Since time immemorial, human beings have traveled spiritual paths to find themselves. In both Mexico and Spain, pilgrimages are manifestations of faith and tradition that have endured over the centuries.
The first known pilgrimages in Europe led to emblematic sanctuaries in Rome, Jerusalem or Santiago de Compostela.
In Mexico, this tradition also existed before the conquest, although with the arrival of the first religious orders in the 16th century, new Christian pilgrimage routes were founded, which fused the beliefs of the native population with the Catholic faith.
Some of the most popular ones that still survive today are:
The pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe.
It commemorates every December 12 the day in which the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to the peasant Juan Diego in the hill of Tepeyac in 1531. It is considered the most important religious route in Mexico since the Virgin of Guadalupe is also the Patroness of America.
The Christ of Chalma
It is the second most important pilgrimage site in Mexico after the Basilica of Guadalupe.
It dates back to pre-Hispanic times and the cult of Oztoteotl, god of the caves, to whom healing and magical powers were attributed. With the arrival of Catholicism around 1540, this devotion was transferred to the Lord of Chalma, a Black Christ that mysteriously appeared in the same place.
The pilgrimage begins on January 3 and lasts eight days.
Our Lady of Izamal
Izamal, in the state of Yucatan, is a special place not only for its architectural beauty and iconic yellow walls, but also for its deep historical and spiritual significance. Before the arrival of the Spaniards, it was an important ceremonial center dedicated to Itzamná, one of the most relevant deities in Maya mythology, known as the “ruler of the heavens”.
In 1553, under the advocation of San Antonio de Padua, Fray Juan de Mérida promoted the construction of the current colonial style temple, which houses the image of the Virgin of Izamal, to whom numerous miracles are attributed.
Every year, from December 1 to 8, hundreds of faithful participate in a pilgrimage in her honor, turning Izamal into a meeting point of faith, devotion and tradition.
How is the Camino de Santiago different from Mexican pilgrimages?
Unlike Mexican pilgrimages, the Camino de Santiago from Mexico does not have a fixed date or a central festivity; pilgrims can walk it at any time of the year.
Other important differences are:
- Motivation: The Camino de Santiago tends to be more introspective. Many pilgrims walk in search of inner peace and self-improvement. Motivations can be religious, spiritual or even touristic.
- Variety of routes: While Mexican pilgrimages travel specific routes with massive arrivals in a single day, the Camino de Santiago has a layout in stages that allows pilgrims to go at their own pace according to their physical capacity. In addition, there are several official routes. The French Way is the most popular, but there are also The Northern Way, The Primitive Way, The Portuguese Way, The Silver Way and other less traveled routes. Each route has its own history, landscapes and level of difficulty.
- Signage and structure: The Camino de Santiago is meticulously signposted with yellow arrows and scallop shells indicating the direction to follow. In addition, it has a well-developed infrastructure of hostels and other services for pilgrims. In contrast, Mexican pilgrimages do not always have permanent signage and rely on traditionally established paths.
Despite these differences, both experiences have in common faith, tradition and the meaning of the road as a metaphor for inner transformation. If you have ever participated in a pilgrimage in Mexico and wish to live a unique adventure, PambreTours can help you discover one of the oldest and most representative routes in Europe. Contact us and get ready to walk the Camino de Santiago from Mexico
