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The popularity of pilgrimage increased more in the 1300 after the institution of the holy years. The much criticized medieval indulgence is usually associated with the reformation or crusades and almost always seen as the papacy's instrument. However the indulgences origins antedate the papal monarchy and the crusades. A pilgrimage can be defined as a journey seeking for spiritual or moral significance. In general, it is a journey made by a person or group of persons to a shrine or any other location which is of great importance to their faith and beliefs. Christian belief is one of the religions whose believers make pilgrimages. Among the holy places visited by Christians is Rome. Rome pilgrimage was one of the major pilgrimages in the middle ages. The saints' relics were believed to have great power and those for the apostles were especially highly thought of. The ideology of pilgrimage has a long background in the tradition of Christianity. The tradition in Rome developed around two of the most important martyrs of the city, namely Paul and Peter. The city's associations with these apostles were so strong that often the pilgrimage was referred to as "ad limina apostolorum" which means to the threshold of the apostles. The pilgrims were referred to as "Romipetae" meaning the Rome seekers. The popularity of pilgrimage increased more in the 1300 after the institution of the holy years. The much criticized medieval indulgence is usually associated with the reformation or crusades and almost always seen as the papacy's instrument. However the indulgences origins antedate the papal monarchy and the crusades. The relationship between the pilgrimage and the indulgences is paid little attention even if the major motivating factor was forgiveness of sin. A major health warning throughout the Middle Ages were carried by pilgrimage to Rome. Depending on the travelers' route, a selection of the: shipwreck, robbers, malaria, warring armies and avalanche were expected be met. For this reason, cautious pilgrims set out after making wills. Reaching Rome didn't indicate end of the trouble as even there, accommodation and food were not easy to come by. Ever since the 12th century, so many ups and downs have been associated with the Rome pilgrimage but have still never been forgotten. It is currently experiencing a revival of interest. The year of 2000 was declared holy in Rome to commemorate the occasion in which pope John Paul II supported strongly pilgrimages on foot. Nowadays pilgrims to Rome More and more people every year now make their way along the ancient roads on foot, horseback or the bicycle. Some pilgrims start from their homes, nearby places or the traditional starting point called Canterbury. The ones that have not got so much time can either start from a point close to Rome or make the pilgrimages in phases by taking advantage of the holidays. The increasing number of pilgrims has led to the publishing of way marks, guides and development of pilgrim accommodation. In order to qualify for the Latin traditional certificate of pilgrimage called the Testimonium, the pilgrims are required by the roman authorities to: i. Carry their pilgrim passports which should be stamped and dated at every journey's stage. ii. Have ridden on horseback or walked at least from Acquapendente to Rome (130km) or cycled 400km from Lucca. iii. And declare a religious or spiritual motivation. There isn't any other rule concerning how you should make your Rome pilgrimage. However, pilgrims to Rome have a certain attitude which is just is summed up as the urge to be true to oneself and show top most respect to other people's motivation. Author of this article is associated with Blue Heart Travel that offers Rome and Medjugorje pilgrimage tours.
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