Way to Jerusalem has been awarded the Iter Vitis Cultural Wine Heritage Prize 2025

Way to Jerusalem has been awarded the Iter Vitis Cultural Wine Heritage Prize 2025, granted by the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.This distinction recognizes its cultural and community mission, and its commitment to meaningful, human-centered travel that connects people, traditions, and place.

An ancient blessing, a living spiritJacob’s ancient blessing to Judah—invoking the vine and its abundance—symbolizes Judah as a cradle of culture, identity, and community. It echoes the spirit of the Way itself, where fertile land and human encounters form an essential part of the experience.

A modern pilgrimage with ancient rootsThe Way is a 111-kilometre pilgrimage route linking Jaffa Port to Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. Along the path, pilgrims walk through diverse communities, the wine-growing landscapes of the Judean Hills, and scenery shaped by millennia of history.

During the journey, they stay in villages, meet local residents, and engage in intercultural and interfaith dialogue. It is a slow, human, and authentic way of travelling—faithful to how this land has been crossed since ancient times.

Thanks to the work of historians and archaeologists, ancient trade and pilgrimage routes have been carefully reconstructed, allowing today’s travellers to experience the emotional and cultural depth of the original ways.

The wine heritage of the Judean HillsIn its mountainous section, the Way crosses through the wineries of the Judean Hills, where viticulture has shaped local identity for thousands of years. These wineries are a living expression of an agricultural heritage that continues to evolve, forming the Judea wine region—officially recognized worldwide as a D.O. (Denomination of Origin). Their presence along the route tells an ancestral story of land, spirit, and community.

A pilgrimage for our timeThis is a contemporary experience that unites past and future, promoting slow, sustainable, and responsible travel. Through local communities, hospitality, and intercultural dialogue, the route invites people of all ages, cultures, and beliefs to take part in it.

The people behind the WayThe initiative was created by Yael Tarasiuk Nevo and Golan Rice.Golan—a researcher of ancient and modern pilgrimage routes with extensive experience on paths such as the Camino de Santiago—brings deep knowledge of history, culture, and interreligious dialogue. Yael specializes in community-building and inclusive social projects. Together, with experts and archaeologists, they reconstructed the historical routes to create a safe, accessible, and community-centred path. Their work strengthens local economies, empowers residents, and revives one of the world’s oldest cultural journeys.