Pilgrimage & enjoyment - on St. James's Day on the trail of St. James in Soest｜Germany

Since the Middle Ages, people have been making pilgrimages to Santiago di Compostela in Galicia - Soest, as one of the largest cities in the empire, was of course connected to the long-distance pilgrimage routes. We find numerous pictures, clues and places in the city that go back to this time. The oldest inn in Westphalia, the PilgrimHaus, has always been a pilgrimage site and to this day pilgrims stay there on their way and secure the coveted pilgrimage stamp.

Nowadays, it's not just pilgrims who are on the trail for religious reasons. Taking time away from the "all-inclusive" mentality, pausing in beautiful places, enjoying time and peace, or even persevering in the rain and cold and looking forward to a simple snack and a good conversation with like-minded, but still strange people - all these are elements of pilgrimage, in addition to blisters on the feet, knee and back pain.

On this quiet tour, starting from the direction of the rising sun, equipped with the emblem of all pilgrims, the scallop shell, we'll follow the path of the pilgrims through the city. We'll discover depictions of James in different places, let the architecture of the large churches work its magic on us, and enjoy the silence and atmosphere of small alleys and squares.

What do you actually do with the scallop shell on the way? What's the pilgrim's step? You'll know by the end of the tour.

Of course, you'll have the opportunity to add to your pilgrim's pass at the five stamping points in the city, or perhaps to experience the fascination of pilgrim stamps for the first time.

The tour ends in the Pilgrim House with a hearty snack and a pilgrim beer, as has been the custom since ancient times.