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Howard Kramer's, The Complete Pilgrim, Religious Travel Site

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HISTORIC JEWISH SITES OF GERMANY THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HOLOCAUST

September 25, 2021 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

HISTORIC JEWISH SITES OF GERMANY THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HOLOCAUST

When it comes to Jewish history, few countries, if any, have as troubled a past as Germany. From the Rhineland massacres of 1096 through the almost incomprehensible systematic slaughter of the Holocaust in the 20th century, anti-Semitic violence was once a regular occurrence in Germany for the better part of a thousand years.  But Germany also enjoyed many periods where Jews … [Read more...]

MEDIEVAL SYNAGOGUES OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

September 19, 2021 By Howard Kramer 2 Comments

MEDIEVAL SYNAGOGUES OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

Throughout the Middle Ages, synagogues were constructed by Jewish communities all over Europe.  While very few survive from this period, there are several noteworthy clusters of historic medieval synagogues that are still standing throughout the continent.  One such cluster can be found in the Iberian Peninsula.  Many synagogues were built in Spain and Portugal during the … [Read more...]

HOMES AND OTHER SITES OF GREAT JEWISH INTELLECTUALS OF THE EARLY MODERN AGE

September 12, 2021 By Howard Kramer 4 Comments

HOMES AND OTHER SITES OF GREAT JEWISH INTELLECTUALS OF THE EARLY MODERN AGE

Sandwiched between the persecutions and pogroms of the Middle Ages and the terrifying years of the Holocaust, there was a golden age of Jewish culture that flourished in Europe.  From France to Russia, and especially in Central Europe, some of the greatest Jewish thinkers of all time emerged during this period.  The era produced brilliant Jewish philosophers, phenomenally … [Read more...]

ANCIENT SYNAGOGUE RUINS

September 6, 2021 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

ANCIENT SYNAGOGUE RUINS

    The ‘synagogue’ as an institution is very ancient.  It is unknown exactly when the earliest synagogues were built, but in all likelihood it was during the Hasmonean dynasty, which ruled over Judea from 140 BCE to 37 BCE.  Synagogue construction became more widespread after the destruction of the Great Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE.  Despite this, not a single … [Read more...]

PRAGUE JEWISH GHETTO – PICTURE GALLERY

July 13, 2017 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

PRAGUE JEWISH GHETTO – PICTURE GALLERY

                                                                          … [Read more...]

MOUNT CARMEL

June 26, 2016 By Howard Kramer 2 Comments

Israel/Palestine (525 m) – Biblical Site of the Tomb of Elijah Mount Carmel is technically small range of mountains stretching along the traditional northern border of Israel.  Generally the term Mount Carmel usually specifies that hill related to the sites of the life of the Elijah including the tomb where it is believed the prophet is buried.  Because of this Carmel was an … [Read more...]

MOUNT GEREZIM & MOUNT EBAL

June 26, 2016 By Howard Kramer 2 Comments

Israel/Palestine (881 m, 940 m) – Biblical Hills Surrounding Shechem Mount Zion and Mount Ebal are two hills around which much of ancient Israel’s history revolved.  Once sacred to all the descendants of Abraham, Gerezim and Ebal became the center of religious life for the Northern Kingdom after the division, and remained sacred to the group which later became known as the … [Read more...]

MOUNT ZION & MOUNT OF OLIVES

June 26, 2016 By Howard Kramer 2 Comments

Israel/Palestine (765 m, 826 m) – Biblical Hills Surrounding Jerusalem Mount Zion and the Mount of Olives are two ancient hills which flank the old walled city of Jerusalem to the south and east respectively.  Between them they almost perfectly flank the Temple Mount, the most sacred site in Judaism and also highly revered by both Christians and Muslims as well.  Not … [Read more...]

MAJOR LEAGUE DREIDEL CHAMPIONSHIP

October 19, 2014 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

MAJOR LEAGUE DREIDEL CHAMPIONSHIP

Brooklyn, New York Yes, you read that correctly.  It is not a mistake.  You did not imagine it.  There is an actual organization called Major League Dreidel; and they do have an annual Dreidel competition.  It is the Dreidelpolluza of Hanukkah-related non-sporting events.  And though it is only a few years old, I’m guessing that somehow, in the foreseeable future, it is … [Read more...]

TEMPLE DE HIRSCH SINAI

October 19, 2014 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

TEMPLE DE HIRSCH SINAI

Seattle, Washington Temple De Hirsch is one of the oldest and most prestigious synagogues in the Pacific Northwest.  Originally founded as a Reform Synagogue, Temple De Hirsch is renowned for its choir, one of the most famous Jewish choirs in the world.  The quality of the synagogue’s music program is due wholly to the efforts of one Samuel Goldfarb, who was the music … [Read more...]

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THE COMPLETE AMERICAN PILGRIM – NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

THE COMPLETE PILGRIM

Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

Site of the Week

WITTENBERG CASTLE CHURCH

WITTENBERG CASTLE CHURCH

Wittenberg, Germany The … [Read More...]

Friends of TCP Spotlight

5 PLACES TO VISIT IN HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA – MUSLIM TRAVEL ROCKS

5 PLACES TO VISIT IN HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA – MUSLIM TRAVEL ROCKS

by Glory Ali The City of Brotherly Love offers tons to see and do and get this, it’s FREE. That’s right you heard it right it’s FREE. Click here for complete article  

MOVING THE U.S. EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM – FAITH IN FAITHS

MOVING THE U.S. EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM – FAITH IN FAITHS

by Mary Neuhauser President Trump recently announced his intentions to move the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, thereby recognizing Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel. The purpose of this article is to give you a brief overview of what this decision means and why it matters. Click here for […]

Photo of the Week

BASILICA OF ST. DENIS

Last month, I visited one of the most fascinating churches I have ever been to, the almost completely ignored Basilica of St. Denis in the northern suburbs of Paris.  Almost every French monarch is buried here, and almost nobody goes here.  Here are some pics I took:

Basilica of St. Denis

Tomb of Clovis

Tomb of Clovis

Tombs of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Tombs of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Tomb of Louis XIV The Sun King

Tomb of Louis XIV The Sun King

Royal Tombs

Royal Tombs

The Crypt

The Crypt

 

 

 

 

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Contact Us

Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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