Ten municipalities collaborated to restore and promote the Portuguese Coastal Way in northern Portugal, which follows the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route from Porto to the border with Spain. The route, known in English as the Way of Saint James, has been used since the 15th century by locals and visitors. Pilgrims and hikers are now returning to visit the area in greater numbers.
- 16 August 2019
The project launched various communication and dissemination tools related to the Portuguese Coastal Way, but it was also an extraordinary opportunity for different areas to renew the heritage of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route passes through 10 municipalities in Portugal and has existed since the reign of Manuel I (1469-1521). Some stretches of the trail had fallen into disrepair by 2015 and the routes were no longer well-known by local communities.
To revive interest in this historic trail, the municipalities entered into a partnership agreement in 2015 to improve walking conditions and enhance the cultural value of the Portuguese Coastal Way. A marketing and communications campaign raised awareness of the walking routes and surrounding areas.
Signs of improvement for pilgrims
There was a great deal of variety in signposting along the trail, which caused confusion for hikers. The project standardised signage along the entire inter-city network passing through the municipalities of Matosinhos, Maia, Vila do Conde, Póvoa de Varzim, Esponsende, Viana do Castelo, Caminha, Vila Nova de Cerveira and Valença.
A number of hostels were renovated to provide comfortable accommodation for pilgrims, as well as information points and areas for short rests. The municipalities promoted a cultural programme with an agenda of concerts at monuments along the route.
A range of printed material was published, including a scientific book on pathway studies and a guide for hikers. Smaller pamphlets are available in four languages to encourage visitors from across Europe and beyond. Videos and multimedia have raised awareness of the pilgrimage route. An interactive map which highlights the region’s history and facilities is available via the project’s website and as an application for smartphones.
Growth along the coast
The number of pilgrims walking the trail has increased greatly since the beginning of the improvements. According to the Pilgrim’s Welcome Office of Santiago de Compostela, 1 474 pilgrims used the Coastal Way in 2015. In 2018, the number had grown to 13 839. Overall, 23 972 people have used the trail as a result of the project.
The project contributed to a wider tourism boost across all participating municipalities. Local companies are promoting artisan products and regional activities. It is estimated that these new business opportunities will create more than 200 new jobs.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Appreciation of the Saint. James trails - The Portuguese Coastal Way” is EUR 2 157 784, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 428 379 through the “Regional Norte” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Jobs, Growth and Investment”.