European pilgrimage routes are still walked by hundreds of thousands annually. Here's the honest sort.
Catholic pilgrimage cities
- Vatican City (Rome): Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums, papal audience (Wednesdays).
- Santiago de Compostela: Camino terminus. The Pilgrim's Mass.
- Lourdes, France: Marian apparition site (1858). 3 million pilgrims/year.
- Fátima, Portugal: Marian apparition site (1917).
- Assisi, Italy: Saint Francis basilica + Saint Clare basilica.
Orthodox pilgrimage cities
- Meteora, Greece: Cliff-top monasteries.
- Mount Athos (men only): Greek monastic peninsula.
- Patmos, Greece: Where John wrote Revelation.
- Sergiev Posad (politics aside): Russian Orthodox heart.
Protestant heritage cities
- Wittenberg, Germany: Luther's 95 Theses church door.
- Geneva (Reformation Wall): Calvin's heritage.
- Eisenach (Wartburg Castle): Where Luther translated the Bible.
Camino de Santiago routes
- French Way (Camino Francés): 800km Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago. The classic.
- Portuguese Way: 240km Porto to Santiago.
- Northern Way: Atlantic-coast 825km.
- Plan 5-6 weeks for full French Way.
Strategy
- Camino: Get pilgrim passport (Credencial). Stamp at each albergue.
- Vatican audiences: Free tickets through US Bishops' Office months ahead.
- Lourdes/Fátima: Mass schedules vary; check before going.
- Holy Week timing: Most pilgrimage cities are crowded but powerful during Easter.