Jerusalem Way (Jerusalemweg)

At the shrine of St James in Finisterre, where medieval pilgrims believed the world ended at the Atlantic shore, begins the longest pilgrimage route on earth. The Jerusalem Way spans three continents, 7,500 kilometers, and countless cultures on its epic journey to the Holy City - reversing the path of the Magi who once traveled from East to West.

📜 History & Significance

Jerusalem has drawn pilgrims since the earliest days of Christianity. The Jerusalem Way represents a modern revival and connection of ancient pilgrimage paths - from the Camino de Santiago through Europe, across Turkey following routes used since antiquity, to the Holy Land.

The way was established in the 21st century as a route of peace and intercultural dialogue, crossing both Christian and Muslim lands. It offers pilgrims the experience that medieval travelers knew: the gradual transition from one world to another over months of walking.

🥾 Route Overview

The Jerusalem Way stretches approximately 7,500 km from Finisterre in Spain to Jerusalem, requiring roughly 10-12 months to complete on foot. The route passes through Spain, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, and finally the Holy Land.

The Austrian section alone covers 860 km through 35 stages, passing through Salzburg and the Saalachtal region. The route crosses the Balkans, navigates the Bosphorus at Istanbul, and traverses Anatolia before the final approach through Syria or Jordan to Jerusalem.

☩ Key Pilgrimage Sites

The journey connects humanity's most sacred Christian sites - from Santiago de Compostela, through Rome and the great shrines of European Christianity, to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem where Christ was crucified and rose from the dead.

Along the way, pilgrims pass Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia, and Istanbul - each a city of profound religious heritage. The Turkish section follows ancient pilgrimage paths through Anatolia, the land of the early Church and the Seven Churches of Revelation.