Publications
Pilgrimage as a Regional Socio-Economic Driver: Case Study of Sarria, Km 0 of the Camino de Santiago
Pilgrimage tourism, traditionally undervalued for its socio-economic potential, can serve as a powerful driver for regional development when strategically leveraged. A case study of Sarria, the starting point ('Km 0') of the French Way on the Camino de Santiago, demonstrates this untapped potential. By analyzing qualitative and quantitative data—including surveys, interviews, and mystery shopper audits—Sarria emerges as a model for micro-planning in tourism development. Its strategic location, cultural heritage, and role in issuing Compostela certificates position it to attract diverse tourist groups and extend pilgrim stays, offering practical insights for municipalities seeking to capitalize on pilgrimage routes. A SWOT analysis and proposed municipal actions further highlight the transformative impact of integrating pilgrimage into broader tourism strategies.
The Covered Market of Cadouin, France
Medieval covered markets, often constructed from perishable materials and subject to significant modifications or destruction over time, are rare survivors of their original form. The Halle de Cadouin in France offers a unique example of late-medieval market architecture, providing insights into the role of such structures in medieval trade and commerce. Strategically located along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, the market is associated with the Cistercian abbey of Cadouin, which attracted pilgrims due to its spiritual significance and advanced agricultural practices. The study highlights the Halle de Cadouin's architectural features, including a star-shaped wooden frame anchored with dowels, and its place within the broader context of Aquitaine's covered markets, many of which were established during the Hundred Years' War to stimulate trade and settlement in frontier regions.
Early Studies in Romanesque Architecture and the Discovery of the Pilgrimage Routes to Santiago de Compostela
Early studies on Romanesque architecture revealed the historical significance of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, particularly through the works of Émile Mâle and Arthur Kingsley Porter. A pivotal moment came with the 1878 excavation of the apostle James' mausoleum in Santiago, which revived the dormant pilgrimage tradition. Fidel Fita's 1882 publication of the Codex Calixtinus further cemented this discovery by documenting various routes. Auguste Bouillet's 1893 essay established the first transnational artistic connections between key sites like Sainte-Foy de Conques and Saint-Sernin de Toulouse, marking a turning point in art history. However, subsequent research has challenged the canonization of these routes as described in the Codex Calixtinus.
Pilgrimages and Other Spiritual Journeys
Pilgrimages, whether religious or secular, can evoke profound spiritual experiences akin to awe and transcendence. A study on the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage route from Southern France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, reveals that even non-religious individuals ('nones') engage with such journeys for their spiritual significance. Interviews conducted along the route highlight diverse motivations, ranging from secular to deeply religious, underscoring the multifaceted nature of pilgrimage experiences. The research extends this insight by comparing the Camino de Santiago to other secular pilgrimage sites like Walt Disney World and the Vietnam War Memorial, suggesting that these locations also foster a sense of awe comparable to religious feelings. This dual perspective challenges traditional notions of spirituality, proposing that transcendence is not exclusive to religious contexts but can emerge in various cultural and historical settings.
A Pilgrim's Deliberation
A unique fictionalized account provides insight into the motivations and experiences of Johaneta Aymara, a 15th-century brothel manager from Marseille who embarked on a pilgrimage to Le Puy-en-Velay—a key starting point for one of France's main routes to Santiago de Compostela. Drawing from historical records, including notarial inventories and municipal archives, the narrative reconstructs her journey, offering a glimpse into the lives of sex workers in medieval Europe and their participation in penitent pilgrimages. This approach combines historical documentation with speculative storytelling to explore the social and spiritual dimensions of pilgrimage during this period.
Wine and monasteries: Benedictine monasteries in Europe
Only five out of 68 European Benedictine monasteries still produce wine, with none exhibiting a cohesive regional or national promotional strategy to leverage their potential as key nodes for wine tourism. The study, based on qualitative analysis, reveals that while these monasteries possess their own promotional tools, they lack integration into broader tourism strategies in France, Italy, Germany, and the UK. This finding underscores missed opportunities for developing long-distance wine routes and enhancing cultural heritage tourism along historic pilgrimage paths like those of Santiago de Compostela.
