active
relaxing
Pilgrimage routes in and around Stade
The journey is its own reward
The Hanseatic city of Stade is interwoven with the theme of pilgrimage in various ways: The famous Way of St James runs through the town, while the Via Romea Germanica pilgrimage route even has its starting point here. Abbot Albert of Stade left behind meticuluous notes on his pilgrimage route in his travel notes. Thanks to his “Stade Itinerary”, we can reconstruct the route today and follow in his footsteps
Via Romea Germanica
As is well known, all roads lead to Rome, including the Via Romea Germanica, which begins in Stade. Those who set out on the route follow a centuries-old pilgrimage route that goes back to traditional connecting paths between Scandinavia, Italy and Jerusalem. Pilgrims on the Way of St James and the Via Romea Germanica will find safe routes through a landscape of churches and monasteries that is over 1000 years old.
The Benedictine abbot Albert von Stade also made use of this connection on his journey in 1236 and left behind a description of the route to Rome in his travel notes. Thanks to his “Stade Itinerary”, we can reconstruct the most of the route today and follow in his footsteps. The Hanseatic city of Stade is the starting point of the pilgrimage route, with the first stage beginning in the inner courtyard of the former Franciscan monastery of St John.
In the spirit of the European idea that Europe unites people from different countries and cultures, the historic route connects pilgrims, hikers and travellers as a path of encounter in order to overcome borders, appreciate different cultures in their particularities and live common traditions and values together.
The Way of St James
The Way of St James is the name given to a large number of pilgrimage routes throughout Europe, all of which have the tomb of the Apostle St James in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (Spain) as their destination. Primarily, the name refers to the 11th century Camino Francés, the main medieval route in northern Spain, which leads from the Pyrenees to the tomb of St James.
An old pilgrim’s proverb says: “The Way of St James begins on your doorstep.” This is fitting, as there are also a good 30 German routes by that name. Of these, the Via Jutlandica and the Via Baltica are among the most important in Germany. Both lead through the region of Stade. They are of different lengths, run into each other and can therefore be easily combined. Theoretically, you can make a pilgrimage from northern Germany to southern Germany and onwards via Switzerland and France to Spain and Santiago de Compostela.
The Mönchsweg
The 530 km long Mönchsweg follows in the footsteps of early Christian missionaries on their way to the north. It takes you to 100 churches that are centuries old and made of fieldstone and brick, which still characterise the northern German landscape today.
The route runs along charming paths from Bremen via Stade to Wischhafen on the Elbe. There you cross the river by ferry to Glückstadt. The route then takes you to Puttgarden on Fehmarn and on to Roskilde in Denmark.
The slogan “With body and soul…” emphasises the combination of peace and relaxation with sporting activity as well as natural and cultural experiences.
