Way marker for Camino de Santiago unveiled at historic Durham landmark

Members of Durham County Council and visitors from A Coruña in northwestern Spain
-Credit: (Image: Durham County Council)


A way marker for one of the world's most famous and ancient pilgrimages has been unveiled at the ancient ruins of a County Durham priory

Approximately 400,000 people walk the Camino de Santiago every year, which ends in the northwestern Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. In 2019, a 22-mile stretch of the Camino network (called the Camino Inglés) opened in County Durham, connecting the ruins of Finchale Priory to Escomb Saxon Church, passing Durham Cathedral, Auckland Castle and Binchester Roman Fort on the way.

12th-century hermit Godric is said to have made one of the earliest recorded pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela, starting at Finchale Priory and landing at the port city of A Coruña in Galicia, ahead of the final 40 miles to Santiago. This week, Durham County Council welcomed representatives from the Spanish city's council to unveil away marker for the world-famous trail at Finchale Priory.

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The partnership between the two councils is aimed at highlighting connections between the Camino pilgrimage route and the Northern Saints route in County Durham, in the hope of increasing economic benefits and tourism levels across A Coruña, County Durham, and the wider North East.

Coun Amanda Hopgood, leader of Durham County Council, said: "It’s fantastic to welcome representatives from A Coruña to County Durham and showcase our beautiful landscapes and attractions as well as our shared cultural heritage. Durham has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries and our shared work will help to preserve and promote this route for centuries to come.

Members of Durham County Council and visitors from A Coruña in northwestern Spain
Members of Durham County Council and visitors from A Coruña in northwestern Spain -Credit:Durham County Council

"This collaboration will also build on our successful Northern Saints Trails to help strengthen our position as a destination to make a pilgrimage to. These serve as a great introduction to what the region has to offer visitors on their own modern-day pilgrimage and cement our reputation as the culture county."

Antonio Leira, Camino deputee at A Coruña County, said: "I visited County Durham for the first time in 2016, and I’m so proud to see how the partnership with County Durham has grown. This trip has been one of our dreams because a Camino Milestone has been placed in Finchale, marking the start of the Camino Inglés de Santiago."