CONNECT TO PLACE
What does it mean to be and/or become connected to a place? The Camino de Santiago is one of the most well-traveled and deeply loved pilgrimage routes in the world. Yet few pilgrims get to know the permanent communities living along the way, or contribute to sustaining and preserving the landscape. This page is dedicated to bringing pilgrims closer to the landscape of the pilgrimage route through tips about local food, clean camping, waste collection services and initiatives, and local artisans working with natural materials.
SUPPORT LOCAL
The Camino de Santiago passes through a variety of landscapes- many of which are owned and used by farmers. These farmers, with deep ties to the land, are struggling to make farming viable.
The Camino offers a potential source of revenue for local farmers, through local, organic produce. It also offers revenue for artisans and makers trying to keep traditional crafts alive. The below map contains information about albergues and markets providing local, organic produce to pilgrims, along with unique tiendas selling hand-crafted, locally-produced souvenirs:
CLEAN THE CAMINO
As pilgrim numbers increase along the Camino de Santiago, waste is building up along the pilgrimage route. There is a need for pilgrims to become more mindful about leaving refuse, and particularly toilet paper, on the pilgrimage route. The initiatives below foster cleanliness and environmental awareness along the Camino. Please try your best to recycle when you can, and to pay attention to waste receptacles left along the path. If you can, think about picking up a piece of garbage you see lying around:
“This is the grass that grows wherever the land is
and the water is,
This is the common air that bathes the
globe.”