Discussion Topic: Pilgrimages Then and Now

The Pilgrimage Route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain was important to the religious, economic, and cultural development of the later Middle Ages. According to the 12th-century Pilgrim’s Guide, people traditionally followed one of four routes through France to visit the shrine of St. James in western Spain. On the French routes, pilgrims visited Romanesque churches to venerate important reliquaries. Services, such as hostels and taverns, sprung up along the routes to accommodate the increasing numbers of pilgrims. The French pilgrimage routes converged in Spain at Puente la Reina, from which it was another 500 miles to Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims walked many months to complete the journey. Explore the map of pilgrimage routes on a website about medieval pilgrimages, read an excerpt of the 12th-century tourist guide for pilgrims (chapter VII only!), and watch a short video of a modern-day pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. What do you think of the difficulties encountered by medieval and modern pilgrims? Would you ever consider making such a trek?

Look at the map of medieval pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela

Read Chapter VII of the Pilgrim’s Guide to Santiago de Compostela

Watch a video about modern-day pilgrimage to Santiago

FYI, the following link is not necessary for the discussion, but if you’re interested there is a new FICTIONAL movie on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Emilio Estevez’s The Way starring Martin Sheen

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