HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography (2010) 4.1, 17-31 www.humangeographies.org.ro

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO – PLACE NAMES AND STREET NAMES AS BORDER POSTS IN THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY (I)

Ion Nicolaea*

aDepartment of Geography, Bucharest University, Bucharest, Romania

Abstract: An important subject of interest for human geographers has been, since at least Friedrich Ratzel’s time, the link between geographical reality and the place-names. These ‘fossils of human geography’ (cf. Raoul Blanchard) have become nowadays increasingly attractive for the cultural geographers interested, among other issues, in explaning the impact of some political actions (for instance giving names with political connotations to different places, especially streets and other public places) on the collective memory. Authors’ pedestrian trip (of almost 800 km) through the northern Spain along the St. James’ Way has been both, an experience, of meeting special people from all around the world and, an opportunity to discover the Spanish ‘place names envelope’ - at home. In addition it created the right occasion for the author to reflect on the impact of recent law on ‘Historic Memory’ (La Ley de la Memoria Historica) of the street names. This paper analyses the places names and the street names of some settlements of St James’ Way () emphasysing the sources of places names (historical, natural, economical, religious ones) and the actions of the local authorities to implement the central decisions in the field of street names. There are used limited amount of examples as the work is at its beginning.

Key words: Places names, Streets names, Political actions, Religious and historical aspects, St James’ Way

Introduction situations from the past, closer or distant, situations which had impressed the The idea of this study appeared on the wide inhabitants, marked their existence, north-Spanish places crossed in the summer remaining in the memory of inhabitants, of the years 2008 and 2009 in the context of being noted in written documents of various pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Since significations. Once noted – as “marks” of in each locality where we were resting at the different parts of geographical reality – they end of a stage remained a few hours of acquired other significations as well than walking and contact with local reality, I those of contributing to orientation / considered properly to use this time to positioning of inhabitants in space. The discover the names of the places from the mental component, of the symbol represented local horizon (focus on streets’ names). by these names, increased with the Gradually, I gathered an interesting material, development of society. used as well in my lectures to students. In the real / particular case of the space As in the case of other spaces, the where is registered Camino de Santiago Toponymy of Spain represents a true archive (version camino frances) – route crossed by which preserves the memory of some pilgrims all over the world for more than a thousand years – the significations of places’ *Corresponding author: names exceed the simple reporting of Iberians Email: [email protected] to the space which they populate, offering ION NICOLAE interesting situations to those who are noted most famous town of Occidental Europe) and on camino due to cultural reasons. The resort Malaga, founded by Tyrians under the name to bibliographical sources and direct of Gadeira (romanised Gades, taken over by knowledge of appointed object remain Arabians as Qadis) and respectively Mainake obligatory conditions for a correct explanation (the Romans named it Malaca) (Celdran, 2002, of geographical names, of the significations 185, 465). The most “consistent” contributions incorporated by these during years. In the was that of Romans who dominated the particular case of streets’ names (odonyms), Iberian space, imposing a sole language, where we deal with an intervention (with variable appeared several names of places arrived up to intensities) of authorities, the streets’ names our days, in forms obviously amended but being most often used by inhabitants. meant to evoke their Latin origin. Ex. Astorga Taken as a whole, the names of places (

18 HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography, (2010) 4.1, 17-31 CAMINO DE SANTIAGO – PLACE NAMES AND STREET NAMES river”)(Albaiges, 1998, 294). Some Arabian al-qasr (arrived in Spanish as alcazar) is the hydronyms stood – by extension – on the base Arabian form of Latin castrum. On the track of other geographical categories of toponyms of pilgrims we encounter Villalcazar de Sirga, such as Guadarrama (in Arabian wadi ar- accommodation near Carrión de les Condes. Ramla, “river with sand, sandy”), name worn Another Arabian term – passed practically today by a locality (thus an oiconym) with unchanged (phonetically) in Spanish – is al- several mineral sources and mountain chain qantara (“bridge”), reproduced by the well- (namely a morphonym / oronym) near Madrid known oiconym Alcantara (prov. Caceres, (Sierra de Guadarrama). Some Arabian Extremadura) name came from the bridge denominations “migrated” with the Spanish over Tajo built during the reign of emperor colonists in the New World, being notorious Traian5 (Albaiges, 1998, 48). in this respect the oiconym Guadalajara worn Several toponyms (not all) which begin by one of urban agglomerations (4,2 million with the morpheme al- suggest the Arabian inhabitants, 2005) of Mexico. origin of these, signalling geographical Returning to Spain, let’s say that realities of most various. More known by oiconyms are also numerous, having as origin geographers (economists) is the oiconym the Arabian term al qalat (fortification/ Almaden which signalises antic exploitations castle/borough) – sign of long conflicts (until of cinnabar (mercury mineral) active as well 1492) between Christians and Moslems. currently from Ciudad Real province (Castilla Example: a) Alcala de Henares (

