The Art of Pilgrimage: ARH310/PHI390/REL310

Description

This course is intended to immerse you in the tradition, theology, culture, and environment of pilgrimage.  The course will allow you to explore the significance of pilgrimage by performing the actions of a pilgrim to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

 

For over 1000 years, people of faith have traveled to the burial site of St. James in Santiago.  The routes to reach Santiago flourished in the medieval era, paths that were walked by princes, kings, and ordinary peasants.  As a result, each town along the way to Santiago bears vivid material evidence, for instance, in the ecclesial art and architecture, of the popularity of this practice. Additionally, the influence of Islam and Judaism, along with the Christian pilgrimage, made Spain a cultural and philosophical crossroads that brought important ideas into the rest of Europe.

 

As a student enrolled in this course, you will walk in the footsteps previous pilgrims upon the well-trod Via Frances in northern Spain.  By delving into this practice, students are expected to gain a deeper knowledge of the role of ritual practice in religion as well as an understanding of the continued significance of physical ritual in the contemporary world.

 

Expectations

The nature of pilgrimage requires that students be in good health, and that they limit the personal items they bring on the trip (these details will be outlined by the instructors in the informational sessions). Moreover, students will not be allowed to use cell phones or any other electronic devices while walking on the pilgrimage routes.  Students will be informed of all the necessary equipment they will need as well as all the equipment they should leave behind.  The weather in Spain in January is slightly unpredictable.  Temperatures will be winter-like, although not as harsh as any Kentucky weather in January.  However, this should not dissuade any student interest.  Moreover, the pilgrimage routes are still traveled during this time of year.  Students will not feel isolated from fellow pilgrims.  Several Centre alumni have walked the road to Santiago at this same time of the year, and have reflected upon what a positive and indelible experience it was.

There will be a fair amount of walking as we travel towards Santiago, and students will stay in accommodations along the way that reflect the spartan and meditative task of pilgrimage.  There will be a passenger van available for use by the group for any health emergencies and to ferry any delicate or heavy personal items.

You can find the application for this course here.

 

Itinerary

This trip will last approximately 17 days (16 nights) beginning in the city of Madrid.  The proposed itinerary follows:

Day 1: Fly into Madrid – coach to Zaragoza

Day 2: Zaragoza: Basilica del Pilar; Aljafaria Palace

Day 3: Zaragoza-Burgos: Burgos Cathedral

Day 4: Burgos-Leon: Leon Cathedral

Day 5: Leon-Ponferrada-O Cebreido: Templar castle in Ponferrada, walk starts day 6

Day 6: O Cebreiro-Triacastela

Day 7: Triacastela-Sarria

Day 8: Sarria-Portomarin

Day 9: Rest day: Exam

Day 10: Portomarin-Palas de Rei

Day 11: Palas de Rei-Arzua

Day 12: Arzua-O Pino

Day 13: O Pino-Santiago

Day 14: Santiago: Cathedral and city tour; plus tour of Fisterre

 

Day 15: Santiago-Madrid

Day 16: Madrid: Prado, Reina Sophia

Day 17: Return

 

Cost

$4,500

Includes airfare and in-country travel, accommodations, and most meals.