« Plus on y va, plus on a envie d’y aller » Questionner l’envie de revenir sur les Chemins de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle
A significant increase in pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela was observed between 2000 and 2019, with the number of pilgrims rising from 55,000 to 347,000. This trend persists even in France, where pilgrim numbers have grown despite modest overall figures. The study reveals that many pilgrims are repeat visitors, often drawn back by socio-relational motivations rather than solely spiritual or physical ones. Fieldwork conducted in southwest France highlighted the importance of these social and relational factors in sustaining repeated journeys along the Camino de Santiago routes.
Vie Francigene for All?
Over 60 million European citizens and more than 300 million international tourists with specific needs face barriers to accessing cultural heritage sites, including the Via Francigena—a historic pilgrimage route. Despite Italy's advanced legal framework for accessibility (e.g., Plans to Remove Architectural Barriers), persistent gaps remain, particularly in touristic practices. This study highlights how solutions designed for those with disabilities often benefit the broader community, as seen with voice-activated phones or remote controls. By analyzing Italian and European good practices, it argues that inclusive design can transform the Via Francigena into a model for universal tourism, akin to France's Santiago de Compostela route, which attracts 300,000+ pilgrims annually. The research evaluates physical and cultural barriers to propose sustainable, resilient solutions for all.
Relationship between Injury and Spirituality in Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago
Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago who report higher levels of spirituality are less likely to experience injuries and feel less impacted by them, suggesting that spiritual or religious motivations may contribute to better physical resilience. The study analyzed data from 400 participants aged 18–80, collected through surveys assessing demographics, injury experiences, physical well-being, and spirituality using the FACIT-Sp questionnaire. Findings indicate a correlation between higher spirituality scores and reduced injury likelihood and perceived impact, implying potential protective effects of spiritual practices during long-distance pilgrimage journeys.
The elusive goal of sustainable tourism
Recent decades have witnessed a significant resurgence in the popularity of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, particularly along its routes in France. This renewed interest has brought both cultural revitalization and environmental challenges, necessitating a shift towards sustainable tourism management. While Spain has taken a more global approach to leveraging the pilgrimage's economic potential, France has made notable progress in recent years by prioritizing the preservation of this unique heritage through careful management strategies. The study highlights that the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France hold substantial potential to serve as a model for cross-border sustainable tourism, provided that ongoing efforts are sustained and expanded.
Pseudo‐Turpin ChronicleTradition
The Pseudo-Turpin Chronicle, a medieval narrative text, reveals its significant role in promoting the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Composed around 1145, likely in France, it claims to be an eyewitness account of Charlemagne's wars in Spain by Turpin, archbishop of Rheims, contradicting the chanson de geste tradition where Turpin is depicted as dying at Roncevaux. The chronicle links Charlemagne's campaigns to a divine request from St. James and supports the Reconquista, as evidenced by its connections to the Liber Sancti Jacobi in manuscripts like the Codex Calixtinus. Its widespread circulation across multiple languages underscores its cultural and religious influence during the medieval period.
Gender, Nation and Religion in European Pilgrimage
European pilgrimage routes, particularly those leading to Santiago de Compostela, serve as dynamic nodes where gender, national identity, and religious expression intersect. This interdisciplinary study reveals that these ancient paths are not merely relics of the past but active stages for contemporary social and political debates, including gender emancipation, transnational identities, and European unification. The research explores diverse pilgrim experiences—from African migrants renewing family ties at Lourdes to Swedish women navigating midlife transitions—highlighting how pilgrimage reconfigures personal and collective identities. It also examines the revival of sacred spaces, such as the shrine of Our Lady of Santa Cruz, and the reinterpretation of traditional saints like Mary Magdalene within New Age spirituality. Through qualitative analyses, including case studies on Marian anti-abortion movements and interfaith coexistence at pilgrimage centers, the study demonstrates how these routes facilitate complex negotiations between religion, politics, and cultural identity in a secularized Europe.
