The Jacob Route in the strict sense of the word was the way from Puente de la Reina to Santiago de Compostela. In France, there were four routes to approach Spain and Santiago. The places in France were only gathering points for pilgrims from all of Europe. So, the pilgrimage to Santiago already connected Europe in the late middle ages.
The pilgrims started to Santiago from nearly all Hanseatic towns and doing so, they followed the great trade routes. On their way they frequented special hostels and hospitals. The extension of the Jacob cult is equally depicting the importance of the pilgrimage. Throughout the Hanseatic region, there are nearly everywhere records, remnants, monuments.
So, researching the routes of Jacob pilgrimage within the Hanseatic Region means first of all to collect. Therefore, a questionnaire has been sent to all Hanseatic towns. Some answers have already been delivered. The Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe has started a research project on Jacob routes on its own.
