The Milestones on the Camino de Santiago
Milestones on the Camino de Santiago
Milestones are one of the most iconic elements of Roman roads.
But, what are milestones?
Milestones are cylindrical or oval columns made of granite or stone, typically around 2 meters tall, placed on the left side of the roads. They served as markers to indicate the kilometer point and also to identify “who ordered the construction or repair of the road and the emperor then in power.”
Each milestone was placed at a distance of one Roman mile (equivalent to one thousand Roman feet or approximately 1,480 modern meters).
In their time, the Romans built an extensive network of roads, where milestones were used as markers to define and separate the different routes that connected the various regions and provinces of the empire.
The Via de la Plata is the Roman road in Europe that preserves the largest number of milestones. Over 200 pieces have been found. One of the most famous in Spain is located about 25 kilometers from Cáceres, between the towns of Casas de Don Antonio and Aldea del Cano. It is known as the "Mailman" or "Postman" milestone because, years ago, the mail carrier would leave letters there for the owners of a nearby estate. Today, pilgrims traveling the Camino de Santiago along the Via de la Plata stop in front of this Roman column and leave a message or thought for other pilgrims coming behind them.
Currently, on the Camino de Santiago, the "kilometer markers" (granite trapezoidal-shaped milestones) often feature the scallop shell symbol, the remaining distance to Santiago de Compostela, and usually the name of the town where the marker is located. While not similar in shape or size, they serve a purpose comparable to that of Roman milestones by providing directional information.
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