Civil pilgrimage to the Territory of the Rhone

To commemorate the 450th anniversary of the death of Michael Servetus who was burned at the stake in Geneva, the Ateneo de Zaragoza prepares its civil pilgrimage to some of the places that were part of Servetus vital itinerary. Due to time constraints, we will not be able to visit Paris, Basel or Strasbourg, where decisive moments of the life of this wise man took place. Our pilgrimage will begin in Toulousse (France), where his father sent him to study Law before turning 16 years old. Carcassone will also be part of our trip (despite not being related to Servetus it has sufficient historical merits to be visited). Finally, other cities on the banks of the Rhone, which are identified with the life of the “villanovano” will also be visited: Vienne (where Michael Servetus lived thirteen years as doctor of the archbishop and where he published his main book Christianismi Restitutio, that would be a decisive element leading to his arrest, trial and death), Charlieu (where he practiced as a medical doctor from 1538 to 1540), Lyon (a city with the highest publishing prestige and where Servetus worked coordinating translations and printings and where he met Simforien Champier), Annemasse (a beautiful city on the border with Switzerland, which dedicated a wonderful monument to Servetus) and finally, Geneva, a city so bound to the life, the death and the glory of one of the greatest Aragonians of all times.

All the places related to Servetus will be visited and we will make flower offerings at their monuments and perhaps, with the permission of the French and Swiss authorities, we will place plates to perpetuate amongst the Europeans of the XXI century and their successors the affection of a few Aragonians to the unfading figure of the greatest defender in the history of freedom of conscience and expression. The invitation of Ateneo to participate in this civil pilgrimage has been extended to the City council of Villanueva de Sijena (birthplace of Servetus), to the Michael Servetus Institute and will be also be extended to the Royal Academy of Medicine and the Official Medical Bar of Aragon.

The duration of the trip is eight days (Saturday to Saturday, both included), in the month of September. We will release further details as soon as we get further information. We have contacted a travel agency and asked them to prepare an itinerary as well as a budget for the trip. During the trip there will be cultural acts and some publications regarding the life and the work of Servetus will be handed out.

The number of people has not been yet determined but it will not exceed 40 people, so that the French and Swiss authorities will be able to receive us. Those interested in signing up for the trip can call the Ateneo (San Voto, 9, 50003 Zaragoza; telephone 976 29 82 02).

Fernando Solsona

President of the Ateneo

Member of the Michael Servetus Institute