Adventures Online: Art & History on the Roads to Santiago, Spain

Activity note: Today’s session will start at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and end at approximately 2:30 p.m. Each day there will be two very short breaks during the online program. We recommend that you have pre-prepared snacks/lunch/drinks on hand as the sessions may fall over breakfast or lunchtime periods depending on your time zone.

Morning: 11:00 a.m. Welcome, Orientation, Introductions. The Group Leader will greet everyone and review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, Zoom meeting protocols, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions. We will then say hello to our fellow Road Scholars. 11:30 a.m. Lecture. It has been speculated that what became known as the Camino de Santiago — Way of St. James — actually originated in pre-Christian times. But it was during the 9th Century CE that it became associated with St. James the Apostle. We will learn about the threads of religious tradition that were woven into this tapestry of faith as well as the geography and culture of the many different pilgrimage routes. While it began as a religious journey, many people today also follow the great network of routes for reasons such as fitness, mental relaxation, and connections with nature. All those who walk the Caminos are still known as “peregrinos.” At the end of the lecture, we will have a Q&A session.

Afternoon: 12:20 p.m. Break. 12:35 p.m. Virtual field trip. We will focus on the Via de la Plata, the longest pilgrimage route to Santiago, covering the length of the country from Andalusia through Extremadura, and over Roman roads that joined Emerita Augusta (Mérida) and Asturica Augusta (Astorga). On our way, we’ll retrace the history of the Iberian Peninsula and the Roman conquest. Later we’ll view the hauntingly beautiful coastline of Cabo Finisterre. Although not actually Spain’s most westerly point, it was believed in ancient times to be “the end of the world.” Our journey will end in Santiago as we share the feelings of those who have completed their pilgrimage. With Q&A. 1:30 p.m. Break. 1:40 p.m. Panel discussion. We will be joined by members of the local community for a discussion of life in Galicia and Spain today. With Q&A. 2:25 p.m. Wrap-up and notes for tomorrow.

Activity note: Today’s session will start at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and end at approximately 2:00 p.m.

Morning: 11:00 a.m. Review of the day. 11:05 a.m. Lecture. We’ll start with an overview of the history of Spain during the Middle Ages and the coexistence of three literary and religious cultures— Judaism, Christianity, Islam — on Iberian soil. We’ll also get a glimpse of monastic life in medieval times, learn about the builders of cathedrals and remember literary masterpieces such as the epic poem that refers to the legend of “El Cid,” Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (c. 1043-1099), a real life historical figure who became Spain’s national hero. 11:55 a.m. Break.

Afternoon: 12:05 p.m. Virtual field trip. We will trace the Camino Francés — the French Way —. We’ll start at the border town of Roncesvalles, proceeding through Pamplona and Castile to Santiago de Campostela, a trip of nearly 500 miles (780 km). We’ll have Q&A at the end of our virtual field trip. 1:00 p.m. Break. 1:10 p.m. Lecture. We’ll have an introduction to food and wines of northern Spain. We’ll learn about the diverse and sophisticated gastronomical delights in one of the most renowned areas of the country. 1:50 p.m. Wrap-up and notes for tomorrow. 2:00 p.m. Today’s session will end.

Activity note: Today session will start at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and end at 2:10 p.m.

Morning: 11:00 a.m. Review of the day. 11:05 a.m. Lecture. We will have an overview of the geography, history, art, and culture of the original and oldest pilgrimage route: the Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago, and consider the symbolism of the Way. During the 9th and 10th centuries, this was the route most frequently followed by people of Asturias and Galicia as well as other parts of northern Spain and Europe. Along with the Camino del Norte, it has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. With Q&A.

Afternoon: 12:00 p.m. Break. 12:10 p.m. Virtual field trip. We will “visit” some of Spain’s most verdant and scenic countryside in Basque Country, Asturias, and northern Galicia, all along the routes of the Camino Primitivo and Camino del Norte. With Q&A. 1:00 p.m. Break. 1:10 p.m. Interactive discussion. We will discuss the language, traditions and customs to be found in the Basque Country, and consider the unique character of this culture. 1:50 p.m. Wrap-up and farewells. 2:10 p.m. This concludes our program.