The Compostela: the pilgrim's certificate on the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago is one of the oldest and most famous pilgrimage routes in the world, culminating in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Here, in the cathedral where the remains of the apostle St. James are said to lie, pilgrims receive a very special reward at the end of the Camino: the Compostela.

What is the Compostela?

The Compostela (mistakenly called Compostelana) is an official certificate issued by the Pilgrim's Office of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This document certifies that the pilgrim has completed at least 100 kilometres (62 miles) on foot or on horseback, or 200 kilometres (124 miles) by bicycle, to reach Santiago de Compostela. Beyond the official recognition, the Compostela has a value of personal and/or spiritual achievement for many.

The tradition of awarding certificates to pilgrims’ dates back to the Middle Ages. At that time, pilgrims arriving in Santiago received a testimonium certifying their pilgrimage.

How to obtain the Compostela

To receive the Compostela, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Minimum distance: You must have completed at least 100 kilometres on foot or on horseback, or 200 kilometres by bicycle. Among the various official Pilgrims' Routes to Santiago that you can follow in Spain, the Compostela is only awarded for those that end in Santiago.
2. Pilgrim's credential: Along the Camino, you will have to stamp your credential (also called passport) every day. You can do this in hostels, churches, town halls and other establishments, and its function is to demonstrate the authenticity of your journey.
3. Daily stamps: You must stamp your credential at least twice a day for the last 100 kilometres (or 200 kilometres by bike). This way you legitimise that you have done the route continuously.
4. Motivation: Once in Santiago and after presenting your credential, you will have to indicate whether your motivation is religious or not. Currently, even if you indicate that your motivation is not religious, you will be awarded the Compostela.

Where to collect the Compostela

The Compostela is given in person and individually at the International Pilgrim's Centre, Rúa Carretas, 33, in Santiago de Compostela, open daily from 9am to 7pm. 

Due to the high influx of pilgrims at certain times of the year, the Pilgrim's Office has provided an online system to speed up the process. These are the steps to follow:

1. Registration: before arriving at the Pilgrim's Office, go to the website and register by filling in all the information requested (route, start, name, ....) or scan the QR code that you will find in the office. After this procedure, you will receive a code.
2. Ticket: once at the Pilgrim's Office, pick up the ticket using your code and your turn will appear on screen.
3. QR code: a QR code will appear on the ticket where you can check the status of the queue to see if your turn is coming up. On busy days, you may not get your Compostela until the next day.
4. Receive your Compostela: when it's your turn, go to the Pilgrim's Office and receive your Compostela.

The Distance Certificate

In addition to the Compostela, you can also get another document which certifies the number of kilometres you have covered. The Distance Certificate details the starting point and date, the end point and date, and the number of kilometres you have covered. You can also get this document in Santiago, at the Pilgrim's Welcome Office, or once at home by writing to certificadodedistancia@catedraldesantiago.es.

The Distance Certificate is a beautiful souvenir of the Camino, printed on parchment paper with a text in Latin and illustrations.