Destinations Along the Way 1 San Galgano Italy Medieval abbey ruins open to the sky and Tuscany's authentic "sword in the stone"—where a 12th-century knight thrust his blade into rock as a sign of conversion, inspiring centuries of pilgrimage. 2 Canterbury England (UK) Canterbury is home to St Thomas of Canterbury Church, housing the shrine and relics of St Thomas Becket, making it England's premier Catholic pilgrimage destination. 3 Sant'Ambrogio di Torino Italy Home to the renowned Sacra di San Michele abbey, this medieval pilgrimage site honors Archangel Michael along ancient European routes. 4 Pavia Italy Pavia houses the tomb of St. Augustine of Hippo in San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro, a major pilgrimage destination for devotees of the Doctor of the Church. 5 Rome Italy Rome, the Eternal City, is the heart of Catholicism and seat of the Pope, drawing millions of pilgrims annually to sacred sites. 6 Lucca Italy Medieval Tuscan city on the Via Francigena, home to the Volto Santo—the oldest monumental wooden crucifix in the West—and the incorrupt body of St. Zita. 7 Monte Sant'Angelo Italy Monte Sant'Angelo hosts the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to Archangel Michael, where tradition holds the celestial being consecrated the sanctuary himself. 8 Bolsena Italy Site of the 1263 Eucharistic Miracle that led Pope Urban IV to establish Corpus Christi. The Sacre Pietre remain in Santa Cristina's Basilica. 9 Orvieto Italy Orvieto is famed for the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena, with relics preserved in its magnificent Gothic cathedral, drawing pilgrims worldwide. 10 Saint-Maurice Switzerland Oldest continuously existing Christian monastery in the Western world, founded in 515 to honor the Theban Legion martyrs.
