Holy Grail Route

Abstract

This chapter describes and explains the Holy Grail Route, its process of design as a tourism product, and the tools and methodologies that proved very useful in coming up with new tourism services for the route. This was based on a European research COSME project within the H2020 program, which ran from 2014 to 2016, with the objective being to plan and promote a European thematic, tourist, and transnational route. The basic idea arising from the project is the international collective imagery surrounding the Holy Grail and its traditions, legends, and culture (novels, films, tales), and creating a European route in which different countries and partners are represented: Bulgaria, Greece, Malta, Spain, and Great Britain. The route explores different ideas and topics such as the Arthurian legends, Cathar stories, and Christian traditions. In the case of Spain, the Christian traditions are very deep and have a huge popular appeal. The authors have found modern novels, historical representations, and cultural movements created specifically around it, and a great many Christians wanting to work in the sphere of this important relic, the Holy Grail, which is kept in Valencia cathedral and, for centuries, was in the territory of Aragon. What are the main goals of this project? What kind of social and economic agents have been involved in it? Both the theoretical framework and methods used will be explained in this chapter.

Happiness and Cultural Tourism: The Perspective of Civil Participation

“…and in an important group of activities gathered all the information and capturing it in a diversity of publications. As a result of this method, the following outcomes were achieved and published: i) several encounters achieved (San Lorenzo y los lugares del Grial); ii) an international conference in 2015; iii) a book about the Holy Grail Route; iv) a divulgative historical journal; v) other outcomes such as attendance in meetings regarding the design of the Spanish Holy Grail Route, as shown in Figure 3 [31,35]. The author who was an active participant in one of the cultural associations (Huesca Cuna de San Lorenzo) was also leading the so-called 'GRAIL project'.…”

“…The cultural and business associations have gathered counties, municipalities and interested individuals around the route. A deep social interest and profound emotions emerge around the chalice that remains imperishable despite its very long history and legends and myths that surround it [31,35]. Recently, the guardian of the holy cup in the cathedral of Valencia, Dr Jaime Sancho, identified the relic in relation to the tangible heritage of the Christian church [36], as shown in Figure 1a.…”

“…Religion may explain a purpose in life that The Vatican wanted to reinforce this with the Jubilee Year of Mercy and the Holy Chalice. It was celebrated in 2015 and there will be a jubilee year every five years [31]. This route passes through different countries and has two main branches.…”

“…The point is not exactly oriented towards religion, but to a new spirituality, and even a new religiosity. Such social movements that are in between mysticism and esotericism improve individual and social happiness [31]. Previous research show the emergence of a new kind of spirituality.…”