The document provides information about a 13.2 km hiking route from Palas de Rei to Melide along the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route in Spain. It gives tips for hiking the route such as wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, bringing water and food, and not littering. It notes landmarks along the route like the medieval Furelos bridge and the town of Melide with its old pilgrim hospital. It provides some additional context about the Way of Saint James being a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important medieval pilgrimage route.

1. The Way of Saint James And our route: From Palas de Rei to Melide Comenius Project: “European citizenship step by step” Lycée professionnel Claret School (Toulon, France) ITC Filangieri (Frattamaiore, Napoli, Italy) Anadolu Iletisim Meslek Lisesi (Giresum, Turkey) IES María Casares (Oleiros, A Coruña, Spain) Meeting in Oleiros, May 2011

2. Santiago de Compostela There are different routes to reach Santiago. For more than 1.000 years pilgrims have been walking along the Way of Saint James.

3. THE WAY TO SAINT JAMES: OUR ROUTE DISTANCE: 13.20 Km TIME : 3 hours DIFFICULTY: EASY/MEDIUM FROM PALAS DE REI TO MELIDE

4. Some tips for the route - Wear only comfortable and loose clothes. -Take with you only a light backpack. -Do not forget some water and food. -Protect your head with a cap and choose comfortable and well-worn shoes (you should never wear a brand new pair of shoes). - Do not forget your raincoat, just in case it rains. - Do not throw away trash. Forests and rivers are not waste bins, it is easy to keep your waste in a plastic bag and throw it away in a bin when you are back. The scallop shell "venera" has been a symbol of the pilgrimage to Santiago for centuries. You will find this sign during the route

5. About our route We will follow the French Way leaving Palas towards the old hamlet of Leboreiro which has been a traditional meeting point for pilgrims (campo dos Romeiros). Later you will see Furelos, a medieval bridge that is considered one of the jewels of the French Way. The old town of Melide is a pleasant town with an old pilgrims hospital and some medieval churches. FRENCH WAY: The route used for Frech pilgrims to reach Santiago.

6. Did you know…? The Way of Saint James is a UNESCO World Heritage Route that was developed as a religious pilgrimage during the Middle Ages. It is said that the Cathedral houses the remains of the apostle Saint James whose body was brought to Galicia in a stone ship. The town of Santiago de Compostela is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The world's first guidebook was the "Codex Calixtinus" (12th century) which offered guidance to pilgrims in their route to Santiago. The name of “Compostela” means “Field of stars”. Sta. María, Melide Cathedral of Santiago Traditional shells

7. Santiago de Compostela