Medieval Travel and Pilgrimage

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Whether it was to go to Jerusalem to see where Jesus lived, to make the hajj to Mecca, the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad, or to travel beyond unchartered territory, the longing to see distant lands was a common desire in the Middle Ages (500-1500 C.E.). This course will reflect on how aspects of medieval travel have shaped our understanding of movement, tourism, pilgrimage, and even wanderlust in today’s world. The goal to move and discover in the medieval world permeated all facets of life: religious, political, economic, and the personal desire to encounter the unknown. Through great economic and personal costs, many made dangerous journeys to visit places of religious significance. Those who couldn’t travel read travelogs and letters from pilgrims who had made the arduous trek. Through the shared experiences of walking through religious spaces in D.C., as well as physically handling manuscripts and other medieval objects, students will gain a first-hand connection to the medieval world.