Pilgrim walks are part of the cultural heritage of Christianity. People travelling to holy places are called pilgrims. The word stem has found its way into different languages through Medieval Latin (pelegrinus) but it is derived form classical Latin (peregrinus, a foreigner). People take part in pilgrim walks by different reasons; as a token of thanksgiving, repentance or because of religions and/or cultural interest. During the walk from the old Parliament site Þingvellir to the bishop’s site Skálholt, lasting from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon, stops are made for praying, readings from the Bible or for meditation and rest in silence.
The pilgrim walks are an annual event linked to the Skálholt festival which takes place every summer very close to the 20th of July, e.g. Saint Thorlaks’ day.
This is a map of the road to Skálholt from the old Parliament site Þingvellir.
