Santiago de Compostela

The Codex Calixtinus, an illuminated 12^th century manuscript comprised of five volumes, tells how the apostle James’ remains were transferred to Santiago de Compostela, was stolen from the cathedral  on July 5, 2011.  [A year later, it was subsequently discovered hidden in the garage of a former employee of the cathedral, Manuel Fernandez Castineiras, who had worked as a caretaker for more than 25 years at the cathedral, but was fired right before the theft early last year. He had been suing cathedral authorities for unfair dismissal.]

Written in the mid-1100s, book five of the Codex is a sort of a Michelin guide to Santiago, instructing pilgrims on the best routes to take & to avoid the Gascon ferrymen who overload their own boats in order to steal their drowned passengers’ goods, the document takes a dim view of the lands along the pilgrimage route.

An enterprising French monk – Aymery Picaud – enters the pages of history as the first writer of that now well-established literary genre, the travel guide, by documenting in detail the journey. He records not only such practicalities as water sources & lodging places, but warns of such eccentrics as the Navarrese Basques (who exposed themselves when excited & protected their mules from their neighbors with chastity belts). No wonder travel guides went on to become best sellers!

http://blog.oup.com/2012/07/the-meaning-of-the-codex-calixtinus-then-and-now/

Given the French influence in the Iberian peninsula’s cultural & political environment in which the pilgrimage to Santiago developed, the manuscript contains musical notation typical of central France. A section of the Codex added in the mid-12^th century comprises a collection of polyphonic compositions & a complete mass & office for the feast of Santiago.

“The Road to Compostela”, The Rose Ensemble’s program of chant and polyphony from the Codex Calixtinus, the CD is available for purchase/download at: http://bit.ly/18zoI17

M. Alison Stones, Prof of History of Art & Architecture, Univ of Pittsburgh  “The Manuscripts of the Codex Calixtinus”

Jerrilynn D. Dodds, Dean of the College, Sarah Lawrence College  “Art, Experience, & the Exotic on the Road to Santiago”

David L. Simon, Ellerton and Edith Jetté Professor of Art, Colby College “Art and Anecdote on the Road to Santiago“

Paula Gerson, Professor of Medieval Art, Florida State Univ.  “The 12th Century Pilgrim’s Guide to Santiago de Compostela: Art & Mores along the Routes“

Wikipedia, “Way of St. James“