Why is Compostela a pilgrimage site?

The city of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain is a major pilgrimage site because it is believed to be the burial place of the apostle Saint James the Great. According to tradition, Saint James was martyred in Jerusalem in 44 AD and his body was transported by his disciples to a site in northwestern Spain, where it was interred at what is now Santiago de Compostela. In the 9th century, the tomb of Saint James was rediscovered and the cult of Santiago began to grow, attracting pilgrims from all over Europe. By the 11th century, Santiago de Compostela had become one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christendom, along with Rome and Jerusalem. Pilgrims travel to Santiago de Compostela along various routes, known as Caminos de Santiago, to pay homage to Saint James and seek spiritual fulfillment. Today, Santiago de Compostela continues to be a popular pilgrimage destination, with millions of pilgrims visiting the city each year.