About 50 pilgrims made the first pilgrimage through the city of Santiago de Chile, organized by the Chilean Circle of Friends of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. This experience, framed in the “Vía de los Andes” project, seeks to recreate in Chile the spirit of the iconic Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
The route, which covers 25 kilometers, crosses the communes of Santiago, Providencia, Vitacura and Las Condes in Santiago de Chile, mostly following the banks of the Mapocho River. The pilgrims began the day in the historic center of the city, visiting landmarks such as the Cathedral of Santiago, the Church of San Agustín and the Basilica of La Merced. Subsequently, they ascended to the Ángeles Custodios Parish in Providencia, the Bicentenario Park of Vitacura, the Inmaculada Concepción, San Juan and Los Castaños de Vitacura Parishes, to continue in the commune of Las Condes with the Schoenstatt Sanctuary of Campanario and the Sn. Parish. Alberto Hurtado, until culminating in the Benedictine Monastery of Las Condes.
The Via de los Andes was born as a proposal made directly by the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and its purpose is to offer a space for spiritual reflection and connection with oneself, nature and others. Among the testimonies of the participants, Paulina (35 years old, Ñuñoa) shared: "It was a wonderful experience, full of emotions and learning. More than a journey, it was an experience of connection and personal growth."
Gabriela (33 years old, Las Condes), added: "It exceeded all my expectations. It was such a deep purpose that helped me overcome fatigue and discover a new sense of community." “The experience was very significant and well organized, we visited important temples where priests welcomed us kindly, we lived the spirit of the Camino sharing with other pilgrims,” Juan Carlos (54 years old, Villa Alegre).
The project has the support of institutions such as the Spanish Embassy in Chile, the Chilean Embassy in Spain and the Archbishopric of Santiago, in addition to having strategic alliances with the municipalities of Vitacura, Providencia and we are in talks with Las Condes. We are confident that new institutions will join the project in the near future.
