bright yellow credencial i now use the compact white one from oz. From memory the Spanish one seemed very dull and unimaginative

 

[PiryatJos]

It is quite expensive (30 pounds a year)

You can just get the credencial for £5 as a non-member. I just wanted to be prepared which is why I got mine in advance. Unless I was starting somewhere weird and not SJPDP I might have picked one up this time.

 

[PiryatJos]

The first time I saw the fold out it had the same design as the booklet. The new design is great. Still the best looking by far of any credencial

I met some Irish pilgrims last year and they didn't like the fact it was a book. I didn't think it was anything outstanding just okay but if it's the same design in a layout form then I will say it's an improvement.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

It is quite expensive (30 pounds a year) but I was lucky and was given membership as a gift last Christmas so I will get a credencial from them this year. I think I will renew my membership despite the cost as the albergue at Gaucelmo was one of my favourites and the organisation does really good work. They are also strugling for money at the moment (deficits for the post couple of years) and need support to survive.

You can always sponsor (or co-sponsor) a week at Gaucelmo. When I worked there the senior Hospitalero wrote to that week's sponsor and told them what was going on (refugio/village) how many Pilgrims had boarded there etc. Don't know how much it costs now but if you're feeling magnanimous . . .

 

[Sam Hardman]

You can always sponsor (or co-sponsor) a week at Gaucelmo. When I worked there the senior Hospitalero wrote to that week's sponsor and told them what was going on (refugio/village) how many Pilgrims had boarded there etc. Don't know how much it costs now but if you're feeling magnanimous . . .

That‘s interesting. Sponsoring the albergue is something I never would have thought of but would consider if I could afford it. I really think the albergue in Rabanal is a special place on the camino. I am hoping to volunteer there too, maybe next year.

 

[trecile]

A Slovakian pilgrim showed me her credential, and it's quite lovely.

 

[PiryatJos]

The Slovak one is pretty.

 

[Sam Hardman]

A Slovakian pilgrim showed me her credential, and it's quite lovely. View attachment 59631

I love this!

 

[La Rubia]

After walking with the APOC credential and the one that Ivar sends, last year I walked with the Irish one to honor my triple diaspora roots. I considered the Canadian to honor my Canadian roadie husband (he has a bad back and can't walk, but has been my roadie for three Caminos now and has his own amazing adventures along the way), but it's Comic Sans, and I just can't do that. Sincerely praying for a re-design, maybe before my 2020 walk?

 

[trecile]

but it's Comic Sans, and I just can't do that.

 

[tpmchugh]

I met some Irish pilgrims last year and they didn't like the fact it was a book. I didn't think it was anything outstanding just okay but if it's the same design in a layout form then I will say it's an improvement.

Have to say, they are the odd ones out. Also, note that I was referring also to the fanfold credencial, yes, we have both and the new design on the fanfold is great

 

[jbear]

I love the New Zealand one with the silver fern. And second to that, the Irish one. I've wondered whether it's OK to use one from a country that isn't your own.

My first camino I used a German one and a French one. The one I ordered from American Pilgrims got lost on the way over. ( I had intended to use that one and a French one from the office in SJPdP) No problems with either.

A piece of notebook paper

Depending on who is at the Pilgrims Office that could be an issue if you want a Compostela.

 

[akula415]

Wow, I thought many of the same things. I only did the last 100 of the Frances this year. I too noticed all the variety. I actually (with lots of effort) filled two whole credenciales. I actually like the unique design of the credencial issued by the Confraternity based in Madrid. They will also give you your first stamp. It has a sketch of the church (Santiago y San Juan Bautista, Madrid) on the rear. I do like the unique lettering at the top. My second credencial was the typical one offered by the Cathedral (read, the black one). Next time I want to use the UK Society of Saint James credencial or the one offered (with typed name) issued by American Pilgrims on the Camino.

 

[peregrina2000]

Don’t forget the lovely credential designed by the Via Lusitana as the official Portuguese credential.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/portuguese-credential-has-arrived.60265/

As you will see if you read the thread, the cathedral in Lisbon, but NOT the cathedral in Porto, was selling them in spring 2019. I wonder if anyone can tell us whether the Porto cathedral has changed its mind and has decided to sell the Portuguese credential. Seems like a no-brainer to me!

 

[trecile]

Don’t forget the lovely credential designed by the Via Lusitana as the official Portuguese credential.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/portuguese-credential-has-arrived.60265/

As you will see if you read the thread, the cathedral in Lisbon, but NOT the cathedral in Porto, was selling them in spring 2019. I wonder if anyone can tell us whether the Porto cathedral has changed its mind and has decided to sell the Portuguese credential. Seems like a no-brainer to me!

I hope that they have these in Porto now, I really like that a design. Where in Porto do they sell credenciales?

 

[akula415]

Someone had a Croatian credencial with the cross of St James on the cover, that looks awesome. I tend to like any that are unique (e.g. not the mainstream ones). Followed by the UK Society of St James passport.

I think the ones you can purchase before your walk are:
UK Saint James Society
American Pilgrims on the Camino
Credencial from Ireland
Here on the Forum shop

I myself should have got one sent to me before departing, it would have saved lots of time.

 

[Dàoest]

I considered the Canadian (credencial), but it's Comic Sans, and I just can't do that.

Comic Sans walks into a bar.

The barman says ..
"We don't serve your type in here"!