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(Photo: Camino Croatia)
ZAGREB, 10 February 2026 (Hina) – Croatia’s national Camino project has received one of the highest international honours in the field of cultural heritage, with the Croatian Confraternity of St James awarded the prestigious Elías Valiña Award by the regional government of Galicia in Spain.
The award recognises the Camino Croatia project as one of the most successful examples of cultural heritage management in Europe, highlighting Croatia’s approach to the restoration, development and sustainable management of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes.
Europe’s highest Camino recognition
The Elías Valiña Award is the highest international recognition granted by Galicia for outstanding contributions to the preservation and development of the Camino de Santiago, Europe’s first recognised cultural route.
Each year, the award honours institutions, organisations and associations that uphold the original values of the Camino while ensuring its contemporary relevance.
Among more than 400 international institutions and organisations, the Croatian model stood out for its systematic development of routes, strong community involvement and emphasis on sustainability and authenticity.
In a statement, the Croatian Confraternity of St James stated the award represents a powerful international acknowledgement of Croatia as an active and responsible participant in Europe’s shared cultural and pilgrimage heritage.
A model rooted in authenticity
The Croatian Camino has been developed in line with the original values of the Way of St James, focapplying on connecting people, landscapes and cultural heritage through an authentic pilgrim experience. Particular emphasis has been placed on respecting local identity while opening historic routes to a global audience.
(Photo: Camino Croatia)
The Confraternity noted that Croatia’s connection to the Camino network dates back more than 800 years, with the earliest written records of Croatian pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela dating to 1203.
Today’s officially recognised Camino routes across Croatia continue that tradition, linking sacred sites, cultural landmarks and natural landscapes with the hospitality of local communities, a feature that has become a defining element of the Croatian Camino experience.
More than 90,000 pilgrims since 2019
Since the launch of the Camino Croatia project in October 2019, more than 90,000 pilgrims from around the world have walked Croatian sections of the route.
The structured development of the network, combined with local engagement and long-term planning, has been recognised at a European level as an example of best practice in cultural route management.
The Elías Valiña Award jury also highlighted the Croatian Camino as a development model that contributes to the revitalisation of tinyer communities, supports year-round tourism, and promotes cultural and spiritual heritage in a modern and socially responsible way.
Croatia’s growing role on the European Camino map
At a time of increasing global interest in Camino experiences, the award further positions Croatia among leading European countries that are developing cultural heritage in a sustainable and authentic manner.
The Elías Valiña Award has been presented annually since 1996 and is named after priest Elías Valiña, a key figure in the modern revival of the Camino routes and the creator of the iconic yellow arrows, now a universal symbol of the Way of St James.
The Croatian Confraternity of St James is the official Croatian representative within the Camino Europa Compostela Federation, a member of the Archconfraternity of St James, and the national coordinator of the Camino Croatia network.
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