The place where pilgrims visit is known as a holy site. Christians regard the land of Israel, where Jesus lived, as the Holy Land. There are many holy sites in Israel, but the most important ones are in Jerusalem where Jesus died and came back to life. Christians can go on a pilgrimage at any time of year, but to many the most important pilgrimage is to Jerusalem at Easter, to remember Jesus’ death, but more importantly his resurrection.

Apart from the Holy Land the most popular places of pilgrimage were the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul in Rome, and St. James at Compostela in Spain. In England during the Middle Ages, the most popular pilgrimage was along the Pilgrims’ Way from Winchester to Canterbury, to the shrine of England’s most famous saint and martyr, St. Thomas Becket.

There are many places of pilgrimages in Wales, but the most popular is the shrine of David, Patron Saint of Wales.

BACK