In the year 829, King Alfonso II of Asturias set out from his capital in Oviedo to verify a remarkable discovery: the tomb of St James the Apostle, found in a remote corner of Galicia. The path he walked became the Camino Primitivo - the Original Way - the oldest pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and the foundation upon which all other Caminos were built.
📜 History & Significance
When word reached Oviedo that a hermit had discovered an ancient tomb illuminated by mysterious lights, King Alfonso II journeyed west to investigate. Finding the relics authentic, he ordered the construction of a church over the site - the first shrine of Santiago. His route from the Asturian capital became the template for all future pilgrimages.
The Camino Primitivo earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2015, recognizing its unique historical significance as the original path to Santiago. While never as heavily trafficked as the later Camino Francés, it remained an important route for pilgrims from northern Spain and those who valued its connection to the pilgrimage's origins.
🥾 Route Overview
The Camino Primitivo stretches 311 km from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela, typically completed in 12-14 days. It is widely considered the most challenging of the major Caminos, crossing the rugged Cantabrian Mountains through remote terrain with significant elevation changes.
From Oviedo, the route climbs steadily into the mountains, passing through the historic towns of Grado, Salas, and Tineo. The highest point, the Alto del Acebo, reaches over 1,100 meters before the descent into Galicia. At Lugo, pilgrims can walk the complete Roman walls before the final stages to Santiago.
☩ Key Pilgrimage Sites
The Cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo houses the Cámara Santa, containing sacred relics including the Holy Sudarium (believed to be Christ's burial face cloth) and crosses from the Visigothic era. Medieval pilgrims made the Oviedo visit a standard part of the Santiago pilgrimage.
The route passes through Lugo, whose complete Roman walls encircle a cathedral built over a sacred forest where ancient Celts worshipped - a site consecrated to the Blessed Sacrament, perpetually exposed since 1669.
📚 Further Reading
Curated resources to help you research and plan your pilgrimage on the Camino Primitivo.
