The Jubilee of Culture, organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, in collaboration with the Spanish Episcopal Conference for Education and Culture and the Vatican's Directorate for Museums and Cultural Heritage, was attended by eminent figures in the field of art and heritage management. Among the participants was the writer Almudena de Arteaga, Duchess of Infantado, who has historical links with the Liébana region. Also present were directors of renowned international museums, such as the National Gallery of London, the Prado Museum and the National Gallery of Washington, as well as experts in conservation and promotion of cultural heritage.
The event's program included two days of round table discussions on various topics related to art, religious heritage and its role in the transmission of faith. An international meeting on cultural heritage was also held and a Jubilee audience with Pope Francis was scheduled, which unfortunately could not take place due to the Holy Father's health problems. Participants also took part in visits to the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran, walked through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica and held dialogues on the intersection between art, culture, pilgrimage, heritage, Gospel and faith.
The culmination of the event took place at the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, where they strengthened the bonds of collaboration between the institutions represented at the Jubilee. This meeting underlines the importance of international cooperation in the preservation and promotion of cultural and spiritual heritage.
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports of Cantabria, through the Fundación Camino Lebaniego, has played an active role in this event, participating in the working tables and using the occasion as a preparation for the next Jubilee of Religious Tourism. This significant event will be held at the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana in June, in collaboration with the Bishopric of Santander. The program will include round tables, cultural visits and religious meetings, among other activities, with the aim of deepening the relationship between tourism and spirituality.
The Camino Lebaniego, recognized as a World Heritage Site since 2015, is a pilgrimage route that connects the Camino de Santiago de la Costa with the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana. This monastery houses the largest known relic of the Lignum Crucis, the largest fragment of the cross where Jesus Christ died, which makes it a destination of great spiritual relevance. The route, which extends from San Vicente de la Barquera to Potes, covers approximately 72 kilometers and offers pilgrims a unique combination of natural, historical and cultural richness.
Participation in the Jubilee of Culture in Rome not only reinforces the international projection of the Camino Lebaniego and the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, but also highlights its role in the promotion of cultural and spiritual heritage. These types of events are essential to foster intercultural dialogue and strengthen the ties between different traditions and religious communities.
With an eye on the upcoming Jubilee of Religious Tourism, the authorities and organizations involved continue to work on the elaboration of a program that offers participants an enriching experience, promoting reflection on the importance of spiritual tourism and its contribution to mutual understanding and peace.
The presence of the Camino Lebaniego and Santo Toribio de Liébana in events of this magnitude underlines their relevance in the global cultural and religious panorama, consolidating their position as pilgrimage destinations of reference and as symbols of the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of Cantabria.
