Pilgrimage: Sacred Journeys from Canterbury to Santiago (Online Course)

Pilgrimage has been one of the most important cultural and religious practices in human history. From journeys to Canterbury Cathedral to the long road to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, millions of people have travelled in search of meaning, healing, and transformation. This course explores the history of pilgrimage in the medieval world and its continuing relevance today.

On this course, led by Dr Sarah James and Dr Michael Paraskos, we will explore the history and meaning of pilgrimage, examining the journeys, shrines, and works of art created for travellers. Focusing initially on the medieval pilgrimage, we will bring our investigation into pilgrimage into modern times, ending with modern pilgrimage routes and sites.

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 society in the past and helped spread artistic ideas across continents.

Pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place, undertaken for spiritual, cultural, or personal reasons. In the Middle Ages, pilgrims travelled across Europe to sites such as Canterbury, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela. Today, routes like the Camino de Santiago continue to attract travellers from around the world.

No previous knowledge of history is needed and all are welcome.

This course is taught online.

Term dates

•  Autumn/Michaelmas Term: Wednesday 14 October 2026 until 16 December 2026 (no session on 18 November)

Any questions?

For content enquiries: Contact the tutor, Dr Sarah James, at sarah.james1@imperial.ac.uk

For enrolment and booking enquiries: Contact Christian Jacobi at 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).