Figure 1. Dialects of Spanish/Castilian language

HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography, (2010) 4.1, 17-31 19 ION NICOLAE themselves the legitimate followers of name francos9. The infrapage text is enough Visigoths kings – known as Reconquista – also expressive in original to be translated. had a significant role in Iberian toponymic This brief presentation emphasizes the denomination. There are several names of general lines of Spanish toponymy, an original places formed of hagionyms, from San Adrian toponymy, result of superposition of several (locality in Navarra), to San Vicente (de layers of civilisation and culture. It reflects Alcantara, …de la Barquera, …de la Sonsierra both the distinct characteristics of natural etc.) (Celdrán, 2002, 692-721). But the most elements (there are no names of places given famous is Santiago de Compostela, place randomly, all are motivated) as well as the where are encountered the relics of Iacob action of humanisation of landscape and apostle, under the flag of whom took place elements of culture specific to the people Reconquista. Obviously, there are not absent which succeeded over millennia. It appears as names formed with the word santa – “saint”, distinct element in European toponymic the examples being numerous as well, from assembly the amount of names of places Santa Agueda from the Country of Basques to formed in (or under the influence) Arabian Santa Ursula from Canary Isles. In the language, more numerous in the south half category of hagionyms are also included Santa and less numerous in the northern one among Cruz (saint cross) and Santa fe (saint faith) which Camino de Santiago. These are added which enter in the structure of some names of the names of places resulting from hagionyms, places from Spain and Latin America. More numerous all along the pilgrimage track. known examples: Santa Cruz de Tenerife (arch. Let’s also recall the fact that due to their Canarias/Canare), Santafe de Bogota priority in the colonisation of New Word, the (Colombia). Spanish people brought beyond Atlantic These names formed in the space of Ocean10 essential elements of their civilisation Castilian (Spanish) language are added those and culture of which couldn’t miss the names from the space of Catalan language (regional of places. There has been emphasized thus an language) formed with the term Sant (Sant American double of Hispanic toponymic cover Adria – the equivalent of San Adrian, San in the assembly of Latin America (with Andreu, San Antoni. The name of Virgin Mary “extensions” in south of USA)11. (in Spanish Nuestra Virgen to which is added several times a determinative depending on the places / situations where, by traditions was signalised the Mother of God) appears not Camino de Santiago – expressive only in oiconyms (names of localities) but also sample of Spanish toponymy in odonyms; there have been reviewed 474 streets whose name remind of the day of St. James’ Way / Camino de Santiago,general Hispanity (12 October) which, in Catholic name given today to the most frequent route calendar, is also the day of the patron of Spain of pilgrimage focused by Santiago de 12 (Nuestra Senora del Pilar); of the 474 streets, Compostela, named in Spain camino frances 137 have the name of Calle de la Hispanidad it is one of the most interesting elements of 13 and 337 the name of Calle de Nuestra Senora European cultural geography (fig. 2). del Pilar)8. Today, when desacralization of world One shall also mention the colonisation reached a high level, it is appreciated rather as actions performed by Iberian kings (of the oldest tourist itinerary described for the Navarra, Leon, Castilia, Aragon etc.) after first time in the first tourist guide in the which, gradually, have conquered from history (XII century)14. It was asserted by the Moslems the territories lost at the beginning great German man of culture J.W. Goethe that of VIII century. It is interesting that in the this road, crossed for hundreds of years by localities from the route to Santiago de representatives of all European people, “is the Compostela have also settled colonists from one who created Europe”15. We may say, at the beyond Pyrenees, known under the medieval same time, - closer to the theme of this study

20 HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography, (2010) 4.1, 17-31 CAMINO DE SANTIAGO – PLACE NAMES AND STREET NAMES

Figure 2. The main route of St James’ Way ( the French route)

