Pilgrim passport, stamps and certificate
Pilgrim passports and stamps are part of an old tradition that is still cherished to this day. In medieval times one used them as proof of pilgrim status. Today their worth is primarily symbolic, and they offer a nice memento of the journey.
The pilgrim tradition
Pilgrimages and pilgrims are part of Christian pilgrim tradition. Pilgrims were to carry with them a pilgrim passport signed by priests. If the pilgrimage was a pilgrimage of repentance, stamps were important evidence. The passport was also beneficial in proving one’s identity to accommodation providers. The pilgrim passport enabled free and limitless passage across Europe
The pilgrim passport today
Nowadays as well, the modern pilgrim passport serves as documentation of your travels. You will collect stamps into your pilgrim passport from each place you visit along your journey. The passport is easy to carry, and it will become a lovely memento of your trip. In addition, you may ask a priest to write their name into your passport and give you their blessing on your journey.
The official pilgrim passport for St. Olav Ways is available from Turku Cathedral and from our online shop. This passport is in three languages and accredited by St. Olav Ways and the European Cultural Routes.
In order to receive the St. Olav certificate, you must show that you have ended up in Trondheim by walking continuously for the last 100 km, or biking or riding the last 200 km. The certificate can be claimed from Trondheim, from the Pilgrim Centre next to Nidaros.
Stamps
Different places offer different kinds of stamps. Along the St. Olav Waterway you may find stamps at churches, but you can also request stamps from service providers such as cafés and accommodation providers. You can easily collect a few stamps a day. A list of pilgrim stamps and services is found here.
Pilgrim’s passport for children
For the route between Turku and Korpo, there is a special pilgrim’s passport available for children. The passport follows Olav’s life journey from viking to king and saint. You can collect stamps and solve tasks during your way. The passport is free. Ask for a copy at Turku Cathedral or other churches or libaries along the path, or at the tourist information points in Pargas, Nagu and Korpo. More information and extra tasks are found here.