THE SIGNS

It is very important to understand the meaning of the signs that will guide you along The Way Please, read this section thoroughly if it is the first time you do this Way. There are only two signs you should pay attention to: 1.The Shell 2.The Arrow In theory, there shouldn’t be any difficulty in following these two signs, but the real problem is the wide variety of positions The Shell might have and its combination with The Arrow, which may lead to confusion. In Asturias It is generally known -piece of information explained in paperback guides- that the narrowest part of The Shell is the one that will guide you until the city of the apostle. This would be its position All the boundary markers in Asturias are very old and maintain the marked position of the Concha throughout their entire route through these lands. You'll see a yellow arrow painted in random order on many of them. In Asturias, you'll see a variety of markers for the path to follow. • Markers with just the shell. • Markers with the shell and an arrow painted on the body of the marker. • Markers with a shell and a small arrow attached next to it. • Solitary shells where you least expect them. • Yellow arrows painted everywhere. • You'll also find posts containing a shell and arrow combination (follow the arrow). In Galicia It is commonly known, especially in outdated paper guidebooks, that the position of the Concha in this community is that the widest part of the Concha indicates the direction to follow toward the city of the Apostle. This concept has now been superseded. In Galicia , signage is currently uniform. From the moment you enter Alto del Acebo, heading toward Fonsagrada, you'll find cairns on both sides of the Camino every 250 meters. You should note that the markers and signs (plaques with an arrow underneath) that you find on the left side of the path you are on have the shell oriented one way and those on the right side another. But they will always be the same on each side of the road where they are, whether it is the left side or the right side. In Galicia, following specific regulations adopted in 2018 by the Camino de Santiago Council, they have been posting signs for several years following the criteria they hope to adopt in all the Autonomous Communities where the various official routes pass. This consists of a marker with the Concha, a yellow arrow, the remaining kilometers to Santiago, and the name of the Autonomous Community through which the Camino passes. Therefore, when you see a milestone, look for the arrow engraved on it; it is the direction you should follow. In the case of dual signals (shell and arrow), the arrow is the signal that tells you the direction you should continue. In Asturias and Galicia In both communities you will find a sign like the one below. It is not a sign for pilgrims. It is being used to replace the road signs that would have to be used correctly. It is a sign located on the side of the road with which the path coincides and is a warning to vehicle drivers indicating that there is a nearby crossing with pilgrims. This is an example of the signal This sign can also be found at the intersection of dirt roads used by other types of vehicles, such as agricultural or all-terrain vehicles. The conclusion of all the above is reduced to: 1 . When the Mojón has only the Concha, or you see the Concha alone, follow the direction of the Concha as it is planned in Asturias (the narrow part indicates the road to Santiago) or, in Galicia (the wide part indicates the road to Santiago). 2 . When you see the Shell and the Arrow together, follow only the direction indicated by the Arrow, both in Asturias and Galicia. 3 . In both Asturias and Galicia, the single arrow is not difficult to interpret. It is the route along which the Camino should continue.