Old Roads and Memories of St Henrik of Finland

Abstract

The growing interest in pilgrimages has led to their being organised in Finland—a traditionally protestant country. They are certainly arranged with the best of intentions. Yet, the ‘St Henrik’s Road’, which purports to follow a mediaeval pilgrim route between Turku and Kokemäki, leaves much to be desired. There is no evidence that such a route ever existed—the hypotheses about it have been accepted much too uncritically. The present propaganda for the pilgrimages along ‘St Henrik’s Road’ lulls the general public into believing that the fragments of the mediaeval landscapes connected with the memories of Henrik, the national saint of Finland, are taken care of. The finances for the management of cultural landscapes are, however, scarce, and other sites more truly connected with the history of the saint, or of greater historical importance, are therefore in danger of being neglected.

Key Words:

• Roads
• pilgrim routes
• place names
• St Henrik
• Finland

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.