Unique tradition that torns Santiago de Compostel·la íntegra a una de les world's greatest pilgrimage destinations
Per pilgrims planning their journey along the Camí de Sant Jaume, one question comes up time and again: How often is the Holy Year of Santiago celebrated?
Known in Spain as the Any Sant Compostel·là or Xacobeo, aquest especial jubilee és un dels most importants esdeveniments en el Christian pilgrimage calendar i attracts diversos dels visitors to Santiago de Compostel·la.
What is the Holy Year of Santiago?
A Holy Year takes place whenever 25 July, the feast day of Saint James the Apostle, falls on a Sunday. Durant aquests anys, pilgrims que reuneix Santiago can obtain especial spiritual benefits associats amb Jubilee and pass through the famous Holy Door of the Cathedral of Santiago.
Les tradicions dates es representen el Middle Ages i has de Sant Jaume 1 de Christianity's most important pilgrimage destinations, alongside Rome and Jerusalem.
Is it celebrated every seven years?
Contrary to popular belief, the Holy Year is not celebrated every seven years.
Because of the way leap years affect the calendar, the Holy Year follows a repeating cycle of:
6 years – 5 years – 6 years – 11 years
Aquest pattern ha been repeated for centuries.
Recent and upcoming Holy Years include:
- 1993
- 1999
- 2004
- 2010
- 2021
- 2027
- 2032
- 2038
- 2049
The next Holy Year of Santiago will therefore be celebrated in 2027.
Why was the 2021 Holy Year so special?
The Holy Year que beguen el 2021 became an extraordinary event in modern Camí history.
Dona el global COVID-19 pandèmics i traves restriccions afectant pilgrims de tot el món, el Vaticà estenen el Jubilee fins 2022, mitjançant visitors additional time to participate en les celebracions i receive the associated spiritual graces.
The Holy Door: symbol d' Xacobeo
One of the most iconic moments of every Holy Year is the opening of the Holy Door at the Cathedral of Santiago.
Normally closed, aquest historic entrance is opened only during Jubilee anys i becomes a powerful symbol de pilgrimage, forgiveness and spiritual renewal. Thousands of pilgrims pass through it as they complete their Camí journey.
More than a religious celebration
Today, the Xacobeo is much more than a religious event. Holy Years bring major cultural festivals, exhibicions, concerts i internacionals gatherings a Galícia, creating a unique atmosfera throughout the region. Pilgrim numbers increase significantly, and the Camino routes become even more vibrant than usual.
Per many walkers, completing the Camino during a Holy Year és onze-in-a-lifetime experience. Yet the spirit of the Camino remains alive every year, welcoming pilgrims from every corner of the world to follow the yellow arrows toward Santiago.
