The military order of the Temple arise in 1118 to reinforce the security of pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem. As a military order they have both functions, monks and knights, and as a part of its function, they were being in charge at some points of the Way to protect pilgrims to Santiago, in Galicia

 They became the first bank, similar to modern banking: pilgrims could give them sums of money in exchange for a promissory note, which they could show at another branch to dispose of their money on the spot and avoid travelling with great wealth. The kings also used this system to make more or less immediate transfers and also to send money to the troops.

Its presence into the Camino is still erected in a few churches. They have a peculiarity compare to other medieval church or cathedral. Its shape is octagonal, why?

This fascinated story begins with the beginning of the Order, after the First Crusade when The Christian Reign of Jerusalem was only 20 years old, two french knights decided to found a new religious and military order whose first aim was to defend pilgrimage routes to Jerusalem. Seconded by other 7 warriors, the new Order was recognized in 1119 and granted its base camp in the terrains of the Mosque Al-Aqsa. The mosque was built over the old Salomon Temple,in Jerusalem, sacred land. The building, described on the Bible, was based on the plans of God transmitted through a dream to Salomon King. It was the paradigm of the sacred architecture, a building centralize around a sacred center instead of the regular basilica plants which are longitudinal.

Churches like this can be found nowadays in the Camino in Eunate, Navarra, in Villalcázar de Sirga, Palencia. The Iberian Peninsula with its fights against the Islam and the pilgrimage to Santiago, used by thousands of medieval pilgrims from all over Europe, was a site where the Temple Knights could cover its function. Other military orders appeared, with even more presence in the Camino as the Malta order. Further than churches in Ponferrada we can see an amazing temple castle on our way to Santiago. In Portomarín a small town by the river Miño, the church built by the Malta order needed to be moved, stone by stone when by Franco’s time a dam was built.  Its shape evokes a castle rather than a church.

A way to Santiago evokes also all the footprints of pilgrims that cover same routes for a thousand years. Monasteries, bridges, hostages…were built when even Spain wasn’t created to shelter a way in a land mostly covered by Islamic. The amazing adventure of all those people is blend with all of our steps. A way in the history, a way in your life.