Medieval European Pilgrimage part 2: cities and sanctuaries
An illustrated exploration of major medieval pilgrimage cities and shrines, examining sacred spaces, saints’ cults and the experiences of pilgrims travelling to some of Europe’s most famous sanctuaries.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Pilgrimage was central to medieval religious life and was undertaken by people from every level of society. This illustrated course explores the development of important European pilgrimage cities and sanctuaries and examines how they functioned as religious, economic and cultural centres.
Each session focuses on a different destination, exploring the saint, shrine, setting and the pilgrim experience.
What will we cover?
The growth of pilgrimage centres in medieval Europe
The role of saints, relics and miracles
The development of shrine churches and sacred spaces
Pilgrimage to Assisi
Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
Pilgrimage to Bury St Edmunds
Pilgrimage to Canterbury
The social and economic impact of pilgrimage cities
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify major European pilgrimage cities and their significance
Explain the importance of saints’ cults and relics
Describe how pilgrimage shaped medieval towns and economies
Discuss the experience of pilgrims visiting shrine cities
Compare different pilgrimage destinations
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course suitable for all with an interest in medieval history. No prior knowledge is required. It may be taken independently or after Part 1.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching will include illustrated lectures, maps, images of churches and shrines, and group discussion. Extracts from contemporary accounts may be shared.
There is no compulsory homework, though optional reading may be recommended.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. Handouts will be provided. Please bring a notebook and pen if you wish to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HEH85The medieval history of Sicily 1 : the Mediterranean Crucible.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/medieval-european-pilgrimage-part-2-cities-and-sanctuaries3062893Medieval European Pilgrimage part 2: cities and sanctuarieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/intro-to-philosophy-1024.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history22851177117811821228511771178<p>An illustrated exploration of major medieval pilgrimage cities and shrines, examining sacred spaces, saints’ cults and the experiences of pilgrims travelling to some of Europe’s most famous sanctuaries.</p>003062848Medieval European Pilgrimage part 2: cities and sanctuaries159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/intro-to-philosophy-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-10-28T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH103159159Medieval European Pilgrimage part 2: cities and sanctuaries127103159Michael Bloomfieldmedieval-european-pilgrimage-part-2-cities-and-sanctuaries/heh103-2627<p>An illustrated exploration of major medieval pilgrimage cities and shrines, examining sacred spaces, saints’ cults and the experiences of pilgrims travelling to some of Europe’s most famous sanctuaries.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-28 00:00:00<p>Pilgrimage was central to medieval religious life and was undertaken by people from every level of society. This illustrated course explores the development of important European pilgrimage cities and sanctuaries and examines how they functioned as religious, economic and cultural centres.</p><p>Each session focuses on a different destination, exploring the saint, shrine, setting and the pilgrim experience.</p><p>An illustrated exploration of major medieval pilgrimage cities and shrines, examining sacred spaces, saints’ cults and the experiences of pilgrims travelling to some of Europe’s most famous sanctuaries.</p><ul><li><p>The growth of pilgrimage centres in medieval Europe</p></li><li><p>The role of saints, relics and miracles</p></li><li><p>The development of shrine churches and sacred spaces</p></li><li><p>Pilgrimage to Assisi</p></li><li><p>Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela</p></li><li><p>Pilgrimage to Bury St Edmunds</p></li><li><p>Pilgrimage to Canterbury</p></li><li><p>The social and economic impact of pilgrimage cities</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Identify major European pilgrimage cities and their significance</p></li><li><p>Explain the importance of saints’ cults and relics</p></li><li><p>Describe how pilgrimage shaped medieval towns and economies</p></li><li><p>Discuss the experience of pilgrims visiting shrine cities</p></li><li><p>Compare different pilgrimage destinations</p></li></ul><p>This is an introductory course suitable for all with an interest in medieval history. No prior knowledge is required. It may be taken independently or after Part 1.</p><p>Teaching will include illustrated lectures, maps, images of churches and shrines, and group discussion. Extracts from contemporary accounts may be shared.</p><p>There is no compulsory homework, though optional reading may be recommended.</p><p>There are no additional costs. Handouts will be provided. Please bring a notebook and pen if you wish to take notes.</p>HEH85The medieval history of Sicily 1 : the Mediterranean Crucible.HistoryEuropean historyvirtual127159103HEH103NONEWed28/10/26 - 25/11/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetMichael BloomfieldAvailable courses2026-10-28T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities159159Medieval European Pilgrimage part 2: cities and sanctuariesmedieval-european-pilgrimage-part-2-cities-and-sanctuaries/heh103-2627<p>An illustrated exploration of major medieval pilgrimage cities and shrines, examining sacred spaces, saints’ cults and the experiences of pilgrims travelling to some of Europe’s most famous sanctuaries.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-28 00:00:00<p>Pilgrimage was central to medieval religious life and was undertaken by people from every level of society. This illustrated course explores the development of important European pilgrimage cities and sanctuaries and examines how they functioned as religious, economic and cultural centres.</p><p>Each session focuses on a different destination, exploring the saint, shrine, setting and the pilgrim experience.</p><p>An illustrated exploration of major medieval pilgrimage cities and shrines, examining sacred spaces, saints’ cults and the experiences of pilgrims travelling to some of Europe’s most famous sanctuaries.</p><ul><li><p>The growth of pilgrimage centres in medieval Europe</p></li><li><p>The role of saints, relics and miracles</p></li><li><p>The development of shrine churches and sacred spaces</p></li><li><p>Pilgrimage to Assisi</p></li><li><p>Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela</p></li><li><p>Pilgrimage to Bury St Edmunds</p></li><li><p>Pilgrimage to Canterbury</p></li><li><p>The social and economic impact of pilgrimage cities</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Identify major European pilgrimage cities and their significance</p></li><li><p>Explain the importance of saints’ cults and relics</p></li><li><p>Describe how pilgrimage shaped medieval towns and economies</p></li><li><p>Discuss the experience of pilgrims visiting shrine cities</p></li><li><p>Compare different pilgrimage destinations</p></li></ul><p>This is an introductory course suitable for all with an interest in medieval history. No prior knowledge is required. It may be taken independently or after Part 1.</p><p>Teaching will include illustrated lectures, maps, images of churches and shrines, and group discussion. Extracts from contemporary accounts may be shared.</p><p>There is no compulsory homework, though optional reading may be recommended.</p><p>There are no additional costs. Handouts will be provided. Please bring a notebook and pen if you wish to take notes.</p>HEH85The medieval history of Sicily 1 : the Mediterranean Crucible.HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history