Jerusalem – The Holy Land remained a central destination for Christian pilgrims during the early medieval period. The city of Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, was seen as the ultimate pilgrimage site. However, after the Muslim conquests, it became more difficult to access, leading to the development of other pilgrimage routes within Europe.
 

Rome – As the seat of the papacy, Rome was considered a key pilgrimage destination. Pilgrims journeyed to Rome to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, where the remains of St. Peter were believed to be buried, and to seek the blessings of the pope.
 

Santiago de Compostela – Located in the northwest of Spain, Santiago de Compostela became one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Europe. The shrine of St. James was said to house his remains, and the Camino de Santiago became the primary route for pilgrims traveling from across Europe to the site.
 

Canterbury – In England, Canterbury became an important pilgrimage site after the martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170. Pilgrims visited the cathedral to pay their respects to the saint, and the journey to Canterbury was immortalized in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.