Pan-European Religious Heritage Routes

Pan-European Religious Heritage Routes

Europe offers a wide variety of cultural tourism itineraries that, crossing several regions or countries, provide a living example of the rich and impressive European common heritage. With the promotion of cultural itineraries, the European Commission aims to raise awareness on the need for a new kind of tourism, which is respectful of the environment, of the natural and cultural heritage and of the local traditions.

  • The Via Francigena: The “Via Francigena” is an historical pilgrimage route, from Canterbury to Rome, taken by thousands of pilgrims during past centuries. The route follows the path that Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, took to get to Rome in order to meet Pope John XV and receive the investiture pallium. For more information: www.associazioneviafrancigena.com

  • Saint Martin of Tours: St. Martin of Tours is known worldwide for having shared his cloak with a beggar. His gesture is the universal symbol of sharing. The cultural itinerary dedicated to St. Martin of Tours (more than 450 km of paths including Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland and Luxembourg) links up the European towns and cities which shared in Saint’s life. For more information: www.saintmartindetours.eu

  • The Al-Andalus Route: “Al-Andalus” is the name to the territory occupied by the Muslim empire in Southern Spain from the early 8th to the late 15th century. These routes, which include the cities of Almeria, Malaga, Cadiz, Seville, Cordoba, Jaen and Granada, aim at contributing to the debate on the historical importance of interreligious dialogue in forging European civilisation. For more information: www.legadoandalusi.es

  • The Saint James’ Ways: The Way of St James, the pilgrimage to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (in north-western of Spain) where the apostle Saint James the Great is said to be laid to rest, is a collection of more than 100 medieval pilgrimage routes which cover all Europe. The Santiago routes are a symbol of the cultural cooperation in Europe. For more information: www.chemin-compostelle.com

  • Transromanica – The Romanesque Routes of European Heritage:  A journey along the Romanesque Routes of European Heritage means travelling back into medieval times. Transromanica guides you to castles, cathedrals and monasteries built between the 10th and 12th century. For more information: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/culture/routes/transromanica_en.asp

  • St. Olav Ways: The St. Olav Ways consists of a network of more than 5000 km in Scandinavia that interconnects many places related to St. Olav. Churches, monasteries and chapels are a part of the St. Olav Roads. For more information: http://www.culture-routes.ro/en/itineraries/the-route-of-saint-olav-ways.html

EUROPA – Press Releases – Pan-European Cultural Routes: A journey through Europe’s shared cultural heritage.

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