Algemesí is the first town in the Comunitat Valenciana to be officially recognised as part of the pilgrims’ route to Santiago de Compostela.

The body of the Apostle Santiago – originally St James – was found in what is now the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, in the 9th century. From 1075 onwards a pilgrimage dedicated to the Apostle was held, following the star of the Milky Way.

This pilgrimage retains its religious significance but has since become popular with tourists, who make the journey on foot, by car or bicycle, staying in country hotels or casas rurales en route.

Part of the journey runs through various towns and villages in the Comunitat Valenciana, although Algemesí is the first to have erected plaques and signs pointing the way and informing the ‘pilgrim’ of the history of the tradition.

In order to do so, the government of the northern region – the Xunta de Galicia – had to give its seal of approval.

This route coincides with the ancient Roman road, the Vía Augusta, which runs from the north of Spain down to Cádiz on the south coast.

It follows the old Benifaió road through the Señorío de Cotes’ orange groves and crosses the historic quarters of Algemesí, with mandatory stops at the Sant Vicent convent, the pilgrims’ hostel (Albergue de Peregrinos), the Sant Jaume Basílica, the Berca, the Troballa chapel and the Salvador Castell park.

From the latter, the route crosses the Magro river and then goes on to Alzira.