A European Informational Website
learn more
A pilgrim is one who undertakes a religious pilgrimage, literally 'far afield'. This is traditionally a visit to a place of some religious significance; often a considerable distance is traveled. Examples include a Muslim visiting Mecca or a Christian or Jew visiting Jerusalem. No religion has laid greater stress on the duty of a pilgrimage than Islam in the Hajj. In the United States the word "Pilgrims" usually refers to the first European settlers of New England, who celebrated the "First Thanksgiving" with the Native Americans in 1621.