Sacred Journeys: Pilgrims and Shrines of the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages thousands of people set out on long and often dangerous journeys across Europe and the Middle East in search of miracles, healing, forgiveness and adventure. This course, led by Dr Sarah James and Dr Michael Paraskos, explores the history of medieval pilgrimage, examining the journeys, shrines, and works of art created for medieval travellers.

On this course we will follow the routes taken by medieval pilgrims to great destinations such as the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral, the shrine of James the Great at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the early Christian pilgrimage centre of Abu Mena, and the sacred city of Jerusalem. We will explore famous pilgrimage routes including the Camino de Santiago, the road to Canterbury Cathedral, and land and sea routes to Jerusalem.

Along the way we will encounter the art and objects created for pilgrims: reliquaries glittering with precious stones, small pilgrim badges worn as souvenirs, and tiny flasks used to carry holy oil or water home from sacred shrines. We will also discover the lively travellers described by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales.

Through the art, architecture, and objects connected with pilgrimage, the course explores how these journeys shaped medieval society and helped spread artistic ideas across continents.

Today pilgrimage has experienced a remarkable revival, with thousands of people walking historic routes such as the Camino de Santiago, making the history of pilgrimage newly relevant to modern travellers and walkers. The course offers an accessible introduction to the history of pilgrimage, from Canterbury and the Camino de Santiago to journeys to Jerusalem, ending with a look at modern manifestations of pilgrimage, from the Christian Hajjis of the nineteenth century, to modern pilgrims visiting sites today.

No previous knowledge is required and all are welcome.

This course is taught online.

Term dates

•  Autumn Term: 12 October 2026 until 14 December 2025. No session on 16 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

This course has no exams or assessments, so you can focus on enjoying your learning. Regular attendance may also lead to the award of an Imperial attendance certificate. (T&Cs apply).