"Spiritual tourism"
Bavaria is becoming a more and more important hub for all pilgrims going to European sanctuaries from central or northern Europe: the most appreciated ones in the so-called “spiritual tourism”, such as Santiago de Compostela, Lourdes, Fatima and Assisi, as well as more territorial destinations connected with the German Marian national cult such as the Altötting sanctuary, or local destinations such as the route to Sankt Rupert, the apostle of Bavaria, with thousands of pilgrims every year. The spiritual circuit of 248 kilometres along the places of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has become an appointment. This circuit is dotted with monasteries and chapels, while the Altötting sanctuary is the most important spot. Thanks to its central geographic position in the Land, it has become a real hub over centuries, with an endless series of interconnections allowing pilgrims to make faith routes in several stages, taking advantage of different charismas and spiritualism: perhaps, dividing long journeys to the most famous places in several years; to get to Santiago de Compostela directly, a German pilgrim from Bavaria would have to travel “just” 2,800 kilometres. The pilgrimage experience is more and more ecumenical; in several cases, Catholics and Evangelicals have made common experiences. In 2010, an ecumenical cycling pilgrimage was opened in the north of Munich, divided into 7 stages, that is the number of the works of mercy. Detailed map of the several routes you can follow at www.erzbistum-muenchen.de/spiritualitaet/pilgern.
