Abstract
<jats:p>The purpose of this work is to provide a comprehensive characterization of religious tourism that developed on the territory of the Russian Empire during the 19th – early 20th centuries. The article argues that pilgrimage was the oldest and most widespread form of travel, laying the foundations of tourist infrastructure. The concepts of “pilgrimage” and “religious excursion tour” are distinguished. A hierarchy of religious centers is identified – from nationally significant lavras to local shrines – as well as the main foreign routes (Jerusalem, Mount Athos, Constantinople). The scientific novelty lies in considering pilgrimage not only as a spiritual phenomenon but also as a full-fledged economic institution: based on the conducted research, the article systematically obtains new scientific knowledge about pilgrimage in the Russian Empire as a full-fledged economic institution and an instrument of state integration, confirmed by the analysis of financial flows around holy sites (including the falsification of relics) and the comparison of Orthodox and Muslim practices within a unified imperial context. As a result, it is shown that the state supported both traditions, seeking to integrate subjects of different faiths into the imperial space. The work establishes that pilgrimage acted not only as a spiritual practice but also as a significant socio-economic mechanism that influenced the development of regions and Russia’s international ties.</jats:p>