When I was in Santiago this year there I visited Pilgrim House again.
Pilgrim House is a place in Santiago for Pilgrims to relax, meet up and reflect on the experiences they had on Camino - it's staff speak English, Spanish and some German and Chinese and the building has free WiFi, a sitting area, a small kitchenette (a full kitchen has not been built because of building regulations which meant an industrial venting system would be needed so Pilgrim House is building up what they can with a fridge, microwaves and on the day I was there a hot plate had just been delivered and was being set up) as well as inside and outside quieter areas and a library which had Lord of the Rings in English and Spanish! They do not at present have beds but are hoping that they will be able to provide somewhere with some in the future until then they are happy to provide information on possible places to stay.
For a suggested donation they also offer Printing (0.20€ a page), bag storage (1.50€ a bag or 0.50€ for a walking stick), Laundry (5€) and hot drinks for 1€
Pilgrim House has been set up by people who also love travelling and who have, 'searched for purpose and wondered about life' (http://pilgrimhousesantiago.com/pilgrim/about-pilgrim-house/) and so have set up Pilgrim House as a place for pilgrims to meet and reflect as well as somewhere that Pilgrims can have their needs covered (eating, washing etc.). They lay out their mission as (from http://pilgrimhousesantiago.com/pilgrim/about-pilgrim-house/):
While I was there last year I took the chance to paint a stone - plain stones are provided along with paint and pens. You choose a stone and then paint it or write a message on it and then wrap it in the tissue paper provided and place it in the basket and take one of the stones done by another Pilgrim as a 'gift' from them. This year I was given a stone that another Pilgrim had painted but there was nothing out to paint another for someone else.
Pilgrim House also has 'question' sheets which have short ideas to help you to reflect upon the journey you have taken.
We also attended one of their Pilgrim meet-ups this time and it was nice to have a chance to talk to other Pilgrims after so much time alone on this Camino.
We also talked to two of the members of staff both of whom have walked a couple of Caminos.
Pilgrim House is a place in Santiago for Pilgrims to relax, meet up and reflect on the experiences they had on Camino - it's staff speak English, Spanish and some German and Chinese and the building has free WiFi, a sitting area, a small kitchenette (a full kitchen has not been built because of building regulations which meant an industrial venting system would be needed so Pilgrim House is building up what they can with a fridge, microwaves and on the day I was there a hot plate had just been delivered and was being set up) as well as inside and outside quieter areas and a library which had Lord of the Rings in English and Spanish! They do not at present have beds but are hoping that they will be able to provide somewhere with some in the future until then they are happy to provide information on possible places to stay.
For a suggested donation they also offer Printing (0.20€ a page), bag storage (1.50€ a bag or 0.50€ for a walking stick), Laundry (5€) and hot drinks for 1€
Pilgrim House has been set up by people who also love travelling and who have, 'searched for purpose and wondered about life' (http://pilgrimhousesantiago.com/pilgrim/about-pilgrim-house/) and so have set up Pilgrim House as a place for pilgrims to meet and reflect as well as somewhere that Pilgrims can have their needs covered (eating, washing etc.). They lay out their mission as (from http://pilgrimhousesantiago.com/pilgrim/about-pilgrim-house/):
1. To help meet the practical needs of pilgrims.
2. To create spaces where pilgrims can gather together and share stories, maintaining that strong sense of community that forms along the Camino.
3. To provide places where pilgrims can reflect on their journeys. We welcome pilgrims of all faith backgrounds, and for those who are spiritually seeking we will encourage them to look for answers in a historical faith rooted in the person of Jesus.
The site has been set up by International Teams which is a non-profit organization that seeks to reflect Jesus’s love, compassion, and justice in all it does and have partnered with Iglesia Vida Nueva in Spain (forming a new group Terra Nova which aims to look after pilgrims off the Camino. Pilgrim House is their first endeavour.
The site has been set up by International Teams which is a non-profit organization that seeks to reflect Jesus’s love, compassion, and justice in all it does and have partnered with Iglesia Vida Nueva in Spain (forming a new group Terra Nova which aims to look after pilgrims off the Camino. Pilgrim House is their first endeavour.
While I was there last year I took the chance to paint a stone - plain stones are provided along with paint and pens. You choose a stone and then paint it or write a message on it and then wrap it in the tissue paper provided and place it in the basket and take one of the stones done by another Pilgrim as a 'gift' from them. This year I was given a stone that another Pilgrim had painted but there was nothing out to paint another for someone else.
Pilgrim House also has 'question' sheets which have short ideas to help you to reflect upon the journey you have taken.We also attended one of their Pilgrim meet-ups this time and it was nice to have a chance to talk to other Pilgrims after so much time alone on this Camino.
We also talked to two of the members of staff both of whom have walked a couple of Caminos.
The whole place is very welcoming and relaxed with plenty of places to sit and chat or just be quiet. I recommend this as a place that is worth visiting.
They also have two sellos there.
Pilgrim House is located at Rúa Nova 19
Map taken from google maps
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