PILGRIMAGE: THE GREAT PILGRIM ROUTES OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE
Listen to the Big Blend Radio interview with Derry Brabbs, who discusses his new photographic essay on the ten great pilgrim routes of Western Europe, an inspiration for today’s long-distance walker.
Pilgrimages in Europe are thriving on a massive scale. This century the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela alone has seen 40 times the number of pilgrim visits. Author Derry Brabbs’ previous book, Roads to Santiago, focused exclusively on the ‘camino’ through France and Spain to Santiago de Compostela; PILGRIMAGE: The Great Pilgrim Routes of Britain and Europe revisits this classic route, and nine other inspirational journeys across Europe.
Whether you’re truly making a pilgrimage, exploring the world, or simply hiking, Pilgrimage will lead you along deeply historical routes like the ‘Jakobsweg’ in Germany, between Cologne and Trier. You’ll find great walks in Britain and France, like St. Cuthbert’s Way which winds around the Scottish Borders to the holy island of Lindisfarne, and the World Heritage Site of Mont-St-Michel built on the tiny island off the coast of Normandy.
The hilltop village of Cirauqui cascades down on all side from the prominent outline of San Román, the Romanesque church around which the oldest part of the village was established and is still entered through a Gothic archway. Photo:© Derry Brabbs.
The most notable addition to the rejuvenated era of pilgrimage is the Via Francigena, now a very well-established path through Switzerland and Italy. The Italian section begins on the bleak summit of the Great St Bernard Pass where a hospice still caters to the needs of passing pilgrims before heading down to Rome through some of Italy’s most beguiling countryside interspersed with medieval hilltop towns and villages.
Astounding photographs combine with an absorbing text that describes the history and key features of each route, as well as brief details of the distances and the number of days it takes to walk, and a list of websites to help plan your journey.
Derry Brabbs is regarded as one of England’s finest photographers within the sphere of heritage and landscape, with over 20 illustrated books to his credit. His stunning colour photographs for the worldwide best-seller James Herriot’s Yorkshire contributed to its success. He is the author of several beautifully photographed titles celebrating England’s landscape and architectural legacy. Derry lives in Harrogate. www.DerryBrabbs.com
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