What the Compostela Holy Year is
The Compostela Holy Year, also called Xacobeo, is held when the feast of Saint James, 25 July, falls on a Sunday. That happens in 2027. The Holy Year counts from 31 December 2026, when the Holy Door of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela opens, and runs through all of 2027. The next one will be in 2032.
What it means for pilgrims
Pilgrims who live it can obtain the Jubilee, that is, the plenary indulgence, a spiritual grace. To obtain it, one visits the Cathedral, prays for the Pope’s intentions and receives the sacraments of confession and communion in the days around the visit. The official conditions are published by the Cathedral of Santiago; please confirm them there before travelling.
It is not the same as the Compostela. The Jubilee is a spiritual grace; the Compostela is the pilgrimage certificate, requested at the Pilgrim’s Office with the credential stamped after walking at least the last 100 km on foot or on horseback, or 200 km by bicycle.
How to prepare from Chile
- Book early. July and August, and especially the days around 25 July, tend to be the busiest. For a calmer Camino, consider the European spring or autumn.
- Get your credential before you travel. The Chilean Pilgrim Credential is requested through a form and picked up at the Círculo’s office.
- Walk the Vía de los Andes first. It is 25 km in Santiago, and in Spain you need 75 km instead of 100 for the Compostela.
- Check the travel requirements. Passport, return ticket and other requirements change; always check with the Consulate of Spain in Santiago.
- Receive the pilgrim’s blessing before leaving, and write to us if you have questions.
The Vía de los Andes in the Holy Year
The Vía de los Andes is the Camino de Santiago in Santiago de Chile: 25 km from the Cathedral to the Benedictine Monastery in Las Condes, recognised by the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It is marked with tiles on the ground and can be walked on your own or with the Círculo’s group pilgrimages.
The full guide, with the travel steps and the pastoral letter of the Archbishop of Compostela, is at Compostela Holy Year 2027.