Stamping along the camino
Stamp exhibition looking at the many pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela
THE ALICANTE Camino de Santiago friends association is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an exhibition of stamps ceded by the Alicante philatelic and numismatic society.
The exhibition pays homage to lovers of the pilgrims’ path and is influenced by the Jacobean tradition that existed in the province from the Middle Ages.
It features around 8,000 stamps from 15 collections.
Since the 13th century, there has been testimony that people from Alicante province left their homes to undertake the pilgrimage after being blessed at Santa María church.
The routes they took followed branches of the path that converged in what is now called the Caminos del Sureste y de la Lana (the southeast and wool ways).
The exhibition unites the traditions of the branches of the Camino that begin in Alicante province with the fascination that people have with stamps and the historical zeal of philatelic research.
The collections on view focus on biographies of the saints, the Mozarab (Iberian Christians who lived under Moorish rule in Al-Andalus) routes to Santiago de Compostela, and the silver route through Extremadura, amongst others.
In 1996 the Alicante Camino de Santiago friends association revived the Sureste and La Lana routes, which are being used increasingly by pilgrims, following maintenance and promotion by 10 related associations.
Provincial deputy for culture, César Augusto Asencio said: “The display is synonymous with quality and a great opportunity to learn about and admire an important part of the philatelic treasure existing in the Valencian community, which combines enjoyment, culture and information with high professionalism”.
Alicante philatelic and numismatic society president, José Miguel Esteban de la Osada pointed out philately propitiates and promotes cultural relationships, and ever since the society was founded in 1946, it has worked to support collecting in the province.
The provincial palace exhibition space is situated at Avenida de la Estación, 6.
The exhibition is open from Monday to Saturday from 10.00-13.00 and 18.00-19.00 until November 17.
Admission is free.