The Mozarab Way to Santiago

The Camino Mozárabe is an old 1400km+ pilgrim route that extends from the Mediterranean port town of Almería to Santiago de Compostela in the northwestern corner of Spain.

Established around the 11th century by Christians (Mozárabs) living in Al-Andalus (now Andalucía) under Moorish rule, the way begins at the Cathedral in Almería.

From there it meanders inland along and across semi-arid valleys, 

in and around the Sierra Nevada mountain range, 

on through countless olive groves,  

dozens of small villages, 

and two significant Andalusian cities. 

Situated on a hill-top overlooking Granada, the first of these cities, is the Alhambra, 

 an amazing Moorish fortress/palace dating from the thirteenth century CE.

In the heart of Córdoba, the second and larger city, the wondrous Mezquita holds pride of place. Built as a mosque and later 'converted' to a cathedral this stunning, ochre-striped, arched building dates from 784CE.

Two hundred and fifty kilometres beyond Córdoba, at Mérida, 

the Mozarab way merges with the Camino via de la Plata.

Mérida was founded as a Roman colony in 25BCE under order from the emperor Augustus. It is a world heritage listed city and contains stunning ancient ruins.  

 From here, the path stretches in a northerly direction for another 800+kms passing through three more distinct regions - Extremadura, Castile, and Galicia. 

We plan to celebrate Easter in Almería and then to begin our pilgrimage on the Camino Mozárabe on Easter Monday. Sarah's intention is to walk to Córdoba. From there, she will leave for the Abbey of Bonnevaux in France to lead a retreat for members of the World Community for Christian Meditation, and then to undertake her own thirty-day silent retreat. 

I hope to continue walking from Córdoba, following the yellow arrows all the way to Santiago,

and on to the Atlantic coast.

The timing of this adventure coincides with a sabbatical for Sarah (after eleven years leading Benedictus), 

and with me turning 65 (and transitioning to a new phase of life). We look forward, with some trepidation(!) to what will unfold and will try to share something of the experience in this blog. 

We'd be delighted to have you following (and commenting) along.

To close, some words from Australian Cartoonist, Michael Leunig.

                        Dear God

                        We pray for another way of knowing: 

                        another way of being 

                        Across the difficult terrain of our existence

                        we have attempted to build a highway

                        and in so doing have lost our footpath.

                        God lead us to our footpath:

                        Lead us there where in simplicity

                        we may move at the speed of natural creatures

                        and feel the earth's love beneath our feet.

                        Lead us there where step-by-step we may feel

                        the movement of creation in our hearts.

                        And lead us there where side-by-side

                        we may feel the embrace of the common soul.

                        Nothing can be loved at speed.  

                          

                        God lead us to the slow path, 

                        to the joyous insights of the pilgrim; 

                        another way of knowing: 

                        another way of being.

Buen Camino

Sarah and Neil