A natural glass. It is the most likely origin of the scallop shell as a symbol of the Camino de Santiago. During the hard days on foot, the pilgrims carried one of these shells because they were easy to carry hanging and they served to comfortably collect water from the streams. This symbol that shows a tradition from 1,200 years ago will be present in Badajoz next month.
In April the signs that officially include the capital of Badajoz on the Camino de Santiago will be installed. The inclusion of Badajoz in the route was made public in January. It is a strategy to unite two different paths, the Ruta de la Plata and the Portuguese in case the pilgrims want to combine them.
Signage will only be installed from the cathedral to the Portuguese border, although the route that passes through Badajoz is wider, since it enters through San Roque. This is confirmed by the Councilor for Tourism, Jaime Mejías. Those responsible for the Interreg program (Network of the Caminos Jacobeos del Oeste Peninsular) visited the city and decided to place the signs in this area. Mejías explains that it is a first phase and that it could be expanded later.
What is the route?
The route that will cross Badajoz arrives from Mérida passing through Puebla de la Calzada and Lobón. Enter through Ricardo Carapeto avenue, cross the San Roque bridge and go up to the cathedral through Trinidad, San Andrés (Cervantes square) and López Prudencio streets. However, this first part will not have signals at the moment.
The central point of the route in Badajoz will be the cathedral. From there the pilgrims will go through Obispo San Juan de Ribera, Juan Carlos I and Prim streets, the Palmas bridge, Adolfo Díaz Ambrona avenue, Elvas avenue and the border. These roads will be marked. Those that are inside the historic center, including the bridge, will have more classic shells while on the right bank there will be other types of more modern signs.
Jaime Mejías points out that, at the time the signs are placed, Badajoz will already be officially within the Jacobean route. It will appear on maps and in campaigns, so it could receive its first pilgrims.
The Revellín hostel will no longer have a youthful character to become a hostel for pilgrims
In addition, the Badajoz City Council is preparing a specific campaign with information for those who follow the route. “It will include services that pilgrims may need, we are in contact with hoteliers and other businesses at the Tourism Board,” Mejías details.
This campaign to take advantage of the passage of the Camino de Santiago will include the Ravellín de San Roque hostel. This facility, which has 62 places, is currently being used as a refuge for Ukrainians who arrive in Extremadura fleeing from the war. The intention of the Consistory of Badajoz, when the situation returns to normal, is to eliminate the youthful character of the hostel and turn it into a hostel for pilgrims.
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.