– that it is also the most famous odonym of (even national one). Given the specificity of our continent. the trip (crossing a route of almost 800 km Therefore, a trip (or several, such those within a reasonable time), the toponymic/ of the author, 2006-2009) with the pilgrims odonymic research was restricted to the space came from all parts of the world is a unique of small accommodations (villages, hamlets) experience which favours as well the and only tangential presented the knowledge of a cultural-historic space with a nomenclature of most important urban remarkable originality. A first direction was accommodations. represented by some pertinent explanations The almost 200 localities on the main for numerous localities (large and small, many track named Camino francés represent a true of them very small) which range as beads on a sample of toponymic layer of Spain, bearing thread along the camino. We resorted to the signs of permanent presence of man and specialised volumes (partly quoted in this of his pressure on the environment. At the paper) and to some information picked up same time, their names represent a true from locals. mirror of the languages spoken in time in N Another specific, particular direction of this experience was represented by the Spain: the idiom basc, pre-Roman idioms knowledge of odonymy (names of streets, (Celtic), Latin, Germanic languages and markets inside localities) class of names of Arabian; they express as well the efforts of places which synthesize the entire experience refreshment of co-official languages, Basque of inhabitants, amended not few times by the (euskerra) in Navarra and Galician (gallega) in intervention of authorities of superior rank the NW of the country.

HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography, (2010) 4.1, 17-31 21 ION NICOLAE

From the multitude of names of places Orbigo, Hospital de Condesa, Hospital da Cruz; noted on camino, we have selected some then points of passing over waters/rivers: examples for different situations which Puente la Reina de Jaca, Zubiri (in contribute to the emphasis of toponymic Basque/euskerra “village on the bridge”), layer16. Puente la Reina, San Nicolas de Puente Fitero, Let’s start with those oiconyms which Puente Villarente, Puente Castro, Ponferrada emphasize a trait of natural environment (“bridge with steel reinforcements”, the most where appears and is developed the human famous of all), Ponte Nova (after Samos). accommodation. We deal with: a) vegetal Other oiconyms emphasize the road formations – Artieda (oakery), Lizarra (ash) – itself, the placement of localities along it, in both leaving from Basque words, El Acebo order to distinguish them of other localities (bay, plant specific to Mediterranean areas, situated in other localisations. From this point Castaneda (place with many chestnuts); b) of view, it appears a really interesting situation elements of relief / lithology – Tardajos (knob, namely that the first locality having the height), Sangüesa/Zangoza (

22 HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography, (2010) 4.1, 17-31 CAMINO DE SANTIAGO – PLACE NAMES AND STREET NAMES

Other oiconyms signalise the anthropic elements with functional character: Strada pressure over environment, more exactly the Mare, Piata Sfatului, Strada Spitalului, Strada removal of natural vegetation: Bisericii etc. (

HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography, (2010) 4.1, 17-31 23 ION NICOLAE

removal of names related to franchist period. They have acquired deep significations after the approval by Parliament and publication in the Official Journal of Law no. 52/2007 named the Law for Historic Memory (Ley de la Memoria Historica)21 which identifies as well the means of intervention over franchist “inheritance”, one of these being as well the street nomenclature22. At the level of a locality, the odonyms are constituted in the geographical category of names of places the most often used. This happens because they are used daily in

Photo 1. Madrid – Street denomination from a orientation and positioning within the lived victory of Christian fleet - led by Juan de Austria space (town, borough, village). Obviously, (half brother of King Phillip II of Spain) – over the some names are used more than others and Turkish one near Lepanto, in 1571 this is reflected within the respective name as (photo I. Nicolae). it is the case of the main place of meeting / gathering of locals – “Plaza Mayor” – and of Most of the streets’ names were leaving the main street “Calle Mayor” (which not few from certain local references used by locals, times bears the name of Calle Real). We tried and the first street “marked” by plates was to find out to what extent the track to naturally Calle Mayor (main street). The Santiago is noted in the street nomenclature indicating plates have acquired gradually (not of the localities crossed, the real situations everywhere) an esthetic, figurative charge, being enough different. If in Atapuerca reminding of respective name (Photo 1). (locality with special resonance at European To be reminded that, once entered in 23 level) , the main street is called Calle Camino the use of inhabitants, the street de Santiago in Riego de Ambrós (near nomenclature has suffered modifications Ponferrada) this name is assigned to a short according to political orientations street, situated at the west side of the state, denominated / came to power in Madrid. name meant to orientate the These modifications were obviously partial travellers/pilgrims! and concerned those names of personalities An explanation of the reduced number which no longer “corresponded” to the new of odonyms related to the route of pilgrims is political regime. In case of Palencia (which also the fact that in most cases the route – may be extrapolated at the level of the entire within the locality – superposes with the main urban assembly of the country), the first street called Calle Mayor/Calle Real. If we modifications occurred during the years of consider the fact that most localities appeared that Sexenio revolucionario (period or occurred due to the road to Santiago, we consecutive to the reign of queen Isabel II). may appreciate that the name of Calle For instance, in Palencia, the odonyme Mayor/Calle Real is eventually a “modified” Paseo del Salon de Isabel II was replaced by a version for Camino Santiago. This fact is “proper” one namely Paseo de la Libertad. The confirmed as well by the fact that in large restoration has removed the modifications towns such as Logrono and Ponferrada the and proposed other names, of traditional name of Camino de Santiago was assigned to conservators. Other changes have occurred some new residential complexes situated at during the 2nd republic (1931-1936) the edge of outside built-up area all along the subsequently during the franchist regime and classical track of pilgrims. In Logrono there is eventually during post-franchist period, of also a Calle de Santiago, street perpendicular restoration of monarchy and democracy. on urban track of pilgrims, in the point of Upon returning to a democratic regime, one junction of the two streets being located the has passed gradually (not immediately) to the church dedicated to apostle. On Calle de

