Baraja del Camino de Santiago

Pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela date back to the 9th century. The first pilgrim was King Alfonso II, the Chaste, King of Asturias, in 814 (King of Swords). Other famous pilgrims are depicted on the Kings and Knights/Queens including St Francis of Assisi (Knight of Batons) and St Bridget of Sweden (Queen of Scallop shells). These characters are not named on the cards themselves; however, more information can be found at: Ideas Peregrinas. Some of the Jacks are modern-day pilgrims. The non-standard suits are scallop shells (coins), gourds (cups), knives (swords) and staffs (batons). The designs by Guitián (from Galicia) are deliberately naïve and somewhat childlike, no doubt meant to resemble illustrations from medieval texts. See the box►

Above: Baraja del Camino de Santiago published by Ideas Peregrinas, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, c2018. Printed by Maestros Naiperos S.L. (now a division of France Cartes). 40 cards in tuck box. Size: 61 x 95 mm.

• See: Maestros Naiperos Españoles, S.L., una invitación al entretenimiento►