Christian pilgrimage was first made to sites connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Surviving descriptions of Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land date from the 4th century, when pilgrimage was encouraged by church fathers like Saint Jerome. Pilgrimages also began to be made to Rome and other sites associated with the Apostles, Saints and Christian martyrs, as well as to places where there have been apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

 

Well known Christian pilgrimage sites:

• Santiago de Compostela on the St James Way

• Rome on roads such as the via Francigena. Site of the deaths of St Peter, St Paul and other early martyrs. Location of relics of various saints, relics of the Passion, important churches and headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.

• Istanbul, Turkey. Former capital of the Byzantine Empire and the see of one of the five ancient Patriachates and first among equals among the Patriachs of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Hagia Sophia, former cathedral and burial place of many Ecumenical Patriarchs.

• Lourdes, France. Apparition of the Virgin Mary. The second most visited Christian pilgrimage site after Rome.

• Fàtima in Portugal. Our Lady of Fatima is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She appeared to three shepherd children at Fátima on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917.