We continue to review the monthly numbers of pilgrims. Still in a difficult moment of Covid-19, with perimeter closures between Autonomous Communities and on the border with Portugal, the Camino has begun a slow recovery in April. The wishes and dreams of thousands of pilgrims are waiting for any possibility to leave … and some are already leaving!
The Compostela was collected by 977 pilgrims: 511 women and 466 men. Of them 951 traveled the Camino on foot; 24 by bicycle and 2 on horseback.
Their nationalities were: 783 Spain; 41 Germany; 24 United States; 20 Portugal; 16 France; 13 Italy; 8 Venezuela; 6 Argentina; 6 Colombia; 6 Holland; 5 China; 5 Switzerland; 5 Belgium; 4 Ukraine; 4 Brazil; 3 Austria; 3 Ireland; 3 Romania; 2 United Kingdom; 2 Poland.
The most traveled was the French Way (488); followed by Central Portuguese (192), English (73); the Vía de la Plata (63); the Primitive (60); the Portuguese for the Coast (40); the Camino del Norte (25); Fisterra-Muxía (15); other paths (12) and the Winter Path (9).
The main starting points were in Galicia: Sarria, Tuim O Cebreiro. Ferrol, Ourense, Lugo and Vigo; but cities in Portugal such as Porto or Valença do Monho were also starting points, as well as many cities and towns in Spain such as: León, Ponferrada, Oviedo or Pamplona.
There were no incidents and the pilgrims who arrived in Santiago did so following the hygiene and safety regulations and respecting the restrictions. In Galicia and Compostela the situation has improved a lot, it being possible to spend the night in all the centers of the Camino, to use the hotel services, to pick up the Compostela, to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass and to visit the cathedral.
These are not good times for pilgrimage and we ask everyone to respect the rules and prohibitions at all times. To those who respect them and do not put their health or that of others at risk, we welcome them.
