Every year thousands of pilgrims crisscross Europe on their way to places with evocative names such as Lourdes or Santiago de Compostela. Alone or in groups they follow pilgrimage routes, often centuries-old, doing penance for their sins, in hope of a miracle, or as a personal challenge and spiritual journey. Tommaso Bonaventura photographed these pilgrims on their travels, the roots of which lie more than a millennium back in history.

Tommaso Bonaventura (b. 1969) has done reportages on the Danube, the Muslim community in Italy, and other topics. Since 1996 he has been a member of the staff at Agenzia Contrasto, in Rome.