The Camino Maltés, a stretch of the legendary Camino de Santiago that crosses the Maltese archipelago, was officially linked to the wider Camino de Santiago network not too long ago. This official recognition acknowledges the importance of Malta’s spiritual traditions and history in the development of European pilgrimage routes.
For over a millennium, the Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St James, has attracted pilgrims from all over the world to the tomb of the Apostle James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. This storied path of faith, devotion, and hope is an important part of Europe’s Christian heritage (and of Christianity as a whole), uniting pilgrims across borders and centuries. Now, with the formal inauguration of the Camino Maltés, Malta (long known for its Christian roots and ancient religious traditions) has officially joined this sacred journey.
The Camino Maltés has its origins in the historical relationship between Malta and the wider pilgrim routes of Europe. In 1113, the Order of the Knights of St John of Malta, also known as the Hospitallers, was founded in Jerusalem. One of the Order’s early missions was to care for pilgrims, offering refuge and assistance in xenodochia (pilgrims’ hostels). This association with the care of pilgrims would extend over centuries –and countries. Of particular importance is the Ordinis hospitalis Sancti Jacobi de Alto Pascu, a refuge for those travelling to Santiago de Compostela, which was found in medieval Malta. The sole mention of this refuge is testimony Malta’s early involvement in the wider European pilgrimage tradition, with Maltese and Sicilian civil servants assigned to assist members of the Order of St James – the Ordini Sancti Jacobi.
The Camino Maltés also finds a precedent in the story of Don Juan Benegas, a Maltese pilgrim who received a credencial from Grand Master Alof Wignacourt in the early 17th century. This document, a sort of pilgrim’s passport, allowed Benegas safe passage from St Paul’s Grotto in Rabat, Malta, to other holy places in Europe, including the famous Santiago Sanctuary in Galicia. As can be seen, the link between Malta and the Camino de Santiago is far from being a modern development. On the contrary, it builds on a long tradition of Maltese involvement in the network of pilgrimages that stretched across Europe.
In 1373, King Frederick IV of Aragon ordered Sicilian, Maltese and Gozitan officials to assist Italian members of the Order of St James visiting Malta. This decree further underlines Malta’s historic role as a way-point and safe haven for pilgrims on their way to holy sites in Spain (or going from Spain to the Holy Land) and reinforces the island’s enduring spiritual connection to the Camino – and with the wider Mediterranean network of pilgrimage routes.
Thanks to a concerted effort by the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, through the Maltese Embassy in Spain, Heritage Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority, and XirCammini (the official Maltese association representing the International Federation of Friends of the Camino de Santiago) Malta has been formally integrated into the pilgrim network of the Camino de Santiago. The Camino Maltés de Santiago de Compostela, as it is now known, offers both local and international pilgrims a new route to embark on this ancient spiritual journey. By promoting this route, the Malta Tourism Authority (VisitMalta) is helping to develop the archipelago’s potential as an international hub for faith tourism, attracting those seeking both a religious and historical experience.
The route itself begins in Malta, allowing pilgrims to walk in the footsteps of those who crossed the island centuries ago on their way to holy sites across Europe. From Malta, the Camino continues to Sicily, where it joins the Cammino di San Giacomo before continuing on to the Camin St Jacu in Sardinia. From there it leads to the Camino Catalán in Spain, where it joins the larger Camino de Santiago network, culminating in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, spanning circa 3600 kilometers. This journey by land and sea (as ancient pilgrims would do) offers a unique pilgrimage experience, allowing participants to feel connected to the apostle St James, and to thousands of pilgrims who have made the same arduous and transformative journey throughout the centuries.
The long-standing Compostelan tradition dates back to the discovery of the remains of St James the Greater in Galicia, Spain, in the 9th century. Since then, the site has become one of the most important Christian pilgrimage destinations, with the first organized pilgrimages beginning in the 10th century. The spiritual and physical effort required to walk the Camino has ever since attracted believers, seekers and adventurers alike. Many have walked the Camino seeking self-knowledge, spiritual and physical healing, or as a form of devotion. Over the centuries the Camino has grown, with different routes criss-crossing Europe, but all leading to the tomb of St James. The journey itself, more than its final destination, is at the heart of the Camino’s appeal. Pilgrims walk in community, but the experience is deeply personal, marked by the challenges, encounters and reflections along the way.
The Camino Maltés is not simply a new addition to this ancient tradition. It is a revival of a route that historically linked Malta to the wider European network of pilgrimages, dating back to the 16th century. In this way, the Camino Maltés allows pilgrims to retrace the steps of their ancestors, fostering a deep connection with the past and with their faith. As pilgrims set off from the island of Malta, they are reminded of their role in a journey that spans space and time – a journey that ultimately brings them closer to God and to themselves.
If you are interested in the Camino Maltés, visit the Camino Maltes website for more information. You can also contact XirCammini and see their pilgrimage schedule to cover these and other routes in the archipelago. Also, feel free to contact XirCammini:
XirCammini | VO Registration: 1646 |
225, Triq ta’ Xmiexi, Msida, MSD1807 – MALTA
URL: http://xircammini.org | Email: [email protected]
