Pilgrimage Routes, Sacred Places, and Contribution to Territories’ Sustainable Development

Dear Colleagues,

The history of pilgrimage routes and sacred places is intertwined with the history of humanity and has played a crucial role in the development of territories over the centuries. These routes have been responsible for creating many localities and settling territories, creating sustainability that has made them last for generations.

Pilgrimage routes have ancient roots and are common in many religions. The first records of pilgrimage date back to pre-classical and classical times, from ancient Egypt through Persia, India, China, and Japan. Greeks and Romans consulted their local gods and oracles, such as that of Delphi. Hebrew pilgrims travelled to such diverse locations as Dan, Bethel, and Jerusalem. This pilgrimage was an ascetic religious practice in which the pilgrim moved to sacred places, trusting totally in Divine Providence in search of healing, spiritual guidance, and religious experiences.

During the Middle Ages, pilgrimage routes reached the height of their importance. Itineraries such as the Camino de Santiago in Spain and the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, have become iconic, lasting until today. These routes led to the construction of churches, monasteries, inns, and hospitals to accommodate pilgrims.

During the colonial era, indigenous cultures' religions and spiritual practices were often integrated into the religious practices of the colonisers, giving rise to new sacred places and pilgrimage routes.

Over the past few hundred years, pilgrimage routes have continued to evolve, becoming more accessible with the advancement of transportation and technology. New routes emerged, often combining historical and spiritual elements such as Catholic sites associated with saints, visions, and miracles such as Lourdes or Fatima.

Pilgrimage routes and the worship of holy places have a significant economic impact on the territories they cross. Pilgrims and tourists spend money on transportation, lodging, food, and souvenirs, creating jobs and stimulating local economies. Pilgrims acquire local handicrafts and products, providing a market for local artisans and preserving traditional skills.

Many sacred places also represent an important cultural and historical heritage. The preservation of these sites contributes to the conservation of the cultural and historical identity of the communities. They encourage cultural exchange as people from different backgrounds encounter local traditions and customs, enriching the region's cultural fabric.

Holy places often attract people from different religious backgrounds, promoting interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding, which can contribute to social cohesion and peace.

Increasing the number of pilgrims leads to investments that benefit visitors and residents. Local communities themselves often organise events, festivals, and services for pilgrims, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose.

Many pilgrimage routes pass through natural areas and sensitive ecosystems. This can raise awareness of environmental conservation and lead to support for protecting these areas.

Pilgrimage routes and sacred places offer spaces for reflection, meditation, and spiritual growth, contributing to visitors' and residents' emotional and spiritual well-being.

Properly managing pilgrimage routes and holy places is critical to ensure these benefits are sustainable and equitable. This includes responsible tourism practices, local community involvement, and responsible development, avoiding overcrowding, environmental degradation, and improper commercialisation of local culture. The sustainable development of these routes and sites must be carefully planned to preserve their long-term value.

There is still a scarcity of scientific literature on these and other related topics. With this Special Issue, we aim to fill these gaps by encouraging researchers from different areas to explore the possibilities of research on these themes in a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, diachronic and/or synchronised, and transversal way.

Prof. Dr. Fátima Matos Silva
Guest Editor

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• religious places and regional planning
• sacred sites and sustainability
• universal accessibility in religious places
• universal accessibility in routes and trails
• religious routes and trails and sustainability
• pilgrims and sustainability
• religions and cultural heritage
• resilience pilgrimage and motivations
• sacred sites and evolution ecumenic
• places of worship and religious tourism
• cultural and religious routes and trails
• the transformational potential of visiting holy sites
• inner/outer experiences
• secular/non-confessional trails
• religion and commerce
• religion and museums
• religion and historical art