The Camino Lebaniego and the Camino de Santiago are two of Spain’s most emblematic and spiritual pilgrimage routes. They are intertwined not only by their paths but by their profound religious and cultural significance.

The Camino Lebaniego, in Cantabria, leads pilgrims to the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana. It is famous for housing the Lignum Crucis, the largest preserved piece of the cross on which, according to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ was crucified. This route, though less traveled than the Camino de Santiago, offers a spiritual experience and impressive mountainous landscapes.

On the other hand, the Camino de Santiago is one of the world’s oldest and most popular pilgrimage routes, culminating in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where it is said the remains of the Apostle James the Greater lie. For centuries, millions of pilgrims have walked this path, filling it with a rich history of faith, trial, and personal discovery.

Both routes serve as a link between the past and the present. They invite pilgrims to follow in the footsteps of previous generations in search of spirituality, penance, or simply the beauty of the experience.

 

Origins of the Camino Lebaniego

The Camino Lebaniego was founded in the 6th century and rebuilt in the 13th century.

It concludes at one of Spain’s most revered religious centres, mainly famous for housing the Lignum Crucis, considered the largest fragment of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The authenticity of this relic was proclaimed in the 16th century, and since then, the monastery has become an important pilgrimage destination.

The path was established as a spiritual route for those seeking penance and redemption and as a means to facilitate access to the monastery and its sacred relic. Over time, this route served religious purposes and helped foster cultural and economic exchange between the various regions it traversed.

In the context of the organization of Camino de Santiago routes, the Camino Lebaniego is considered a complementary route, which connects with the Camino de Santiago in San Vicente de la Barquera. Here, pilgrims have the option to detour to Santo Toribio de Liébana before continuing towards Santiago de Compostela.

 

Connection with the Camino de Santiago

The Camino Lebaniego joins the Camino del Norte, one of the main routes of the Camino de Santiago, in the town of San Vicente de la Barquera. From here, pilgrims can choose to detour westwards to follow the Camino Lebaniego towards the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana.

This detour offers a path filled with stunning natural landscapes and an opportunity to meditate in one of Spain’s most spiritual places.

 

Spiritual and Religious Aspects

Although these paths culminate in places of great religious significance, their spiritual approaches present distinctive nuances.

The Camino de Santiago, French Route focuses on the Apostle James, a figure of leadership and evangelization. In contrast, the Lebaniego offers a more introspective, meditative journey, focused on Christ’s sacrifice.

Both paths invite contemplation and spiritual search, but from different perspectives: one looks towards leadership and action, and the other towards sacrifice and redemption.

The rituals and practices on both paths, although specific in their focus, share many similarities. For instance, the practice of continuous prayer, meditation, and participation in liturgical rites along the routes. Pilgrims often carry devotional items such as crucifixes, rosaries, or images of saints, and participate in regular masses and confessions.

Hospitality is another common aspect. This is manifested in the welcome at hostels and the assistance provided by locals, reinforcing the sense of community and mutual support on the journey.

 

Pilgrim Experience on the Camino Lebaniego

The Lebaniego route offers a unique and deeply enriching experience for pilgrims, marked by both a physical and spiritual journey through the stunning Cantabrian mountains. As they travel this path, people encounter a serene and spiritually charged landscape, full of green valleys, mountains not found on the Map of the English Way, and ancient monasteries that seem to withstand the passage of time.

In addition to the natural beauty, they immerse themselves in an atmosphere of introspection and contemplation, fostered by the presence of Christ’s sacred Cross in the Monastery of Santo Toribio.

Unlike the more travelled routes like the Camino de Santiago, Portuguese Coastal Route, the Camino Lebaniego is characterized by its tranquillity and fewer pilgrims. It offers a more intimate and personal space for reflection and prayer. This tranquillity allows the faithful to connect more deeply with their thoughts and emotions along the way.

 

Landscapes and Points of Interest on the Camino Lebaniego

The Camino Lebaniego offers a diversity of landscapes and points of interest that captivate pilgrims at every stage of their journey:

  • Desfiladero de La Hermida: one of the most impressive landscapes in this place. This gorge is the longest in Spain and offers spectacular views of high rocky walls and the Deva River winding through it.
  • Potes: This picturesque village, with its traditional architecture and cobbled streets, is a vital meeting point for pilgrims on the Camino Lebaniego. Potes not only serves as a rest and resupply centre, but also as a place to explore the rich mountain culture of the region.
  • Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana: this monastery is one of the oldest pilgrimage points in Europe. Its quiet cloister and chapel are spaces of profound spiritual significance.

In contrast to the varied landscapes of the Portuguese Coastal Camino to Santiago, the Lebaniego offers a route more focused on the mountains and rural areas. The Camino de Santiago crosses numerous cities and large towns. It allows pilgrims to experience a wide range of local cultures and traditions.

In contrast, the Camino Lebaniego delves more into natural landscapes and less populated areas, providing a more introspective and contemplative experience.

Interweaving the history, faith, and natural beauty of these paths offers a window to the past and propels the present and future of the region by strengthening the community, economy, and preservation of heritage.