As we explained, a Compostela is the accreditation granted by the Catholic Church to any pilgrim who has made at least the last 100 kms of the Camino de Santiago on foot or on horseback with a spiritual or religious sense.

To get the Compostela, the pilgrim must first have the Credencial of the Camino de Santiago, which is a small book in the form of an accordion and must have the authorized seals that certify that the walker passed by a certain route on the way. That seal is obtained in hostels, bars, churches, etc. In a certain way, the Credential is the descendant of the safe conduct that was given to the pilgrims during the Middle Ages and that had the same purpose as today’s credential.

Once the pilgrim finishes the Camino de Santiago, he can retrieve his Compostela at the International Pilgrims’ Reception Centre.