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Camino pilgrims help rural Spain’s emptying villages survive

Christian Ramirez, 41, and Lourdes Gonzalez, 54, pose during the "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way in Redesilla, northern Spain, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) Noelia Calvo, 46, attends to pilgrims in her accommodation, on the way to a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way in Uterga, northern Spain, Sunday, May 29, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) Shells belonging to pilgrims, the symbol of the "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way in Villarmertero de Campos, northern Spain, Friday, June 3, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) An ancient church near the "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way between Tardajos and Castrojeriz, northern Spain, Thursday, June 2, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) Isaac Franco, 70, plays his guitar with his neighbours in Villarmertero de Campos village, at the "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way , northern Spain, Friday, June 3, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) A house is photographed at "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way in Tardajos, northern Spain, Thursday, June 2, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) Aquilino de Santiago, 59, with his dog Rombo walks with sheep near the "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way near to Villarmertero de Campos, northern Spain, Friday, June 3, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) A sign showing the distance to Santiago displayed for pilgrims during a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way, in Rabe de la Calzada, northern Spain, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) Pilgrims' backpacks photographed inside of a small church during a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way in Rabe de Las Calzadas northern Spain, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) A pilgrim walks during a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way, near to Santo Domingo de La Calzada, northern Spain, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) A view of el "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way, near to Castrojeriz, northern Spain, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) A field of poppy cover the landscape during a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way near to Castrojeriz northern Spain, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) Pilgrims cross a bridge during a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way, in Puente La Reina, northern Spain, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) A pilgrim walks along ancient street during a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way in Cirauqui, northern Spain, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) A pilgrim walks during a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way near to Santo Domingo de La Calzada, northern Spain, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. “The Camino is life,” say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) Dennis Dowling, 75, from United States, shows his Saint James' passport during a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way in Uterga, northern Spain, Sunday, May 29, 2022. Over centuries, villages with magnificent artwork were built along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route crossing Spain. Today, Camino travelers are saving those towns from disappearing, rescuing the economy and vitality of hamlets that were steadily losing jobs and population. "The Camino is life," say villagers along the route. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)