Künig&amp;#39;s Way to Santiago

Künig's Way to Santiago

The Künig Way is a pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela that recreates the itinerary described by the German Servite monk Hermann Künig von Vach in his Guide for Pilgrims , first published in Leipzig in 1495. Künig traveled over 4,000 km on his round trip, starting from Einsiedeln (Switzerland) to Santiago de Compostela and then returning via Aachen, meticulously recording churches, hospitals, inns, and potential dangers for pilgrims. This makes his work not only a route guide but also a social and religious chronicle of pilgrimage at the end of the 15th century. Considered the first pilgrim's guide in history, it was a great success, being reprinted several times in that early era of printing. Today, the Künig Way has been revived as an alternative route to the French Way, especially valued for its heritage, its lower crowds, and its landscapes. It has been marked for hikers and pilgrims with posts and signs that follow the original route. In line with these initiatives, it has been recognized as a Historic Route to guarantee its protection, promote its research, and ensure its full integration within the pilgrimage routes to Santiago through the territory of Castilla y León .

In the section that crosses the province of Leon , the route proposed by Künig is of great historical interest and is ideal for pilgrims seeking a gentler alternative to the traditional mountain pass. In his guide, Künig advises against the Foncebadón pass and instead suggests a detour from Leon towards Santa Marina del Rey , crossing the Órbigo River to Benavides, from where it continues through La Cepeda to Villamejil . At that time, Santa Marina del Rey had two hospitals and was an important stop for pilgrims. From Villamejil, Künig continues through Brañuelas to Cerezal de Tremor , a strategic pass for crossing the Montes de Leon without excessive ascents, making this alternative a more manageable route: while the Foncebadón pass reaches 1,500 meters, Künig's route remains at approximately 1,100 meters. Then he descends towards Bembibre and arrives at Ponferrada , where he resumes the French Way according to his description.

This section in León is particularly appealing to pilgrims for several reasons: first, it offers a less demanding alternative in terms of terrain, avoiding challenging mountain passes; second, it allows pilgrims to explore a rural and less traveled landscape, with places like La Cepeda and the ancient ruins of the Franciscan convent in Cerezal de Tremor, mentioned by Künig. Furthermore, the infrastructure and services are supported by modern signage: the Association of Municipalities of the Künig Way to Santiago has installed posts between San Martín del Camino and Bembibre so that pilgrims can faithfully follow the historical route. From a cultural perspective, sculptures and signs in La Cepeda pay homage to Künig, recognizing his role in promoting this pilgrimage route.

Historically, the Künig Way in Leon reflects Künig's concern for pilgrim safety, the need to avoid dangerous winter crossings, and his ability to describe a viable and useful alternative route. His guide highlights not only the topography but also the presence of hospitals and churches, indicating that his route was practical and well-maintained for his time. For contemporary pilgrims, walking this section offers not only a moderate physical challenge but also a more intimate experience with the historical memory of the Camino, traversing paths steeped in centuries of tradition, bearing witness to past pilgrimages, and forging a direct connection with Künig himself.

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Portal de Turismo de Castilla y León

Künig's Way to Santiago

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