14th century, free imperial city of Tremmlingen. The young, freedom-loving Tilla Willinger (Josefine Preuß) leads a sheltered life as the daughter of a wealthy merchant. But her life changes abruptly after the death of her father. Tilla’s brother Otfried (Volker Bruch) breaks off her engagement to the mayor’s son Laux, which her father had planned, and forces her to marry the cunning Veit Gürtler (Dietmar Bär). Otfried also refuses to carry out his father’s will. Out of concern for his salvation, his father had decreed that his heart should be buried in Santiago de Compostela. When Gürtler dies on his wedding night under mysterious circumstances, Tilla comes under suspicion. She flees with her father’s heart in a casket, partly to fulfill his last wish.

Disguised as a man, she joins pilgrims and embarks on the dangerous journey to Santiago de Compostela. Hot on her heels is one of her brother’s unscrupulous henchmen. Together with the heart, Tilla has stolen documents that could convict her brother of treason against the emperor. Mayor Laux also instructs his younger son Sebastian (Jacob Matschenz) to search for Tilla and bring her home safely to Tremmlingen. On her adventurous journey to Santiago de Compostela, Tilla explores the medieval world. She travels through Germany, Switzerland, the France of the 100 Years’ War and Spain. At the end of her pilgrimage to distant Santiago de Compostela, she will no longer be the same person.

“The Pilgrim” is a UFA FICTION production for ZDF with the participation of ORF in co-production with MIA Film s.r.o. in cooperation with BETA Film. The editors are Alexander Bickel and Alexander S. Tung. The producer is Benjamin Benedict, co-producer Michal Pokorný. Sebastian Werninger is the executive producer and Verena Monssen is the producer. “The Pilgrim” is funded by the Czech State Fund for Cinematography Film Subsidies.