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Santiago, there are also two commemorative of central power as it proves the refusal of plates (since 1955 and respectively 1983) local management from Revenga de Campos dedicated to Delhuyar brothers, the (locality from Tierra de Campos, a region discoverers of Wolfram, especially valuable mainly agricultural from N Castilla) to remove metal, plates which complete the information the street nomenclature of the name Jose offered by the street nomenclature and Antonio Primo de Rivera, leader of falangist necessary to collective memory (Photo 2 ab). movement from inter-war period, assassinated during republican government which preceded the civil war. A discussion with locals on August 10th 2009 (within almost two years after the approval by Spanish Parliament of the “Law for historic memory”) showed me that they do not wish to change the respective denomination.

Photo 2 b. Atapuerca – Street marking the former / medieval autonomy (photo I. Nicolae) Photo 2 a. Rabanal del Camino: Street marking

(photo I. Nicolae). It is noticed how the main street Calle Real superposes to the urban section of In other words, the odonymy of north- Camino de Santiago. Spanish space crossed by foot for weeks is an exciting one contributing to the completion of A significant side of denomination in (personal) knowledge of Hispanic world of Iberian (Spanish) space is represented by the today and yesterday. Some comparisons with high degree of autonomy concerning the situations encountered / known on our lands organisation of individual space of life. From are necessary, these representing a the point of view of toponymy, this fact is geographical gain of my walking experience. marked, among others, by the conservation of There were considered the two major some names (related to the local collective significations of odonymy namely: patrimony) among which it is noticed fuero- a) The geographical one, in species under the form Plaza/Calle de los Fueros, that of useful reference in daily life of the odonym which notes an ostentation, we may inhabitants of community and not only (more say, the element of autonomy assigned once to exactly, as well of passengers such as the respective community (by central power) pilgrims to Santiago); maintained with pride by the locals of old b) That of reference as (collective) boroughs, today small towns or even rural memory. The latter issue, obvious mainly communes (Photo 3)24. within urban localities, with appreciable Autonomy presents sometimes even number of inhabitants and implicitly of forms of resistance opposite to the decisions streets, has acquired consistency and

HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography, (2010) 4.1, 17-31 25 ION NICOLAE importance beginning with XIX century, based period. The disposals of law for historic on modernisation of European societies, of memory (since December 2007) are applied urbanisation. The rural and urban localities of depending on local context, existing as well inferior rank (former feudal boroughs) were adverse reactions (to see Revenga de Campos reached later and within a measure limited by case). this phenomenon. The forms taken by these We shall present further on two real names (others than those which refer to situations of application of this law in Navarra spaces and events with local resonance) are space, more exactly in that of Pamplona, town very different: it is about values (equality, famous for its feasts of San Fermin marked by equity, solidarity), institutions (the most often those competitions of Taurus on the streets of the town hall, the church, and in more historical centre26 competitions which also important localities, university, theatre etc.) or have human protagonists, dressed in specific personalities which may offer examples suits (in white, red colours) and which, some (Badariotti, 2002, 286). of them remain with unpleasant memories The nomenclature of localities crossed (while others remain only with memories). show clearly (especially in case of hamlets, The first situation is that of Chantrea / small villages) how, at the beginning, Txantrea quarter (N of the town), quarter odonymy referred to the function of a place built for more than half a century where most (of cult, market, gathering …) which offered it initial denominations resulted from a real and high informative content. This fact anthroponyms with franchist resonance27. The is completed by another value of the names of criterion used to replace these names became streets namely by the facilitation of street “improper” was that of regional reference of respective places and therefore of representation, the new names being selected orientation in territory with a view to optimise among the oiconyms of Pamplona hollow its use, its management, the trips which are (Cuenca). The suggestion to use in necessary etc. Thus, the most important denomination the names of those assassinated square – Plaza Mayor was (and sometimes still by ETA did not acquire enough votes in the is) in its central part having as visible local council of Pamplona. The decision of complementary element the church which change came from TAN (Tribunal bears the name / saint of the locality patron. Administrativo de Navarra). 20 streets have This space, geographical reference must be regarded from two angles: first and always received in November 2008 new names, that of obvious orientation in the lived space actions which needed 7000 Euro (for the 80 and then to determine a posteriori different plates, 75 euro/piece) (Table 1). phases of space development of locality. For The second local situation of small instance, when we see that Plaza Mayor no ampleness but with a more special longer has a central position but a relatively signification is that of the square Conde de peripheral one, we may conclude that the Rodezno, one of the important markets of territorial development of accommodation Pamplona. This name assigned during was directed (the reasons must be searched franchist period after that of minister Tomas for) towards the part far from it25. Dominguez de Arevalo (1882-1952, the last The recent evolutions on the line of count / conde de Rodezno) was maintained application of law for the historic memory being withdrawn only the reference to the shows that things are not simple at all, the respective minister and being reefed to this wounds from the past (franchist) are difficult noble title created in 1790. The maintenance to cure. If the name of Franco has disappeared was possible given the fact that PNV (the relatively fast from street nomenclature party with most mandates in local council) (returning to the names worn previously), considered enough the respective “ministerial” other names of personalities related to removal in order to fulfill the requirements of franchist regime have survived up to recent “Law of Historic Memory”28.

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Table 1. Streets from Chantrea with changed the grazed animals, a mill, a bridge etc.) names (in italics the old names) - Signalises the position within the locality of the most important objectives for  Calle Coronel Alfonso Beorlegui ….. Cuenca de respective community (church, market, Pamplona; school, a fortification, a monastery etc.) 29  Calle Andrés Gorricho …..Cendea de Iza; - Uses frequently in most rare  Travesia de Andrés Gorricho ….. Travesia accommodations (not only with one-three Cendea de Iza; streets), hagionyms often some with local  Calle José Jimeno ….. Calle Cendea de Olza,  Travesia de José Jimeno …. Travesia Cendea de resonance. This is one of specific characteristics Olza; of St. James’ Way.  Calle Agustin Flamarique …. Calle Cendea de - Uses names of personalities and events Cizur, which marked the local, regional or national  Calle Jesús Vásquez ….. Calle Cendea de Galar; history (ex. Calle Conde Camarasa in  Calle Mario Rueda ….. Calle Huarte, Castrojeriz, important personality of the place  Calle Crescencío Lacumberri ….. Calle Arteta, a few centuries ago as well as Calle Ramon y  Calle Francisco Urías ….. Calle Benáin, Cajal, scientific personality of European rank  Calle Jesús Blasco …... Calle Cordovilla, in Villarmentero de Campos, a hamlet with  Calle Ramon Esquíroz ….. Calle Ibero; less than 20 inhabitants).  Calle Francisco Goñi ….. Calle Noáin;  Calle Jesus María Aznares ….. Calle Tiebas; - Emphasizes the pressure of political  Calle José Huércano ….. Calle Zuasti; factor (from the last one hundred years,  Calle Julio Casi ….. Calle Paternáin, approximately) which is more and more  Calle Lucio Arrieta ….. Calle Imarcoáin, conscious of the value of odonyms as  Calle Federico Mayo ….. Calle Berrioplano, participants to the creation of collective  Calle Marcos Goñi ….. Calle Berriosuso*, mentalities (beyond the strictly local social  Calle Fermín Isturiz ….. Calle Berriozar. space). This issue becomes clear if we compare *to see Photo 3. the current nomenclature with the one existent in the franchist period. Given the multitude of settlements Current stock (analysed) of odonyms crossed on Camino we shall develop during along the camino: this stage only the odonymy of two of them, - Includes – with priority – elements of namely Atapuerca and Castrojeriz, local economic and cultural environment remaining the other observations (to be (gardens of vegetable, areas to be threshed, a continued as well in the summer of 2010) to be fountain / a source from where drink water presented in a future study.

