Profile

Email

leida.costa1993@gmail.com

Science ID

CB1C-B4BF-E24C

Ciênciavitae

n/a

ORCID

Lab2PT Group

SpaceR - Space and Representation

Scientific Area

Geography; Economic and Social Geography

Supervision

Paula Cristina Remoaldo Hélder Tiago da Silva Lopes

Project Title

Perceptions and attitudes of residents towards pilgrims in territories along the Portuguese Central Camino of Santiago

Abstract

The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage route in Europe that leads to Santiago de Compostela, where the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is inserted. There are several paths that we can follow to the cathedral, the most traveled being the French Way. The Portuguese Way has several routes and branches, and pilgrims can choose which route to follow, based on the most chosen route, the type of characteristics or their personal preferences. This route is traditionally carried out on foot, although it can also be traveled by bicycle or using other means. On the Camino Portuguese we have the Central Portuguese Way, which comes from the South and runs through the Portuguese territory (passing, for example, through Porto, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima and Valença) to the region of Galicia. This is the Way that we intend to study in this research, involving not only the residents, but also the pilgrims. The resident has a key role in the Camino de Santiago and can interact more or less actively with pilgrims. To assess their perceptions and attitudes about the Camino de Santiago and their interaction with pilgrims, we will use as a primary source a questionnaire survey applied to residents and another to pilgrims, in order to understand their point of view. We will also analyze the landscape (using a grid that will be built) and goods and services proposed to the pilgrims of the Central Portuguese Way, and gathering the support of local authorities and other surrounding associations. Based on the data collected, an action plan will be proposed to be implemented in the short and medium term, in order to improve the interaction between residents and pilgrims and to provide local and regional agents, especially Portuguese, with a way to improve this type of interaction. The mentor of this project will carry out extensive fieldwork, on foot, in the approximately 115 kilometers of extension on the Portuguese side of the Way, between Porto and Valença, and using direct and participant observation. The research that will be carried out has an original character, since it is not common to study the perceptions and interactions between residents and pilgrims.

Keywords

Camino de Santiago, Pilgrimage, Portuguese Camino, Residents, Pilgrims, Landscape

Organic Unit

Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Minho