Portugal - Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Routes in Portugal

"The cultural property called Routes of Santiago de Compostela in Portugal stands as the Portuguese contribution to the most famous pilgrimage of Western Europe, benefiting from physical vicinity to Compostela and from the extensive road network of the peninsular Northwest. The impact of the discovery of the Apostle's tomb in Compostela (which occurred in the decade of 20 of the 9th century) preceded the independence of Portugal; the oldest record in national territory dates from probably 862 (less than half a century after the above-mentioned discovery), year in which was consecrated the Church of Santiago, in the village Castelo de Neiva, Viana do Castelo municipality. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Portuguese Routes were sought by domestic and foreign Jacobean pilgrims who left numerous records and reports, and an extensive and original documentary heritage is still kept, mainly referring pious legacies for the construction of public buildings to assist the pilgrims. This is the case of S. Gonçalo de Amarante, renowned builder of the medieval bridge over the river Tamega, whose legend stands alongside with those of Santo Domingo."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List




Porto Cathedral is an important starting point of Portuguese road to Santiago de Compostela. Thanks to Danny of Portugal.