Once a year, the Lutheran Scandinavian pilgrimage representatives meet for a conference to discuss pilgrimage theology, pilgrimage routes and cooperation. This conference usually takes place in the Scandinavian languages (Danish, Swedish, Norwegian). A few Germans also take part in this conference. 

This year, for the first time, Finland hosted the event and the meeting took place in Turku, the oldest Finnish city. However, since the Finns usually do not speak one of the Scandinavian languages, the conference language this time was English. That is why some pilgrimage representatives from Estonia and Iceland also attended.

It is fascinating to see how many pilgrimage routes in Northern Europe and the Baltic region are signposted and have pilgrimage centers.

What characterizes the Nordic routes?

The main pilgrimage destinations are Nidaros (Trondheim) in Norway and Vadstena in Sweden. There are often connecting routes between these pilgrimage destinations or from there connecting routes to the south towards Santiago de Compostela. 

The pilgrimage season is a bit shorter than in southern Europe due to the sometimes harsh weather. 

The days are long and the nights are short. This makes the day easier, because you always arrive in daylight.

The history of Scandinavia is shaped by the Hanseatic connections of the Baltic Sea region. 

The paths are far less traveled and there are long stretches of unspoilt nature. 

The churches of Northern Europe are often very old: many are Gothic, some even Romanesque. The Reformation reached Northern Europe at the same time as Germany, so that in many areas pilgrimage was forbidden after the Reformation on pain of punishment. Now, however, the pilgrimage trend is unbroken there. The Lutheran churches have discovered pilgrimage for themselves and in some pilgrimage churches regular prayers are offered. Since the Nordic Lutheran churches were strongly influenced by Philipp Melanchthon, unlike in central and southern Germany, confessionals are still part of the furnishings in many churches.

In particular, the Swedish and Finnish Lutheran churches have been more strongly influenced by the Anglican Church again in the last 20 years through liturgical reforms, which is strongly reflected in the design of services and pilgrim devotions.

One “fruit” of the joint conferences is that the Nordic routes are increasingly being made accessible to international pilgrims, especially from Germany. 

Pilgrim passes for the Olavsweg can be ordered via the homepage. The Ecumenical Pilgrim Initiative can help with information on the subject of “Pilgrimage in Sweden”. 

Those interested in the pilgrimage routes of Northern Europe will find a wide range of options in the “Nordic Corner” at the Pilgrim Fair in Hamburg, where the Scandinavian countries present their routes.

Ellen Nemitz