Photo 3. New street marking (since November 2008) in Chantrea/Txantrea (Pamplona)

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Atapuerca Case30

The collection of these names proved to be a real pleasure, not only scientific, but also esthetical, due to special, suggestive forms of street plates, performed of ceramic and having a pictogram revealing for such names (see picture and some explanations further on). The stock of odonyms is the following: Calle Camino de Santiago (main street of locality); Calle Pablo Garcia Virumbrales; Calle Fuero de Atapuerca; Calle Fuente Cubillo; Calle

El Mirador (after the name of the cave where have been discovered the tracks of Homo Photo 4. Atapuerca: Suggestive street marking (photo by I. Nicolae) antecessor); Calle Turrumbero; Plaza del

Consejo; Calle La Revilla (after the name of the b) of concrete realities of local space: oldest quarter / barrio of the locality); Calle del Aire (Photo 4); Calle Fuenteron; Calle Hospital C/San Martin is a street which goes/leads to de Peregrinos; Calle Pradolagunas (the the church with the same name (that from the indicating plate presents as symbol two hill). C/Fuenteron leads to a water source near puddles with some vegetation around); Calle the village used currently by the sheep of Las Vinas; Plaza Fundacion Atapuerca; Calle El locals taken to graze, C/Fuente Cubillo leads to Chorreton (symbol of a spring); Calle San a source from the lower side of the village. A Vicente; Calle Valhondo (as symbol, a deep special denomination reflecting the nature of valley); Calle San Polo; Calle Papasol; Calle La the area is C/del Aire which reminds of the fact Charola; Calle San Cristobal; Calle San Martin; that on respective street is concentrated the Calle Batalla de Atapuerca; Calle Marigarcia; wind which blows from the mountain. Last Plaza Antecessor; Calle Cueva Mayor; Calle El but not least, C/Camino de Santiago appoints Molino (leads towards a mill which was once the street on which travel for centuries the in the field, over the hill); Calle Barriguelo pilgrims. (symbolises a fontain); Calle Portalon; Calle c) of famous local persons. It is about Fin de Rey (it is about king Garcia of Navarra Pabli Garcia Virumbrales who emigrated in who died in the battle of 1054, reproduce Mexico, gave the necessary amount to build a annually with a certain pomp). modern school (75 years ago) and whose name Analysed, these odonyms confirm us is worn by a square and a street from the that here, on Spanish lands, toponymy is a centre of the locality. We may also include true archive of history – older or newer – of herein, figuratively speaking, that ascendant such place. In the respective locality – famous of ours named Homo Antecessor, whose name currently through the discovery of fossils of is worn by a market from V locality. This the oldest hominid of Europe (Homo name is “reinforced” by a monument, antecessor, of almost one mil. years), the representing this prime hominid as hunter (it streets remind of: as discovered that it was also practicing a) famous battles of almost a cannibalism). For a higher precision and millennium since 1054, battle which changed establishment of this discovery unique in the life of Spain. King Fernando I of Castilla Europe, two streets remind of the places won and not his brother king Garcia of where have been discovered the fossils of Navarra (C/Batalla de Atapuerco); a former hominid: C/Cueva Mayor and C/El Mirador. church (case of the street C/San Polo – For a plus of local color transmitted to information from a local woman) and of an the ones in transit (pilgrims or not) let us old monastery (C/San Vicente) existent once remind that one restaurant is entitled in the neighbouring mountain region (Sierra Comosapiens, the paronym of Homo sapiens31. de Atapuerca).

