Santiago de Compostela
The Spanish holy city of Santiago de Compostela has been a spiritual center of Western Europe and the destination of the Middle Ages' most important religious and cultural movement known as "the Way of St. James pilgrimage". A network of pilgrimage routes from across Europe lead to this beautiful city on the northwest coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Because of its outstanding universal value it was registered in 1993 as UNESCO World Heritage.
The "Camino" pilgrimage route, as it is known in Spain, and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route are the only two pilgrimage routes registered as UNESCO World Heritage. They share a unique history of human spirituality.
Pilgrimage Exchange
The Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau and Santiago de Compostela Tourism are working together to promote and preserve the unique spiritual cultures of the Asia's far east and Europe's far west: the pilgrimages of the rising and setting sun. Our joint website is www.spiritual-pilgrimages.com.
Protocol of Intention
Considering:
Tanabe and Santiago de Compostela share a rich history of pilgrimage tradition. Networks of ancient pilgrimage routes lead to both Tanabe's Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine and to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela. The Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela and the Kumano Kodo to Kumano are the only two pilgrimage routes registered as UNESCO World Heritage.
Both networks of routes originated in the 10th centuries and have been walked by millions of pilgrims over the centuries. Although Kumano is located in the far east of Asia and Santiago is located in the far west of Europe, both of our ancient roads share a common history of faith. They have developed simultaneously as pilgrimage routes and have become beloved by our citizens as important parts of our historical, cultural and spiritual heritage.
2008 marks the 10th anniversary of official relations between Wakayama Prefecture and Galicia Province. A mutual promotion project between Tanabe and Santiago de Compostela will celebrate this anniversary and further deepen positive relations between Wakayama Prefecture and Galicia Province.
Because of the above,
We Agree:
Firstly: To collaborate and cooperate in order to mutually promote our respective pilgrimage routes and cities.
Secondly: To exchange knowledge and experience in regards to promotion and sustainable tourism.
Thirdly: To research new ways to work together towards mutual promotion, development and preservation of our pilgrimage heritage.
Fourthly: To strengthen positive relations between Tanabe & Santiago de Compostela, Wakayama Prefecture & Galica Province, and Japan & Spain.
Fifthly: To respect the rich religious and spiritual heritage of each other’s cultural traditions while carrying out actions and projects.
Date: Monday, 27th of October, 2008
Signed Protocol of Intentions PDF >>
- Santiago de Compostela Tourism Official site
- UNESCO Route of Santiago de Compostela
- UNESCO Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)
