Pilgrims of Hope...

(JERUSALEM WAY Peace Dove in Austria: open details)
Discover the Jerusalem Way – A pilgrimage of hope,
filled with spirituality, history and adventure
The Jerusalem Way is a unique pilgrimage route. It is the longest interreligious, intercultural peace and pilgrimage route in the world.
The Jerusalem Way is around 8.500 kilometres long, passing through fifteen countries in Europe and Asia. The route begins in Finisterre, Spain, and goes east towards Jerusalem, where the three monotheistic world religions intersect. The Jerusalem Way also links the three most important pilgrimage destinations of Christianity – Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela.
A particular motivation for walking the Jerusalem Way is a desire for peace. Every pilgrim is a symbol of hope, the hope for peace (Peregrinantes in Spem). The "JERUSALEM WAY" is an international peace project which aims to connect people, cultures and religions and thus further peaceful coexistence (see www.jerusalemway.org). "When on foot, you are not a stranger."
Whether you walk one stage, several stages or the whole route: every step is an invitation to self-reflect and to encounter foreign cultures and people along the way. On this path of peace, the pilgrims are taken on a journey to the roots of their faith, to their inner peace and ultimately to themselves.
The Jerusalem Way was started in 2010 by the three pilgrims from Austria, Johannes Aschauer, Otto Klär and David Zwilling. The route connects various cultural and spiritual traditions and religions. Walking to Jerusalem, the pilgrim passes important historical places, several apostles' graves and numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. Along the way, in partner cities such as Melk, Linz, Fulda and others, the symbol of the Jerusalem Way, the dove of peace, has been set up as a visible sign.
Who is the Jerusalem Way for?
A pilgrimage on the Jerusalem Way appeals to people who want to experience something special. Far away from the well-known pilgrimage routes, you can experience the authenticity of the pilgrimage experience of earlier times first hand on the marked Jerusalem Way. On the route from the Balkans, which is still little developed for tourism, you experience pilgrimage in its original sense: on the way to yourself, trusting in the moment and divine guidance. A pilgrim is thus not only physically challenged, but also trained in trust and spiritually and emotionally enriched.
Whether you are an experienced walker or a first-time pilgrim, the Jerusalem Way offers the opportunity for everyone to embark on a personal and spiritual journey, regardless of age, gender, faith or experience. Both individuals and groups are welcome to set out on the Way to Jerusalem.
It is also possible to join one of the organized pilgrimages (open link). Walking in groups promotes the community of pilgrims, a special feeling of connection and security. Information on pilgrim passports, GPS data, pilgrim equipment, hostels along the way (“Houses of Hope”) and more can be found on the multilingual website www.jerusalemway.org
What distinguishes the Jerusalem Way from other pilgrimage routes?
The Jerusalem Way differs from other pilgrimage routes not only in its historical and cultural diversity and depth, but also in the experience of great hospitality in countries and cultures that are mostly completely unknown to us.
The route passes through stunning landscapes and important religious sites, giving pilgrims the opportunity to not only enjoy the impressive scenery but also delve into the history and traditions of the regions they pass through.
The “JERUSALEM WAY” brings together different religions, nations and cultures in an extraordinary peace project and stands for mutual recognition, respect and appreciation of different ways of life.
Why walk the Jerusalem Way?
Experiencing exceptional hospitality is a profound experience. The group of Jerusalem Way pilgrims is a constantly growing community of people who support each other and become ambassadors of the longest peace and pilgrimage route. Our international community now includes members from 110 countries and all continents.
Some of the highlights along the way
Santiago de Compostela | Pyrenees | Le-Puy-en-Velay | Maria Einsiedeln | Peace City Linz | Melk | Vienna | Budapest | Belgrade | Amselfeld | Skopje | Thessaloniki | Philippi | Dardanelles | Troy | Alexandria on the Troad | Pergamon | Izmir | Ephesus | Pamukkale | Antioch | Taurus Mountains | Konya | Tarsus | Antakya | Aleppo | Damascus | Amman | Mount Nebo | Jordan Valley | Dead Sea | Jericho | Judean Desert | Mount of Olives | Bethlehem | Jerusalem
The pilgrim walks on many historical paths such as: the Way of St. James, the paths of the Apostle Paul, Via Egnatia, in the footsteps of Mother Teresa, the Serbian Monastery Road, the Sufi Trail, the Palestinian Heritage Trail and also the footsteps of the Crusades. Pilgrimage can also mean a certain healing of the path. Healing through conscious prayer or meditation at the places and for the events of the past and present.
Like a river system, the Jerusalem Way is the main stream that connects various feeder routes to the east and has been expanding steadily since its founding in 2010. Currently, 18 countries are connected to Jerusalem (as of 2024).
Jerusalem Way feeder routes & partner routes
Germany: Jerusalem Way of the Kings (from Cologne) | Jerusalem Way of the Apostles (from Fulda) | Jerusalem Way of the Monasteries (from Volkenroda)
Poland: Jerusalem Way Poland (from Westerplatte / Gdansk)
Slovakia: Jerusalem Way Slovakia (from the PL & SK border)
Partner routes via Rome to Jerusalem: Via Romea | Via Francigena | Via Francigena du Sud
By strengthening the “INNER PEACE” of the pilgrim along the way, PEACE is brought into the OUTSIDE WORLD. Every day on the pilgrimage counts and is a sign of hope.
