Europe's Forgotten Pilgrim Routes

In the Middle Ages, the horrifying murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket of Canterbury led thousands of pilgrims to the south of England. Centuries later, the long-forgotten Pilgrims' Way is now enjoying a revival. The Pilgrim´s Way leads east to west cross-country from Winchester to Canterbury through the counties of Hampshire, Surrey and Kent. Along the way, modern pilgrims discover traces of the past and the pristine beauty of the land. They meet people who want to preserve England's rich natural treasures and traditions for the future.

In honour of the Archangel Michael, thousands of medieval Christians set off on pilgrimages to the famous mountain monastery of the Mont-Saint-Michel in the Atlantic Ocean. Today it continues to enchant millions of visitors each year. But the pilgrimage route from Rouen to the mountain abbey seems to have been forgotten: it leads through the depths of Normandy into rural France. Modern pilgrims can expect a fascinating voyage of discovery along historic paths that will allow them to discover not only the original character of the country and its inhabitants, but also themselves.

For centuries, pilgrims have set off on the Via Francigena in the hopes of reaching the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul in Rome. The ancient pilgrimage route leads through the imposing Alps to the Great St Bernard Pass and from there cross-country through Italy: along the Aosta Valley and the endless rice fields of the Po Valley, over the mountains of the Apennines, and the rolling hills of Tuscany to Lazio – en route, modern pilgrims discover Italy's majestic and diverse landscapes, as well as traces of bygone eras. Along the way, they meet people who share with them their enthusiasm for the country and the tradition of pilgrimage.