The Roman Roads and the Camino de Santiago
The Roman Roads and the Camino de Santiago
Many of the routes of the Camino de Santiago once followed the famous Roman roads. Unfortunately, very few remain in good condition to be appreciated and walked upon.
Roman roads were a model of pathways used by Rome to organize its empire.
These roads were primarily used by the Roman army for the conquest of new territories. Thanks to them, large numbers of troops could be mobilized at speeds never seen before. The main objective of these roads was the movement of troops for territorial conquests, but they also served other purposes that boosted various sectors. Economically, they played a pivotal role. These roads greatly facilitated the transport of goods that could not be moved by sea, thereby stimulating trade. Culturally, they spread Roman culture throughout the empire. One could say that these Roman roads were the internet of their time.
Before the arrival of the Romans, territories had paths and trails primarily used for livestock and pastoral activities. After the Romans arrived, they repurposed and improved these rustic trails and paths to advance their conquests more rapidly. During these conquests, they didn’t have time to adorn the roads.
On the Iberian Peninsula, with the end of the conquests and the arrival of peace, Roman civilization applied its architectural expertise, leaving behind a legacy of monuments such as theaters, aqueducts, sturdy bridges, and an extensive network of Roman roads that crisscrossed the peninsula from north to south and east to west.
Many of the routes of the Camino de Santiago still follow these legendary Roman roads, though we might not realize it, as many are now covered by modern roads or paths.
Two routes deserve special mention:
The Via de la Plata Route: This route takes pilgrims from Seville to Santiago and features a section of Roman road from Mérida to Astorga.
It was a Roman road stretching 470 km from south to north between Augusta Emerita (Mérida) and Asturica Augusta (Astorga). This section boasts significant historical, cultural, and artistic heritage. Cities like Mérida, Cáceres, and Salamanca are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while others like Zamora and Astorga also feature important heritage landmarks.
The Camino to Santiago via the Aquitania Route: This route follows a Roman road in its Castilian section, known during the Middle Ages as the Via Aquitania, from Tardajos to Carrión de los Condes. It was used as an alternative route by French pilgrims from the Aquitaine region heading to Santiago.
It is considered one of the oldest routes and the origin of the French Way. However, its significance has diminished due to the lack of preservation of its original state and the fact that many sections are buried under modern roads and paths.
Preserved or not, Roman roads played a crucial role in shaping the current routes of the Camino de Santiago.
We may not realize it while walking, but there’s a good chance we’re traveling along a Roman road on our way to our destination.
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