Its history

At the request of pilgrims who had been arrested as vagrants, the Société Française created the credencial or “pilgrim’s passport” in 1958.

The credencial (“letter of credence” in Spanish) accredits the pilgrim, gives him access to the lodgings reserved for him (but he can also stay in hostels or hotels), sometimes to the “pilgrim’s menu” offered by certain restaurants, and enables him, on arrival in Santiago, to apply to the Cathedral Pilgrim’s Office for his compostela or pilgrimage certificate. The credencial also entitles pilgrims to reduced fares on their return journey by train or plane.

It must be stamped and dated each day at the rest stop.