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LA CANSERA DEL CAMINO
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LA CANSERA DEL CAMINO
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WHAT'S THAT?
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The past centuries witnessed an important spirit of help and solidarity that today has disappeared.
On the Camino de Santiago de Compostela especially this hospitality was one of the most indispensable elements for pilgrims on their journey to the Apostle site.
At the time, there was no network of accommodation like in our modern time. There were no public or private hostels, hotels, cottages and other shelters that line the French Way and have started to spread onto the Camino Biscay (to the north) and Seville Camino (the Plata). If we turn back and if we look a little into history books, we will realize the importance of hospitality in a time where the pilgrimage to the end of the Earth was rarely known and quite unusual.
Pilgrims left their houses. They were, many times, victims of highwaymen . During their journeys, when they didn't sleep in the light of the stars, they were hosted by peasants. In return for a few days of rest and food, they used to help with everyday tasks. Sometimes if a pilgrim was a mason, carpenter, blacksmith, he would share his knowledge in exchange for the good care of his benefactors.
Later, the development of the monasteries and convents allowed the pilgrims to find shelter, health care and a table around which the tradition of welcoming and the exchange of stories and ideas could be enjoyed.
Then came the "Hospitals". Shelters and rest places, where pilgrims and anyone who needed care were also cured.
