When most people hear the word “pilgrimage,” they think of medieval monks trudging across Europe or devout Catholics seeking relics of saints. Yet in modern Germany, pilgrimages are alive and well – though often in surprising ways. What once was an act of deep religious devotion has become, for many, a cultural, spiritual, or even wellness journey. And no path captures this transformation better than the Jakobsweg, the network of routes leading to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
So why do Germans, in an age of secularism, continue to lace up their boots and walk these ancient routes? To answer, we must look at the history of pilgrimages in Germany, their decline, and their powerful revival in recent decades.
Pilgrimages in the Medieval World
In the Middle Ages, Germany was crisscrossed with pilgrimage routes. Pilgrims traveled to holy sites like Aachen, Cologne, or Trier, where relics of saints were believed to perform miracles. These journeys were demanding – often weeks or months on foot – but they offered spiritual merit, penance, or healing.
The Jakobsweg (Way of St. James) became especially popular. From across Europe, routes led westward to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where the remains of the apostle James were said to rest. German pilgrims played a major role, with countless waystations, churches, and shrines built to support them.
Pilgrimages were not only acts of faith. They were also cultural exchanges, bringing together people of different regions and fostering the spread of ideas, art, and commerce.
The Decline of Pilgrimages
By the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation brought pilgrimages under scrutiny. Martin Luther criticized them as superstition, and in Protestant regions of Germany they nearly disappeared. Catholic areas, particularly in Bavaria and the Rhineland, maintained traditions, but on a reduced scale.
Over time, with modernization and secularization, pilgrimage culture waned. By the 19th and early 20th centuries, most Germans associated pilgrimages with rural Catholic piety rather than mainstream life.
The Modern Revival
Surprisingly, the late 20th century witnessed a pilgrimage revival. One of the major catalysts was the popularity of the Jakobsweg. In 1987, the Council of Europe declared the Camino de Santiago a European Cultural Route, sparking renewed interest. Later, books like Hape Kerkeling’s best-selling memoir Ich bin dann mal weg (“I’m Off Then”) turned the Camino into a cultural phenomenon in Germany.
Suddenly, pilgrimages were not just for the devout. They appealed to seekers of all kinds – spiritual wanderers, burned-out professionals, retirees, and even students on a gap year. For many, the act of walking for days or weeks through scenic landscapes, detached from technology, became a form of therapy.
German Pilgrimage Routes Today
While the Camino in Spain remains the most famous, Germany itself is home to hundreds of kilometers of pilgrimage paths. Many are marked with the iconic scallop shell of St. James. Some of the most significant include:
The Cologne Way (Kölner Jakobsweg): Starting from the cathedral city and connecting with routes through France.
The Upper Swabian Way (Oberschwäbischer Jakobsweg): Passing monasteries and baroque churches in Baden-Württemberg.
The Saxon Way of St. James: A growing route in eastern Germany, reconnecting a region once cut off during the GDR years.
Local Marian Pilgrimage Sites: Especially in Bavaria, where towns like Altötting remain important Catholic pilgrimage centers.
These routes combine religious heritage with cultural tourism. Pilgrims may carry credencials (pilgrim passports) to collect stamps at each stop, echoing medieval traditions while creating a tangible sense of accomplishment.
Why Germans Walk Today
For modern Germans, pilgrimages often serve very different purposes than in the Middle Ages. Common motivations include:
Spiritual searching: Even without organized religion, many seek connection, reflection, or transcendence.
Physical challenge: Walking long distances offers both fitness and endurance tests.
Detox from modern life: Pilgrimages provide a break from fast-paced digital society.
Cultural connection: Pilgrims encounter historical towns, monasteries, and landscapes rich with tradition.
Community: Despite being solitary journeys, pilgrimages often forge bonds among walkers from around the world.
As one modern German pilgrim put it: “I may not believe in saints, but I believe in the road.”
Pilgrimages and Identity
Pilgrimages reveal something larger about belief in modern Germany. Even as church attendance declines, the need for meaning, ritual, and community persists. Walking the Jakobsweg or a Marian route allows Germans to reconnect with heritage without rigid dogma.
They also highlight how German culture blends tradition and modernity. Ancient routes are preserved not only for religious reasons but also as part of Europe’s shared history. Secular Germans embrace pilgrimages as cultural tourism – yet many still describe transformative, even mystical, experiences along the way.
The Future of Pilgrimage in Germany
With rising interest in slow travel and wellness, pilgrimages are likely to keep growing. New initiatives promote regional Jakobswege, while local churches and municipalities invest in waymarking, shelters, and pilgrim services. At the same time, pilgrimage culture is adapting – with guided tours, eco-pilgrimages, and even digital apps to track routes.
Whether religious or secular, Germans today walk not only toward Santiago or Altötting, but also toward self-discovery. Pilgrimage has shifted from penance for sin to therapy for the soul – but its cultural resonance remains powerful.
