My good Camino buddy Arlene has just posted this on her blog. We’ll be leading a tour along the Portuguese Camino in May… Thanks Arlene!
In Santiago de Compostela, a year is considered Holy or Jacobean if the 25th of July, Saint James Day, falls on a Sunday. The Porta Santa (Holy Door), which gives access to the Cathedral from the Plaza de la Quintana is opened on the 31st of December on the eve of each Holy Year, and closed up again a year later.
Holy Years normally fall every 6, 5, 6, and 11 years: the most recent ones were 1982, 1993, 1999, 2004 and 2010.
Therefore, the next Holy Years will be 2021, 2027 and 2032. However, 2016 will be an important year for pilgrims as it has been declared a ‘Holy Year of Mercy’ by Pope Francis and special events will be taking place.
Santiago Cathedral officials have confirmed the Porta Santa will be open for the Year of Mercy. As in the past, pilgrims reaching Santiago during a Holy…
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PGS the Way 
Bill,
It’s a shame we will be on the Camino in different months in 2016. My group is very lucky, we will be arriving in Santiago on the Eve of St. James Day in time for all the festivities! It should be a real Hoot! (I must confess though, I planned it that way 🙂 ) Am I mistaken in believing you will be arriving for Semana Santa?
Arlène
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