The Jerusalem Way is the world’s longest international peace and pilgrimage route. It connects people and countries on a path of encounter, dialogue, and peace – from Finisterre on the Atlantic, across Europe and the Middle East, to Jerusalem, the City of Peace.

Founding of the Route (2010)

The route was first fully explored on foot in 2010 by Johannes Aschauer together with two companions – across more than 15 countries to Jerusalem.

Vision: “The Way connects – across borders, cultures, and religions.”

Founding of the Association (2014)

To coordinate peace, cultural, and educational work at an international level, the association 2014 JERUSALEM WAY International Peace Team e.V. was founded.

Founding members: Johannes Aschauer (Founder and Chairman), Otto Klär (Vice Chairman), David Zwilling (Treasurer), Karin Forster (Secretary), Karl Moharitsch (Deputy Treasurer).

The founding members remain connected to the Jerusalem Way today and support the international development of the project.

The association now connects people and institutions from many countries and works along the route with municipalities, universities, religious institutions, NGOs, and cultural organizations. In addition, partnerships are being developed in other regions.

Headquarters in Linz – City of Peace since 1986

The Jerusalem Way association has its headquarters in Linz – which has officially held the title “City of Peace” since 1986.

Linz is thus – alongside Jerusalem – the only “City of Peace” along the entire Jerusalem Way. Link to City of Peace

Our Tasks & Goals

• Maintenance, development, and documentation of the international pilgrimage route
• Promotion of peace, dialogue, and intercultural exchange
• Cooperation with cities, municipalities, churches, universities & NGOs
• Academic support from international experts
• Organization of events, lectures, pilgrimage programs, exhibitions, and cultural activities
• Development of educational, youth, and peace projects
• International networking of pilgrims

The JERUSALEM WAY International Peace Team Association

The association includes members from various countries as well as numerous supporting individuals and organizations who contribute to the international dissemination and development of the Jerusalem Way.

An overview of our structure can be found in the organizational chart.

Our Structure and Approach

The Jerusalem Way is an international peace and pilgrimage movement that grows organically. Our network is not created through formal memberships, but through genuine commitment, responsible collaboration, and long-term connection to the vision of the Way.

Therefore, we only accept new ordinary members – those with voting rights – when they have actively contributed to the development of the project over an extended period, take on local responsibility, and represent the Jerusalem Way in their country. This quality-oriented approach ensures that the entire process remains authentic, credible, and sustainable.

Numerous other individuals, partner organizations, municipalities, and “House of Hope” contact points support the Jerusalem Way as supporting members or cooperation partners. They are involved in the annual general assemblies and contribute valuable personal experience and local knowledge – an essential element of our “collective wisdom” and international collaboration along the route.

This creates a vibrant community along the route in now 19 countries, working together toward one goal: to strengthen the Jerusalem Way as a bridge of peace between cultures, religions, and people.

Scientific Committee

The Scientific Committee consists of internationally recognized experts from the fields of:

• Sustainable Tourism
• Cultural Geography
• Biblical Archaeology
• Anthropology of Religion
• Sociology of Religion
• Pastoral Theology
• Labor and Social Law
• Religious Anthropology

The experts support research, publications, quality development, and international partnerships.

Intellectual Property

The live moderated film presentations about the Jerusalem Way as well as the book “On the Jerusalem Way” are the private intellectual property of Johannes Aschauer. They were created before the founding of the association and are supported by the association in spirit.