Have the adventure of a lifetime with CaminoWays.com, the walking and cycling holiday specialists, and experience the special festivities taking place as part of the ‘Holy Year of Mercy’ in 2016.
2016 has been declared as a ‘Holy Year of Mercy’ by Pope Francis, officially starting on 8th December 2015 and finishing on 20th November 2016. A host of exciting events will take place in Rome and Santiago de Compostela – a must for pilgrims on the Camino!
Holy Years usually only occur every 25 years, unless the Pope requests an extraordinary Holy Year to highlight a specific topic. The ‘Holy Year of Mercy’ gives pilgrims the opportunity to enjoy an enriched spiritual experience on the Via Francigena (the Camino to Rome) and awe-inspiring Camino de Santiago.
Those visiting Santiago de Compostela will have a unique chance to enter the Holy Door (Porta Santa) in the Cathedral. This special door to the cathedral is otherwise only open if Saint James Day falls on a Sunday and after 2016 it will not open again until 2021.
The Vatican will be hosting special celebrations and so millions of pilgrims are expected to travel to Rome. The overall number of pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago is also due to increase thanks to the amazing celebrations taking place.
CaminoWays.com advises those travelling to Rome or Santiago de Compostela over Easter and other important religious periods to secure accommodation well in advance.
