The classic Way of St. James begins in France, in the town of St. Jean Pied de Port beneath the Pyrenees, and leads to Santiago de Compostela in Spain - and even another 100 kilometres onward to Cape Finisterre on the Atlantic, which medieval pilgrims believed to be the end of the world.
But the Way of St. James is actually an entire network of routes. They criss-cross Europe, all heading toward Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, modern pilgrims are accompanied by diverse landscapes, monasteries, churches, and historic towns - and by encounters with people from all over the world, often giving rise to lasting international friendships. In 1993, UNESCO inscribed the Way of St. James on the World Heritage List.
Who says you have to walk the entire route and finish in Santiago? You can easily choose just a section — for example, the South Moravian one. It connects mainly with Austrian, Polish, and Slovak routes. The crossroads of the Moravian Ways of St. James is Brno, centred around the famous Church of St. James. Choose your direction. The path is marked by blue-and-yellow signs with the scallop shell of St. James, its heart always pointing toward Santiago. Along the way, you’ll find pilgrim boxes with stamps for your pilgrim passport — the credencial, which you can also purchase online.
Facebook page with pilgrimage tips
On the Facebook page of the St. James’ Way in South Moravia, you’ll find inspiring tips not only for the Moravian route. The organized group also sets out on shared pilgrimages together. For those who are still hesitating, it’s a wonderful way to experience pilgrimage in the company of open-minded people. Anyone can join — from little ones in baby carriers to four-legged companions.