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Castrojeriz Case32 “Homenaje a los que desde 1000 anos dan forma y espiritu al camino; Castrojeriz, 15 A second example is offered by a city in septiembre 2001”34; then, the memorial stone Burgales Meseta with an interesting past, on the wall of a house bordering Paseo to the Castrojeriz being the first establishment in west (laid in 1992) signaling another local Castilla which in 974 was given certain pride element that is Alvarez Perez Osorio was privileges, that Fuero, through which it was born here, “traveling companion of Cristobal created in time caballeria villana (a country Colón and Pedro de Mendoza” (the last – gentry). It was the basis of a more and more “poblador de la Rio de la Plata”). powerful army that made Castilla the center of the Spanish state. An obelisk erected in 1974 in the park in the middle of the town reminds Conclusions of this very special historic fact. The name of the town is related to the The odonymy seen on Camino de Santiago fortification on the peak dominating today’s reflects the age of populating, its specific, the fair (Castrum Sigerici), fortification specific of the natural and social environment. transformed in ruins by the Iberic earthquake - The way of pilgrims to Santiago de in 1755 that destroyed the capital of Portugal Compostela is marked not only by yellow as well. The city has three longitudinal streets arrow and Saint James shell but also by (someway along the level curve) that are C/Real (with two components: Calle Real specific odonyms as Calle Camino de Santiago, Oriente, Calle Real Ponente (reported to Plaza Calle del Peregrino etc. Mayor), C/del Cordon and C/Camarasa (from - The religious specific is outlined by the the name of the count of Camarasa). Between presence of and of numerous hagionyms them there are the so-called travesias (small specific objectives (churches, roadside crosses, streets). monuments etc.). From Plaza Mayor, C/Peregrinos - The intervention of the officials is felt detaches, which is not included in the pilgrims’ by promotion of names of personalities with route as they cross the city on C/Real Ponente. national resonance (political men, of culture, This odonym C/Peregrinos not related to the of science). At the same time, in the context of route of the pilgrims consigns the social- town-planning development, the new cultural reality of the camino with an odonyms are destined, in certain cases to important role in the life of the inhabitants. fortify the national/regional feeling. We have In the odonyms stock, there are also: the example of the Estella’s outskirt area C/Arcos Sardina; Travesia de Camarasa, called Irache/Iratxe (after the name of the Travesia Generosa, C/San Jurjo, Avenida de la famous monastery around) where we meet as Colegiata, C/del Castillo, C/Landelino street names oiconyms and choronyms from Tardajos33 C/Pescadeiros, Paseo de la Puerta the space (euskerra), co- del Monte (the promenade area along what’s official in Navarra (fig. 3) left of the walls once surrounding the city and - odonymical extravagances do not find which took the name from the access gate of the city, still functional). their place in that space. We can bring to The elements forming the collective comparison the street names of a new district memory exceed here also (as in Atapuerca) (urbanización) from Zaragoza, the capital of the proper street naming considering a statue Aragon, a city situated outside the route of of the pilgrim accompanied by the text: pilgrims.

HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography, (2010) 4.1, 17-31 29 ION NICOLAE

Figure 3. Urbanizacion Iratxe/Irache. (apud Google maps)

NOTES situacion de privilegio con relacion a los 1 For instance the hydronym /Ebru has its campesinos…” (J.L. Martin et al, 1998, 179) origin in the Celtic term iber (“running water”). 10 Named in popular language charco (pool)! The name passed to the NE region of today Spain 11 See the regionims California, Nevada, Colorado afterwards to the entire peninsula beyond then the oiconyms Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Pyrenees. Jose to name the most important. 2 In Navarra, euskerra is the official language, fact 12 “En todos estos lugares (n.i. more important obvious among other in street marking. localities on camino) se establecio una problacion 3 In Etimologiae, Isidor de Sevilla (560-636) shows relativamente importante de francos (s.n.i.) que that the origin of the word is Carthaginian, Ispani trabajan como campesinos en alguncasos y en otros appointing the town of Sevilla of these days which como artesanos y mercaderes que gozan de una the Romans have named Hispalis. Then, in situacion de privilegio con relacion a los Historia regibus Gothorum, vandalorum et campesinos…” (J.L. Martin et al, 1998, 179) suevorum, he extends the name Hispania to Iberian 13 Motto: Durante los siglos centrales de la Edad geographical space. Medieval, El Camino Santiago habia cumplido el 4 Expression on which relies the chronim papel de verdadero cordon umbilical entre Europa y Andalucia/Andaluzia, appointing the autonomous una Espana progresivamente emancipada de la community from the south of the country. influencia islamica haciendola gravitar 5 In Alcantara, it was incorporated in 1156 a well- decididamente hacia Occidente. (J. I. Ruiz de la known religious military order, active participant Pena, Universidad de Oviedo) to Reconquista. 14 It is about the 5th part of the paper Codex 6 The Arabian term is al ma’din (Celdrán, 2002, 53). Calixtinus drawn up by the French monk Aymeric 7 The only part of Iberian peninsula which was not Picaud after the second pilgrimage to Santiago de effectively dominated by Moslems. Compostela (1140). 8 Most of the streets with this name are in 15 “Europe was born on the pilgrim road to Andalucia (66), Catalunya (63) and Aragon (54). Santiago” (cf. Frey, N. L. 1993) 9 “En todos estos lugares (n.i. more important 16 Etymologic explanations were taken over from localities on camino) se establecio una poblacion J.M. Albaigès (1998) and P. Celdrán (2002) relativamente importante de francos (s.n.i.) que 17 Detailed analysis of oiconyms along the camino trabajan como campesinos en alguncasos y en otros shall form the object of another study, in course of como artesanos y mercaderes que gozan de una preparation.

