Even though in the 21st century we can readily access high-quality images of almost any place on the planet, for many of us nothing matches personal experience: 'Being there is everything!' Some locations have particular historic and cultural appeal. In the Middle Ages, three destinations topped the long list of those with spiritual appeal: Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral and shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in Galicia, Spain, attracted Christian pilgrims from across western Europe from the 9th century. Many paths converge to form the Way of St James. Why did those travellers make this long journey? What are the historic sites along the route? And why has there been a resurgence of interest in this UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 21st century?
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