Christian Pilgrimage Sites
WHS that include sites of pilgrimage for Christians.
Connected Sites
| Site | Rationale | Link |
| Aachen Cathedral | The Aachen Cathedral has traditionally attracted many pilgrims, partly because of the relics transferred to the cathedral. Since 1349, a pilgrimage (Aachenerfahrt) has been held every seven years, during which the relics stored in the Marian shrine are shown to the faithful. | |
| Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch | In medieval times Lorsch was a major Catholic pilgrimage site thanks to its relic of St. Lazarus | |
| Abu Mena | By 600 the oasis had become a pilgrimage city, centred on the great basilica complex | |
| Amiens Cathedral | As part of the Route of Santiago de Compostela, but also because of the head of John the Baptist that became one of the most important relics in the North of France in the Middle Ages. (wiki fr) | |
| Ancient villages of Northern Syria | great sanctuary dedicated to Saint Simeon the Stylite and his cult | |
| Archaeological site of Philippi | Centre of Christian pilgrimage deriving from the visit and mission of the Apostle Paul in 49/50 CE. (AB ev) | |
| Arles | As part of Route of Santiago de Compostela | |
| Armenian Monastic Ensembles | ||
| Assisi | St. Francis of Assisi and St Clare, relics | |
| Avila | St Theresa of Avila, relics | |
| Bethlehem | ||
| Bom Jesus do Monte | ||
| Bourges Cathedral | As part of Route of Santiago de Compostela | |
| Burgos Cathedral | As part of Route of Santiago de Compostela | |
| Camino Real | Cuencamé is renowned for the miraculous image of the Cristo y Senor de Mapimi and the annual pilgrimage, processions and dances associated with it. (AB ev) | |
| Canterbury | Cathedral associated with Saint Thomas Becket. | |
| Central Highlands | Adam's Peak | |
| Champagne | Hautvillers Abbey: "In 841 a priest from Reims stole the relic of the body of Saint Helena from Rome and the reliquary was transferred to the abbey. The relics attracted pilgrims and the revenues allowed the abbey to purchase lands and vineyards in the vicinity (40 hectares)." | |
| Chartres Cathedral | ||
| Churches and Convents of Goa | St. Francis Xavier | |
| City of Luxembourg | The Octave is the largest religious festival in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is accompanied by pilgrimages from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Belgian Luxembourg, North Lorraine and the Eifel to Luxembourg Cathedral. It is a Marian feast, which ends with a Catholic procession attended by the Grand Ducal family and authorities of Luxembourg. | |
| Cologne Cathedral | Relics of the Three Magi | |
| Corvey | Was an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages due to hosting the relics of St. Vitus | |
| Echmiatsin and Zvartnots | Echmiatsin | |
| Ferapontov Monastery | "Securing the relics of Martinian and his subsequent canonization made it a place of pilgrimage and attracted many gifts and endowments." (AB Ev) | |
| Flemish Béguinages | In the 17th century, the Small Béguinage of Ghent developed into a place of pilgrimage for Saint Godelieve, for which the Saint Godelieve Chapel was built in 1638. (Wikipedia) | |
| Florence | "The story of Saint Minas and spiritual bonding of the hill to the river Arno has made San Miniato a place of pilgrimage during the Renaissance period." (AB Ev 174ter) | |
| Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town | ||
| Island of Patmos | Exceptional example of a traditional Greek Orthodox pilgrimage centre (AB ev) | |
| Kalwaria Zebrzydowska | ||
| Lalibela | ||
| Longobards in Italy | Monte Sant'Angelo: is a Lombard national sanctuary and the origin of a pilgrimage dedicated to Saint Michael (AB ev) | |
| Mont-Saint-Michel | As part of Route of Santiago de Compostela | |
| Mount Athos | Daily visitors to Mount Athos are restricted to 100 lay Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox male pilgrims, and all are required to obtain a special entrance permit from the Mount Athos Pilgrims' Bureau called the diamonitirion (wiki) | |
| Old City of Jerusalem | ||
| Padua’s fourteenth-century fresco cycles | "The Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua (...) is visited as a place of pilgrimage by people from all over the world". | |
| Paphos | Agia Solomoni, with sacred tree | |
| Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk | The Church of St. John of Nepomuk, a pilgrimage site at Zelená Hora (OUV) – "The church was intended from the start as a place of pilgrimage." (Ab Ev) | |
| Pyrénées - Mont Perdu | As part of Route of Santiago de Compostela | |
| Rome | "The Eternal City was for centuries, and remains today, a symbol and one of the most venerable goals of pilgrimages, thanks to the Tombs of Apostles, the Saints and Martyrs, and to the presence of the Pope." (OUV) | |
| Route of Santiago de Compostela | Several sites on the route to Santiago in France were pilgrimage sites in their own right, often linked to a saint's relics, e.g. Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy, the church of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, the abbey of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Saint-Gilles du Gard, Notre-Dame de l'Épine, the Basilica of Saint-Étienne in Neuvy-Saint-Sépulchre, Le Puy Cathedral, Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port, Basilica of Saint Severinus in Bordeaux, Tour Saint-Jacques in Paris. (Nomination file) | |
| Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France | ||
| Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy | ||
| Saint Catherine Area | ||
| Salvador de Bahia | Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim: "In the 19th century, the Bonfim Brotherhood built houses in the square in front of the church to house the pilgrims (romeiros) that come to Salvador every year to honour Our Lord of Bonfim." | |
| San Miguel de Allende | Sanctuary of Jes?s de Nazareno de Atotonilco | |
| Santa Maria de Guadalupe | ||
| Santiago de Compostela | As part of Route of Santiago de Compostela | |
| Sceilg Mhichíl | The island was a regular destination for pilgrims by the early 16th century. (wiki) | |
| Tipasa | Basilica of Saint Salsa | |
| Valletta | Saint Paul's Shipwreck Church | |
| Vatican City | "Site of the tomb of Saint Peter and pilgrimage centre, the Vatican is directly and materially linked with the history of Christianity" (OUV) | |
| Vézelay | As part of Route of Santiago de Compostela |
Suggestions?
Do you know of another WHS we could connect to Christian Pilgrimage Sites?
A connection should:
- Not be "self evident"
- Link at least 3 different sites
- Not duplicate or merely subdivide the "Category" assignment already identified on this site.
- Add some knowledge or insight (whether significant or trivial!) about WHS for the users of this site
- Be explained, with reference to a source