30 HUMAN GEOGRAPHIES – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography, (2010) 4.1, 17-31 CAMINO DE SANTIAGO – PLACE NAMES AND STREET NAMES

18 We have examples as well from Romanian 33 Name given in the honor of an emigrant Bucharest space, of the avenue which connects the inhabitant in Mexico who donated an amount of University and Mihail Kogalniceanu Square which money to the community (information received the older person still call 6 Martie , denomination from don Luis Tardajos, nephew of the one who previous to the year 1965. After 1965, it was named named the street). Gh. Gheorghiu-Dej (until 1989) and after 1990 34 The inhabitants are reminded that their current returned to the old name Regina Elisabeta life is very much related to the vivacity of the (traditional name, previous to communist regime). pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, after in the 19 Issues induced by the spirit of French revolution 14th-16th century Castrojeriz was a powerful rival of and importer subsequently in the entire Europe in Burgos, with intense commercial connections with the XIX century, the century of formation of Bruges (Flandre) where the local gentry held national states. sumptuous residences. 20 As technical detail, it is reminded the fact that 34This aspect and others will be developed in the plates were placed on the first and respectively another material in work in this moment. the last building from the left side of the street. 21 The name is longer “Ley por la que se reconocen y amplian derechos y se etablecen medidasa favor de quienes padecieron peersecucion o violencia durante Bibliography la Guerra Civil y la dictadura” being however known and debated widely under this short Albajès, J M 1998, Enciclopedia de los topónimos denomination. In Navarra, to this modification has españoles, Planeta, Barcelona. also contributed the so-called Ley Foral de Badariotti, D 2002, Les noms de rues en Simbolos of 2002 with competence area only in this geographies. Pledoyer pour une recherche sur les community (Navarra / official Reino de Navarra). odonymes. Annales de Géographie,625, 286-291. 22 In art. 15, it is stipulated that “la ley establece que Celdrán, P 2002, Diccionario de topónimos los escudos, insignias, placas y otros objectos o españoles y sus gentilios, Espasa Calpe. menciones conmemoratives de exaltacion personal Drimba, O 2007, Geniul Spaniei, Saeculum Vizual, o colectivo del levantamiento military, de la Guerra Bucureşti. Civil y de la repression de la dictadura deberaan ser Fanjul, S 2005, Al-Andalus contra España, la forja retiradas de los edificios y espacios publicos”. de un mito, Siglo XXI de España Editores S.A. 23 Near it, in Sierra de Atapuerca, there have been Frey, N L 1993, On and off the road to Santiago, discovered in 1994 the fossils of the oldest hominid University of California Press. from Europe, Homo antecessor (over 1,2 mil. years). Isidor de Sevilla, Historia Regibus Gothorum, 24 Another example in this respect is the main Vandalorum et Suevorum, The Latin Library on square from Estella, locality in Navarra where was internet. founded (XII-XIII century) a royal residence, Light, D, Nicolae, I, Suditu, B 2003, Toponymy and transformed these days in art museum. the Communist City: Street names in Bucharest, 25 It is emphasized Navarette (La Rioja) whose GeoJournal, 56, 135-144. Plaza Mayor is situated in V localities. Macho, J de la Cruz, 2009, Poniendo nombre a las 26 Among these, Calle de Estafeta. calles, Diario Palentino_digital, 30.12 27 The decision of Municipal Council of Pamplona Martin J L, Martinez, C, Tusell, J 1998, Historia de of 24.06.1954 stipulated that it is assigned to the España, vol.I, Taurus minor. streets from the new quarter Chantrea “los Nicolae, I, Suditu, B 2008, Toponimie românească nombres de los primeros muertos en la Cruzada şi internaţională, Meronia, Buc. (n.i. against the Communism), naturales y vecinos Pombo, A 2006, Guía del Camino de Santiago, de Pamplona (cf. Diario de Noticias, Pamplona, Grupo Anaya S.A., Madrid. 24.02.2008). Diario de Noticias, Navarra 24.II.2008, 26.VII. 28 Cf. Diario de Noticias, Navarra, 26.07.2009 2009. 29 cendea – Basque/euskerra word for „municipality”. 30 The registration was performed on August 3rd 2008 and August 6th 2009 31 Comer – “to eat” (in Spanish). 32 Information collected on August 4th 2008 and August 8th 2009.

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