Caminoisation and Cathedrals: replication, the heritagisation of religion, and the spiritualisation of heritage

A growing trend of 'Caminoisation' is reshaping pilgrimage practices across Europe, with the Camino de Santiago serving as a model for reimagining and reviving ancient routes or creating new ones. This process introduces key Camino features—such as walking as the preferred mode of pilgrimage, prioritizing the journey over the destination, and adopting material culture like passports and certificates—into diverse contexts, including traditionally Protestant settings like England's cathedrals. Research reveals that this phenomenon is part of a broader shift where religious heritage is being redefined through 'heritagisation,' blending spiritual and cultural elements to enrich pilgrimage experiences. The study highlights how Caminoisation influences the renegotiation of pilgrimage traditions in post-Reformation Anglican contexts, offering insights into the evolving relationship between religion, heritage, and identity.

Bowman, M., & Sepp, T. (2018). Caminoisation and Cathedrals: replication, the heritagisation of religion, and the spiritualisation of heritage. Religion, 49(1), 74–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/0048721x.2018.1515325