The Origin and History of the French Way of Saint James in Aragon
Discover the significance of this route in the Middle Ages and the strategies used by its proponents to achieve its consolidation.
Ways of Santiago in Europe (2021)Original Source: Axencia Turismo de Galicia
Following the discovery of the tomb of the Apostle James the Great, according to Jacobean tradition, the pilgrimage was established, and a network of paths leading to the holy place was created. In the 11th century, the devotion to James the Great spread across the European continent, and Santiago de Compostela, along with Rome and Jerusalem, became one of the main destinations for Christian pilgrimage.
Four main routes were established to guide the pilgrims arriving on the Iberian Peninsula from Europe: Via Turonense (or de Tours), Via Lemovicense (or de Vézelay), Via Podense (or de Le Puy-en-Velay), and Via Tolosana (or de Toulouse). The first three crossed the Pyrenees via the Roncevaux Pass (Navarre), and the fourth via Somport (Aragon). They joined together in Puente la Reina (Navarre), forming the route known as the French Way.
The route was so called because it was the route of the Franks, a group of Germanic people settled in northern France, western Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The word frank means free. They were primarily traders and craftspeople who settled along the Camino in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries thanks to the privileges granted by the Christian monarchs.
Codex CalixtinoRegional Government of Galicia
The four routes of the Camino Francés are detailed in the Liber Peregrinationis in the Codex Calixtinus (12th century), considered to be the first European travel guide. The book also provides a lot of practical advice for completing the pilgrimage, including the different stages, lodgings or refuges, and relics to visit along the Camino.
Aragon Map (18th century)Ministry of Culture, Regional Government of Aragon
Aragon
The Camino strengthened communications with northern Europe, and its route is closely linked to the places that first saw the birth of the county and then the Kingdom of Aragon. The original route followed the Puerto de Palo pass, in Valle de Hecho. It was the monarch Sancho Ramírez (11th century) who promoted the route via Somport, which was more convenient and more accessible, to cross the Pyrenees.
Following the course of the River Aragon, population centers were created, as well as infrastructure that facilitated the pilgrims' journey, with support and services. But the monarchs were also interested in the movement of goods and in developing a route that could connect the markets and important centers in the north of the peninsula with those on the European continent.
Minutes of the Council of Jaca (11th century)Ministry of Culture, Regional Government of Aragon
Jaca, capital of the Kingdom of Aragon
Ramiro I and, to a greater extent, his son, Sancho Ramírez, transformed Jaca into an important center, which was the political and religious capital of the Kingdom of Aragon until the conquest of Huesca in 1096. By then a city, it was one of the most important hubs along the Jacobean Way (Camino Jacobeo). It welcomed large numbers of pilgrims, merchants, and the wealthy, who took advantage of its economic and demographic growth.
Jaca municipal charter (11th century)Ministry of Culture, Regional Government of Aragon
The charter or privilege of Jaca
In 1077, Sancho Ramírez granted Jaca a privilege, which provided certain freedoms, tax exemptions, and greater equity between the classes, to the citizens of Jaca and all those who would choose to settle there in the future. The scheme had the desired result, and people from other towns in La Jacetania, as well as many Franks, settled in the city.
This privilege spread to other areas in Aragon and left its mark all along the Camino. The Aragonese monarchs promoted the creation and growth of urban centers all along the pilgrimage route, attracting new settlers and contributing to the economic and demographic development of the region. Sancho Ramírez conceded the privilege to Estella, and Alfonso I later granted the same to Sangüesa and Pamplona.
Interior view of the Cathedral of San Pedro de Jaca (11th century)Ministry of Culture, Regional Government of Aragon
Episcopal see
At the time when Jaca was the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon, it also acquired the status of episcopal see and therefore needed a building for the bishop. This prompted work to start on the construction of the Cathedral of San Pedro, and Sancho Ramírez's brother, the Infant García Ramírez, was appointed as the first bishop.
Monastery of San Juan de la Peña (11th century)Ministry of Culture, Regional Government of Aragon
A detour along the Camino. San Juan de la Peña
Another key location along the Camino was the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña where, in 1071, the Clunic order was established. They brought Gregorian reform and played a decisive role in financing the Jacobean pilgrimages.
Detail of the epitaph attributed to Pedro I (11th century)Ministry of Culture, Regional Government of Aragon
Royal vault
The monastery became hugely significant due to its close links with power. The first Aragonese monarchs visited frequently, bestowed significant donations, and added to their properties by incorporating other small monasteries. It was such a close relationship that Ramiro I, Sancho Ramírez, and Peter I were all laid to rest there.
Head of the high church of the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña with a reproduction of the Holy Grail (11th century)Ministry of Culture, Regional Government of Aragon
Holy Grail
San Juan de la Peña attracted a large number of pilgrims who took a detour from the Way to worship the numerous saints and other relics housed within its walls. Of all these relics, the most important was the Holy Grail, the mythical goblet used by Jesus at the Last Supper, which was kept at the monastery until the 14th century.
New bridge (16th century)Ministry of Culture, Regional Government of Aragon
Decadence
This Aragonese route fell into decline in the late 14th century, although the influx of pilgrims and travelers never stopped. Testimony to that is the concession granted to the town of Canfranc, in 1440; the right required its citizens to keep the way clean, to monitor it, and to defend it on the border. In exchange, they were granted exemption from taxes, tolls and customs payments.
In Canfranc, the participation of the Austrian Princess Teresa Bibiana de Lasterenberg on the pilgrimage was also documented in 1697. But the final stroke to the Somport route was the fire and destruction of the Hospital of Santa Cristina in 1808. This led to the gradual abandonment of this route, until it was practically forgotten.
Start of the Camino de Santiago in AragonMinistry of Culture, Regional Government of Aragon
Recovering and revaluing the Camino de Santiago
In 1962, the Camino de Santiago was declared an Artistic-Historic Site and, from the Holy Year of 1965, pilgrims began to travel along the well-worn routes again. In 1987, the Council of Europe bestowed upon it the distinction of the first European Cultural Route. Later, in 1993, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site based on its value as a pilgrimage route, a means of cultural promotion, and a cultural meeting place.
Government of Aragon Department of Education, Culture, and Sport Directorate General for Culture Coordination: Sara Gimeno Laporta Alexandra Maicas Bueno Texts: Sara Gimeno Laporta Photographs: Provincial Historical Archive of Teruel Jaca City Council Huesca Museum—Javier Broto Diocesan Museum of Jaca Juan Carlos Gil Ballano Sara Lugo Valero
