Medieval Art, Architecture, and Tales of Pilgrims and Crusaders

Course overview

Join us on a journey into the art, architecture, and stories of medieval pilgrimage. Looking across Europe and the Middle East, we will explore the motivations of medieval pilgrims—ranging from spiritual devotion to healing and for many the desire for adventure—and discover iconic pilgrimage routes such as the Camino de Santiago and the Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury.

Along the way, we’ll explore how relics and miracle stories attracted pilgrims, how literature such as Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales reflected the experience of travel and devotion, and how pilgrimage contributed to the growth of towns, trade, and artistic exchange.

We will look at sites like medieval Jerusalem, Abu Mena and Santiago de Compostela in depth, but as not all pilgrims were motivated by religion, we shall also look at the secular and commercial offshoots of the pilgrimage tradition.

The course offers an unusual view on medieval art, architecture, literature and society, as well as the myriad of motivations that led to people taking pilgrimage journeys, which continues to resonate in modern culture—through revived walking routes, popular media, and contemporary spiritual and wellbeing practices.

No previous knowledge or experience is needed and the course is open to everyone. All welcome!

This course is taught online.

Reading material and special equipment needed (if any)

You will need a device with internet access, to view and take part in the Zoom classes online.

Term dates

•  Autumn Term: 13 October 2025 until 15 December 2025. No session on 17 November.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the content of this course please contact the tutor, Dr Sarah James: sarah.james1@imperial.ac.uk

If you have any questions about enrolment please contact the Imperial after:hours Administrator, Christian Jacobi: c.jacobi@imperial.ac.uk

Class recordings

Recordings of these classes will be available (T&Cs apply).

Imperial certificates

There are no examinations or assessments for this course. However, attendance can lead to the award of an Imperial attendance certificate (T&Cs apply).