This was the main alternative route at the time when the Camino Francés was occupied by Muslim troops and therefore all pilgrims, whether from Spain or the rest of Europe, had to journey along this route, the only one which wasn’t occupied. Considered one of the less challenging routes, this one is often chosen by pilgrims wishing to avoid big hills or hard terrain that can be found on other routes, such as the Camino Primitivo. This route stands out due to the combination of cultures it features, as it crosses the two linked territories of Spain and Portugal. The Camino starts in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, continuing along a 620km route divided into 24 stages to the Cathedral, entering Spanish territory in the Galician town of Tui, one of the most sought-after starting points among those pilgrims who are doing the Camino for the first time or who don’t have enough time to complete the whole route. Nowadays, it has become one of the most important routes of the Camino, being the second-most travelled by pilgrims after the French route. Over time, due to the renown achieved by the Cathedral of Santiago and the remains of the apostle, this route began to be used by believers who wanted to reach Santiago de Compostela and make amends for their sins. It began as a more commercial route following the independence of Portuguese territory from Spain in the XII Century. All this, together with the wide range of services aimed at pilgrims, make this one of the most highly-regarded routes. Along the route you can find magnificent cathedrals and famous churches. It is characterised as being one of the routes with the most cultural and historical heritage for the previously mentioned reasons. This route starts from Saint Jean Pied de Port and travels through northern inland Spain covering 764 km and 33 stages, passing through areas such as Roncesvalles, Pamplona, Burgos and León, among many others. Later, due to the importance given to it by the monarchy, the church or distinguished visitors, it gained renown that was only marred by the Moorish conquest in the XI Century. Moreover, one of the chapters of the famous Codex Calixtinus contains a guide to the Camino Francés, making it the only documented route at that time. Due to its connection with France, all pilgrims who came from mainland Europe had to journey along this route. There are many reasons why it is the most well-known route. In medieval times, this became the main pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago and continues to be the most popular nowadays.
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