Pilgrimage Studies in Global Perspective
Pilgrimage, traditionally tied to institutional religion, has diversified significantly, encompassing secular and spiritual dimensions. This study highlights the evolution of pilgrimage from religious sites like Santiago de Compostela to non-religious ones such as battlefields and national suffering sites. It also explores hybrid forms like 'religious tourism' and 'dark tourism,' driven by the expansion of global tourism since World War II. The research examines how these trends reflect a broader shift in beliefs and practices, integrating both religious and non-religious elements. The study employs qualitative analysis to understand the motivations and experiences of pilgrims, providing insights into the complex interplay between tradition, spirituality, and modernity.
Producing the Route of St. James: The Camino de Santiago in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
The Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage route leading to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, experienced significant cultural and political transformation during the 19th and 20th centuries. This study reveals that the modern revival of pilgrimage along this route was not merely a religious phenomenon but also a strategic construction of political ideology, which gained substantial cultural capital over time. The research focuses on the intensive efforts behind the production of the cult of St. James during the medieval period, particularly under the leadership of Diego Gelmírez (1093–1140), who used textual sources like the Codex Calixtinus to document privileges and appeal to donors. These texts, though often seen as outsider accounts, were actually produced in Santiago de Compostela to serve specific audiences, including wealthy patrons and pilgrims. The study employs a combination of historical analysis and documentary evidence to uncover the complexities of this cultural and political landscape.
TRANSHUMANCES, suivi de I ended up being my own trout (jeux de fragments avec Éric Plamondon)
This research-création work explores the intersection of identity, memory, and narrative through the lens of pilgrimage on the via Podiensis, one of the historic routes to Santiago de Compostela. The study demonstrates how the act of walking—whether for solace, remembrance, or self-discovery—can serve as a metaphor for confronting personal and collective pasts. Through the protagonist Alice's journey, the research illustrates the transformative power of movement, encounters, and contemplation in navigating emotional turmoil. Additionally, it examines the narrative technique of fragmentation, highlighting how it challenges readers' perceptions of history and invites them to engage actively with multiple interpretations. The work combines literary analysis with personal reflection, offering a unique approach to understanding identity through the lens of transhumance—a traditional seasonal migration—and modern pilgrimage.
Introduction: Geography and Gendered Rule
The medieval Pyrenean kingdom of Navarre, now part of northeastern Spain, played a pivotal role in European history due to its strategic location on key pilgrimage routes. Positioned at the crossroads of Iberia, France, and the Basque region, Navarre controlled vital Pyrenean passes that facilitated trade and cultural exchange between Continental Europe and the Iberian Peninsula. Its dominance over these routes, particularly those leading to Santiago de Compostela, underscored its significance despite being smaller than neighboring kingdoms like Castile and Aragon.
Cartulaire de lAbbaye de Conques en Rouergue
The rediscovered and edited cartulary of the Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy of Conques, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, offers unprecedented insights into medieval customs, institutions, and property status between the 9th and 12th centuries. This collection of 548 charters, meticulously compiled by French archivist Gustave Desjardins in 1879, provides invaluable historical context for understanding the abbey's role during its golden age as a Romanesque architectural marvel and pilgrimage hub. The cartulary's introduction further enriches its significance, making it an indispensable resource for medieval studies.
Spanish Medieval Art: Recent Studies (review)
A collection of interdisciplinary articles reveals the cultural hybridity and artistic syncretism prevalent in medieval Spain, particularly along the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. The study highlights how Christian art and architecture incorporated Islamic elements under monolithic crusader agendas, such as in the church of San Román in Toledo, where Islamic decorations were neutralized within a unifying Christian program. Additionally, it explores the tendency to conflate Jewish and Islamic attributes in Christian iconography, exemplified by a carved Islamic book-cover flap in the cloister of Santa María la Mayor in Tudela. The research employs detailed analysis of physical components, historical sources, and contemporary methods to examine Romanesque and Gothic art across Catalunya, Toledo, and France, offering new perspectives on medieval artistic production and its cultural context.
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