The Camino de Santiago
Historians have argued that a good part of the initial impulse and continuous patronage of the Camino by the church and state was due to its strategic military and political importance against the Muslim kingdoms in the south and central parts of the Iberian Peninsula, which led to the Camino's consolidation by the 11th century.
Thousands of pilgrims had come from all over Europe and many had decided to stay and settle. Camino safety was guaranteed by religious military orders and monasteries ran a network of hospices for pilgrims. Royalty and aristocracy donated money to these hospices as well as building newer and bigger churches, monasteries and cathedrals.