WHAT IS THE
TEMPLAR TRAIL?
As
described in the book Along the Templar Trail
by Brandon Wilson (2008), the Templar
Trail is similar to the route followed during the First Crusades in
1096 by Godfrey de Bouillon and his 40,000 troops from France to
liberate the city of Jerusalem. It stretches across eleven
countries and two continents.
It took
those troops four years to reach the Holy City. From those
soldiers, nine were selected to become the first Poor Knights of
Christ of the Temple of Solomon—or the first Knights Templar. These
warrior monks were honored with the duty of protecting Jerusalem,
future pilgrims, and the Temple of Solomon. Legend has it that they
also guarded the Holy Grail.
Where does
today's Templar Trail begin?
In eastern France. Hoping to re-blaze this trail,
in April 2006, Brandon Wilson, an American, and "Émile," a
68-year-old Frenchman, set off on a quest of peace and discovery.
They followed canal paths from Dijon, France thru Switzerland to
Donaueschingen in southern Germany, the source of the Danube River.
Traveling simply, they counted on staying in monasteries, pensions,
or bed and breakfasts. Wilson, an ultra-light trekker, carried only
a seven-kilo (15 pound) pack.
Why walk the
Templar Trail?
Wilson
hoped to make a pilgrimage as
he had done on the legendary Camino Santiago across Spain, the St.
Olav’s Way across Norway, and Via Francigena from Canterbury to
Rome.
Next, he was determined to walk for peace and remind people of the necessity to choose non-violent paths to settle our differences.
Finally, he wanted to transform this way of war
into a path of peace for future pilgrims to Jerusalem. He had seen
how these paths could be personally transformative. An inner peace
is attained. That peace is then shared with pilgrim's families,
colleagues, and communities.
In
southern Germany the modern pilgrims connected with the
Donau
radweg, or bicycle path,
that led them through Bavaria into Austria, then Bratislava,
Slovakia and into Hungary. Depending on the availability of
lodgings, they averaged 31 kilometers (20 miles) a day—spending
just $30 a day per person.
After
reaching Budapest, they headed south still following the Danube
Valley on smaller bicycle paths and roads to
Serbia.
Upon their arrival in Belgrade, the Middle East erupted in war. Israel and Hezbollah traded missiles, Haifa was attacked, Beirut Airport was bombed, and southern Lebanon was evacuated. The world press speculated that this might become the start of World War III. Even still, the men decided to continue walking to Istanbul where they would decide if, how and where to continue. Disaster became the mother of improvisation.
They
connected with the ancient Roman Via Militaris through Bulgaria to Istanbul. As word of their
mission spread, major media, including national television networks
and newspapers in cities such as Belgrade, Sofia, Plovdiv, Nis,
Alanya and others interviewed them, spreading their message of
peace to millions.
As they
walked across the arid Turkish steppes, there was an attempted
attack on the US Embassy in Damascus and an Ebola-like virus
erupted in eastern Turkey. It was far from your typical trip. Some
drastic choices had to be made.
The
border between northern and southern Cyprus had just recently
opened after thirty years. In order to avoid walking through war
zones, Wilson made the short passage from the Turkish coast to
Cyprus, then trekked across that country to the port at Limassol,
home to a Templar fortress and steeped in the history of Richard
the Lionhearted.
After a short Med crossing, Wilson connected with the Israel National Trail, a new, well-marked footpath that led from outside Haifa nearly all the way to Jerusalem. Along the way, as in the ten other countries, he was aided by "angels" who shared their generous hospitality regardless of nationality, culture or religion.
How long did it take to reach Jerusalem?160 days total; 137 of those were walking days. The trail they re-blazed was 4223 kilometers(2620 miles) or the equivalent of walking from New York to LA.
Wilson
believes that each of us can make a difference in the world. After
a thousand years of conflict and destruction, the world is ready
for peace—and peace begins within. As he says, “We are all
pilgrims, each on their own path, each with their own story to
tell. Walking is only a first step, but one we each can take to
discover the peace within. In that way, eventually, war will become
unconscionable. Darkness will be dispelled with light—one person,
one step at a time.”
Along the Templar
Trail contains stages,
distances, rough maps, photos, and a packing list for others who
follow in their footsteps.
Order Now
© 2008,
maps from Along the Templar
Trail by
Brandon Wilson, Pilgrim's Tales, Inc.
Maps may be copied and shared with attribution to their source,
however all publication rights are reserved.