Viana do Castelo - Caminha

In Viana do Castelo, the Way of Saint James continue to be marked in the territory, initially even, through the presence of an ancient Roman road that has remained practically unchanged until today: the modern «Estrada Real». The itinerary took pilgrims through churches and chapels consecrated to the Holy Apostle - such as the Castelo de Neiva Church, and the Vila Nova de Anha Parish Church and the Viana do Castelo Santiago Chapel, and by chapels dedicated to the devotion of S. Roque, in Viana do Castelo and in Afife. If pilgrims could pray in churches and chapels, in the S. Romão do Neiva and S. João de Cabanas monasteries in Afife, pilgrims could stay overnight and eat. Another landmark of assistance to pilgrims in Viana do Castelo is the Hospital Velho (old hospital), built with the purpose of providing, free of charge, assistance to those traveling to or from Santiago. Even today, along the entire length of the Way, we find symbolic representations of popular piety after the Concilium of Trent – whether stone crosses, via-sacra or shrines - which are intended to remind travelers and walkers of the souls of those who have already left, asking for a prayer to guide them...