Paulo Almeida Fernandes presents his book in Viana do Castelo

The Association of Friends of the Camino de Santiago of Viana do Castelo is hosting a talk with historian Paulo Almeida Fernandes about his book Mais horizontes do que caminhos — Estudos sobre os Caminhos Portugueses de Santiago (More Horizons than Caminos — Studies on the Portuguese Caminos to Santiago), published by Ego Editora in 2024. The event will take place on July 31, at 9:15 p.m., at the Recolhimento de São Tiago chapel, in Viana do Castelo.

The event will focus on the success of the Portuguese Caminos to Santiago, especially the Coastal Camino, which has drawn growing interest among pilgrims and established itself as one of the most sought-after routes. The discussion will also address the continuing challenges involved in the management, enhancement, and promotion of our unique national Jacobean heritage.

The book is the result of more than ten years of work on the pilgrimage to Santiago and brings together studies, some still unpublished, on the historical foundations of the Portuguese Caminos. The author addresses complex issues involving certification, classification, and massification, while also seeking to answer questions such as: Are all Jacobean itineraries Caminos de Santiago? Does Portugal have too many Caminos? How is a Camino “born”?

Paulo Almeida Fernandes was born in Lisbon in 1974. He holds a PhD in Art History from the University of Coimbra and is a member of the International Committee of Experts on the Camino de Santiago. He has been involved in the certification of Caminos in Portugal, was the rapporteur for the Portuguese Caminos’ nomination to UNESCO in 2015, and served as scientific advisor for the Torres Route between 2017 and 2020.