Via Lusitana is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, enhance and preserve the Camino de Santiago in Portugal. It is formed by pilgrims and volunteers who work to support those heading to Santiago de Compostela and to safeguard both the tangible and intangible heritage associated with the Jacobean tradition.

It maintains cooperation agreements with national entities linked to the Camino de Santiago and is officially recognized by the Secretaría Xeral de Cultura of the Xunta de Galicia as a Promotion Entity of the Camino de Santiago. It represents Portuguese pilgrim associations on the Advisory Council of the Camino Certification Commission (DL 51/2019), is part of the Board of the International Federation of Associations of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago and is an Honorary Member of the Archicofradía Universal del Apóstol Santiago.

Together with the Associação Espaço Jacobeus, it promoted the inclusion of the “Portuguese Pilgrimage Routes to Santiago de Compostela” on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, recognized in 2016. It is also the only Portuguese entity authorized by the Cathedral of Santiago to issue its own Pilgrim Credential and manages, in Lisboa, the ‘Informação ao Peregrino’ (Pilgrim’s Information) Office, located in the Church of Conceição Velha, in partnership with the Centro Nacional de Cultura (National Centre of Culture).

Its work is based on the values of hospitality, sharing and respect for heritage, preserving one of Europe’s oldest spiritual and cultural traditions.

The Centro Nacional de Cultura (CNC – National Center of Culture) is a public-interest cultural association founded on May 13, 1945, and based in the Chiado district of Lisboa. Since its creation, it has been dedicated to promoting culture, heritage and citizenship, establishing itself as a space for reflection, creativity and civic engagement.

With the goal of bringing people closer to history and territory, the CNC develops a wide range of activities — cultural trips, courses, publications, training programs and heritage education projects — that promote knowledge and appreciation of Portuguese and European heritage.

The Centro Nacional de Cultura represents Europa Nostra in Portugal, the leading European federation for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage. Its mission is based on an integrated vision of territory, culture and community, working in networks and upholding a tradition of public service, participation and cultural commitment.

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Within the context of the Caminos de Santiago, the CNC collaborates with Via Lusitana in managing the ‘Informação ao Peregrino’ (Pilgrim’s Information) Office in Lisboa, as well as in outreach and cultural mediation initiatives.

This partnership strengthens the coherence between both entities: they share a common vision of culture as a space for meeting and exchange, and recognize in the Camino de Santiago a key path to connecting heritage, identity and active citizenship.