Way of the Stars

A European cultural symbol makes its mark

The Way of the Stars stands for the concept of nature-based and networking cultural tourism in the European Greater Region of Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Lorraine. It initiates a new hiking culture. Signposts made of stone scallops, ornaments made of field stones and stars refer to medieval cultural monuments and the old St. James' paths that once led through this landscape. The project was developed in the Regional Association Saarbrücken and realized with the support of qualification measures for people seeking employment across borders with many committed partners.

Project information 

Film clip about the project

The idea

Between 2006 and 2010, a unique project was realized along the rediscovered St. James routes. With the support of official partners and the population, path signs have been created between Speyer, Saarbrücken/Sarreguemines and Metz as part of qualification measures, which refer to the great tradition of the cult of St. James. These are scallop shell stones, path ornaments made of field stones and star symbols carved in stone.

These waymarkers are committed to the tourist network idea: On the one hand, the project links the entire region in terms of cultural tourism, and on the other hand, the signposts draw attention to important cultural monuments, the cultural history of the landscape and the cult of St. James.

The waymarks

Scallop stones

Symbolically, these waymarks refer to various historical aspects.

On the entire route from Speyer via Saarbrücken to Metz (networking zone), reference is made to the symbol of St. James the Apostle and all pilgrims of St. James, the scallop shell. Scallop shell stones, made by hand according to Galician models, were embedded in the ground at certain points. They have a symbolic function: they refer to interesting medieval monuments along the regional Way of St. James or mark viewpoints in the landscape and remind us of the pilgrims of St. James, who already in the Middle Ages were on their way through this region to Santiago de Compostela.

Path ornaments from field stones

At selected points on the routes Hornbach - Saarbrücken/Spicheren and Hornbach - Sarreguemines (core zone of the project) "path ornaments" made of field stones remind of the tradition of the old way fortifications. These sunken paths were already at the time of the Romans by hand artfully "embroidered"

Stars

The stars allude to the name "Way of the Stars" in use since the Middle Ages, which was already in use as a synonym for the Way of St. James, especially in Spain. The ancient amazement of people in the face of the starry sky and its interpretation as a signpost to Santiago de Compostela is thus recalled.

Reconstructed star motifs, which refer to depictions of stars in the medieval monuments of the region, are embedded in a decorative band of fieldstones laid across the path on the right-hand side in front of each village entrance (only in the core zone of the project) and welcome passing pilgrims.

The philosophy

Cultural tourism close to nature or the cautious traveling from place to place

The philosophy of the project is based on the characteristics of nature-based cultural tourism: nature-inspired, carefully designed wayside signs become the mediators of sometimes undiscovered sights. A nature-oriented cultural tourism neither interferes with the landscape nor changes it in the long term.

The waymarkers establish a link with the old Camino de Santiago routes, which also passed through the local regions, thus contributing to the preservation of historic routes. They offer a point of orientation and perhaps also a stimulus for all those who want to engage with all their senses with their homeland or the landscape in which they are currently traveling, and thereby ultimately also come closer to themselves.

The project room

The route axis from the imperial cathedral of Speyer via Hornbach Monastery, Saarbrücken/Sarreguemines to the cathedral in Metz had already in the Middle Ages for Jacob pilgrims a great importance. Like a red thread, the rediscovered routes meander through the region.

Saarland core zone

The core zone of the project "Way of the Stars/Chemin des étoiles" form the two Saarland routes of the Jakobswege from the starting point of the monastery town of Hornbach in the Palatinate via the Saarland southern route to the French Sarreguemines as well as on the Saarland northern route to Saarbrücken to the state border to Spicheren. In this project space are on the pilgrimage path embedded stone scallops, path ornaments and star symbols.

Networking with the Palatinate and with Lorraine

In a second phase, the project was also extended to the neighboring regions of Palatinate and Lorraine in order to give impetus to tourism in the entire Greater Region and to promote the growing together of the region.

Folding map

A folding map was published especially for the project, inviting people to explore and discover the waymarkers and their secrets along the paths of the pilgrims of St. James in the greater region of Palatinate, Saarland and Lorraine.

In this publication, all trail signs are shown on the symbolically marked trail routes. The associated background information is conveyed with texts and impressive images. In addition, there is general information and tourist contacts on the Way of St. James on the route axis from Speyer, Saarbrücken/Sarreguemines to Metz.

The folding map Way of the Stars/Chemin des étoiles is available at Tourismus Zentrale des Saarlandes, the Saarpfalz-Touristik, the Pfalz-Touristik and the St. James Society Rhineland-Palatinate-Saarland, among others.

Further information at the Pfalz.Touristik e.V.

The project "Way of the Stars/Chemin des étoiles" is a model for a new hiking culture. Signs that can be experienced sensually remind people to take the time to discover the cultural landscape and the myth of the "Way of St. James" and to process what they have experienced. Because the decelerating pilgrimage from place to place creates time and space for reflection. Curiosity and a spirit of discovery are just as much a part of it as openness to the little things along the way that are often overlooked. Successively, all 162 scallop stones with GPS are recorded.

Illustrated book

"Poetic" documentation of a model project along the European paths of the pilgrims of St. James in parts of the Saarland, the Palatinate, Lorraine and Alsace.

A picture book for pilgrimage with the eyes and exciting background information. Format 245 x 290 mm, 504 pages, hardcover, French abstracts. Price: 25,- € (plus shipping costs)

Source of supply

Tourist Information in Saarbrücken Castle
Castle Square 1-15
66119 Saarbrücken
fon. 0049 681 / 506-6006
touristinfo@rvsbr.de

An associated website flanks the documentation and provides, in addition to cultural tourism information and an interactive map, individual route planning for pilgrimage hiking and tracking on the "Way of the Stars": www.sternenweg.net

Lectures and readings are available upon request. Contact: peter.lupp@rvsbr.de