The Camino de Santiago, one of the greatest hiking icons in the world, which has as its destination the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela, in Spain, has just gained another starting point: the island of Malta, starting at the Gruta de São Paulo, in Rabat, and a total length of 3,600 kilometers until the final point. And, for those who wonder how they will cross the Mediterranean Sea channel to reach the island of Sicily and from there to Sardinia, continuing on to Barcelona (where it connects to the Catalan Way, towards the main branch, the French Way), a relief: no, the pilgrim does not need to swim, the route officially includes two ferry crossings.
In fact, the newly named Maltese Way is not the first route on the traditional route that requires crossing the sea. The best known is what, in theory, would be the original version traveled by the apostle James, starting from Jerusalem and traveling 8,500 kilometers across 19 countries and two continents.
But the youngest of the Compostela family also has its ancient faith attractions. It leaves St. Paul’s Grotto, where this other apostle would have taken refuge and preached after the shipwreck that took him to the island in 60 AD, and heads through Zejtun to Fort St. Angelo, in the city of Birgu, with a great connection with the order of the Knights of St. John. Finally, it crosses the port to Valletta, where the pilgrim catches the ferry to Sicily. At the entrance to the fort, a sign points to Galicia, Spain. The formal end of the Camino, which gives the right to a diploma called a compostela, is at the door of Santiago’s cathedral.
The Maltese Way was defined as 34 kilometers long and, according to Jean Pierre Fava, manager of Maltha Faith Tourism, responsible for publicizing the route, interested parties can collect up to six stamps in the Pilgrim’s Passport, a document that certifies the route taken to Santiago. Tradition has it that, to live up to the compostela, which confirms the feat and enables the believer to postulate the remission of all his sins, he must have covered at least 100 kilometers on foot or traveled 200 on horseback or on a bicycle, on a route marked precisely by stamps obtained from accredited establishments.
To Folha, through his consultancy, Fava assured that the altitude of the 34 Maltese kilometers “is nothing dramatic”, and that the highest point of the route does not exceed 100 meters above the sea. Furthermore, most of the walk is on paved stretches, with few pieces of land, making life easier for the pilgrim.
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