Author: Camino Estrella

Pilgrim Passport (Credencial)

The pilgrim passport, called the Credential, is the actual proof of a person walking the Camino de Santiago. For each overnight stay or special place visited, the pilgrim receives a stamp inside his credential. With this procedure, the Credential provides a record of all the places where the pilgrim has been along the Camino.

“Sellos of the Camino de Santiago” art print

Each pilgrim documents his journey in the personal Credential (pilgrim’s passport), which he must carry with him from the start of his pilgrimage. With the possession of a Credential, a single lodging is granted to every pilgrim for the night in the albergues (pilgrim’s hostels) along the Camino de Santiago. Here the pilgrim receives the print of the stamp of every overnight stay. The print “Sellos” present a unique collection of traditional, ancient and important stops on the Camino de Santiago. A reflection of the previous centuries pilgrimages.

“Sellos of the Camino de Santiago” art print

“Camino Steps”  art print

Along the Camino the pilgrim connects with history, changing landscapes, people, places and symbols. These create deep and lasting impressions. In the painting series “Camino Steps”, the artist Marc Heffner takes up themes, icons and places along the Camino de Santiago.

During centuries of pilgrimage the scallop shell developed into the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. With the possession of the scallop shell, the medieval pilgrims proved their arrival. The scallop shell also acts as a metaphor. The grooves in the shell, which come together at a single point, represent the various routes pilgrims travelled, eventually arriving at a single destination: Santiago de Compostela.

“Pilgrims” art print

“Camino Steps” 1  art print

“Camino Steps” 14  art print

“Pilgrim”  art print

“Camino Steps” 4  art print

“Camino Steps” 5  art print

“Footprints”  art print

“Camino Steps” 10  art print

“Transcending”  art print

“Camino Steps”   art print

“Camino Steps” 12  art print

“Sellos of the Camino de Santiago” art print

Each pilgrim documents his journey in the personal Credential (pilgrim’s passport), which he must carry with him from the start of his pilgrimage. With the possession of a Credential, a single lodging is granted to every pilgrim for the night in the albergues (pilgrim’s hostels) along the Camino de Santiago. Here the pilgrim receives the print of the stamp of every overnight stay. The print “Sellos” present a unique collection of traditional, ancient and important stops on the Camino de Santiago. A reflection of the previous centuries pilgrimages.

“On the Camino” art print

Today tens of thousands of pilgrims set out each year from their front doorstep, or popular starting points across Europe, to make their way to Santiago de Compostela. Their final destination is the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried. They follow many routes, the most popular route is the French Way (Camino Francés) entering Spain in the Pyrenees and crossing northern Spain. The tomb in Santiago de Compostela developed in the Middle Ages beside Rome and Jerusalem for the third principal purpose of the Christian pilgrim’s journey.

“Camino Steps” art print

Along the Camino the pilgrim connects with history, changing landscapes, people, places and symbols. These create deep and lasting impressions. In the painting series “Camino Steps”, the artist Marc Heffner takes up themes, icons and places along the Camino de Santiago. During centuries of pilgrimage the scallop shell developed into the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. With the possession of the scallop shell, the medieval pilgrims proved their arrival. The scallop shell also acts as a metaphor. The grooves in the shell, which come together at a single point, represent the various routes pilgrims travelled, eventually arriving at a single destination: Santiago de Compostela.

“Camino Butterfly” art print

Butterflies stand since centuries as a symbol for transformation. Like the pilgrim who goes through an evolution during the pilgrimage. For many pilgrims, reaching the end completes a process and signifies a new, personal beginning.

                       “Walking on the moon”  art print