The solo pilgrim phenomenon on the Journey to Santiago de Compostela in Spain

Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela offers profound self-discovery, driven by six interconnected phenomena: disengagement from routine life, solitude, companionship on the journey, spirituality, physical exertion, and immersion in a historically rich environment. This 'intense self-knowledge' emerges as the core benefit for modern pilgrims, who seek an experience that disrupts their usual routines while engaging with a Christian tradition rooted in the archetypal quest for sacredness. The study employed qualitative research using semi-structured interviews with seven Czech pilgrims and grounded theory analysis to explore this phenomenon holistically.

Malis, J., Masilka, D., & Janeckova, K. (2023). The solo pilgrim phenomenon on the Journey to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 18(5), 575–593. https://doi.org/10.1080/1743873x.2023.2201451