Camino de Santiago is called in English as “the way of Saint Jame”. It is the religious trip of Santiago Compostela in northwestern Spain, the place where the Jesus’ messenger Saint James the Elder lie has remains. The Santiago Camino has known as a Christian pilgrimage for well over 1,000 years and there is a proof of pre-Christian route s well. It was one of the three most important Christian pilgrimages undertaken throughout the medieval period. In actual, it was only these pilgrimages – to Rome, to Santiago and to Jerusalem which could result in an indulgence, which frees person from the penance due for sins. In theory, the Camino Santiago is any road which reaches the pilgrimage destination of Santiago de Compostela in the Galician province of La Coruna, but for those coming from Northern Europe; there are four recognized, marked and certified routes. But there are the most famous of which is the Camino Frances, the French way. French way is one of the greatest walks in the world, whether you are a true pilgrim, a Shirley MacLaine-style kook, or just a killer who likes some purpose in his rambles

Meteora Greece is like a different planet. The high pillars of rock which look like they are touching the sky in the otherwise flat landscape look like something out fiction. And over them the monasteries are old creation which is magnificent and very impressive. There is saying that the area of Meteora is said to have been sea once upon a time. In the 11th century the hermits were living far away from the rest of the world, they used to live in caves. Since they met fro mass once a week, they became organized. The first construction was started in 14th century and it is believed that one of the reasons was that the monks and the people needed shelter from the Turkish attacks that went on. The monk Athanasios was behind the project of Great Meteoron, which was built in 1356-1372. He had also set the rules for the monastic life. When riches were added to it after a member of the Serbian royal family became a monk here, in Meteora the monastery got a leading role. There are other active Monasteries of Meteora, the Monastery of Agia Trias, and the Monastry of Varlam, the Monastry of Agios Nikolaos, the Monastery of Rousanou and the Monastry of Agios Stephanos. In the period of 16th century, Meteora had its crest, but then monasteries were slowly abandoned. Currently there are six active monasteries Read the rest of this entry »