Via Francigena

• Length:

  3200 km

• Stages:

  105

• Departure:

  Canterbury

• Arrival:

  Roma - Santa Maria di Leuca (Via Francigena del Sud)

• Ideal period:

  passable all year round

In the early Middle Ages, around the 7th century, the Lombards contested Italian territory with the Byzantines. The strategic need to connect the Kingdom of Pavia and the southern duchies by a sufficiently safe route led to the choice of an itinerary until then considered minor, which crossed the Apennines at what is now the Cisa Pass, and after the Magra Valley turned away from the coast in the direction of Lucca.

From here, so as not to get too close to the areas in Byzantine hands, the route continued through the Elsa Valley to Siena, and then through the valleys of ‘Arbia and Orcia, to reach the Val di Paglia and Latium territory, where the route joined the ancient Via Cassia leading to Rome. The route, which took the name “Via di Monte Bardone,” from the ancient name of the Cisa Pass, Mons Langobardorum, was not a real road in the Roman sense, nor even in the modern sense of the term.

It is mainly thanks to the travel diaries, and in particular Sigeric’s notes, that we can reconstruct the ancient route of the Francigena. In 990, after being ordained Archbishop of Canterbury by Pope John XV, the Abbot returned home, noting on two handwritten pages the 80 tasks where he stayed overnight. Sigeric’s diary is still considered the most authoritative itinerary source, so much so that it is often referred to as “Via Francigena according to Sigeric’s itinerary” to define the most “philological” version of the route.

The Credential, or “pilgrim’s passport,” is the document on which the wayfarer receives a stamp at tourist offices, parishes, accommodation and refreshment facilities he or she encounters along the way. In addition to being a valuable memento of the experience, the credential distributed by the European Via Francigena Association offers many benefits.

The European Association of Via Francigena (AEVF) was founded in 2001 with the aim of promoting the route certified by the Council of Europe in 1994. Currently 235 local authorities, 88 nonprofit organizations and more than 400 private entities, active in the hospitality, tourism and service sectors, join the AEVF network. The Association also manages the itinerary’s promotion channels, such as: the official website www.viefrancigene.org, social channels, a dedicated newsletter in 3 languages, the Facebook community “Via Francigena – Road to Rome”, the “Visit Vie Francigena” portal dedicated to operators and the magazine “Via Francigena and the European Cultural Routes”.

Via Francigena was certified as a “Council of Europe Cultural Route” in 1994, and the European Association of Via Francigena (AEVF) was recognized by the Council of Europe as the institutional contact for the protection and enhancement of Via Francigena in 2007. Since that time, the Council of Europe and its Cultural Routes Program have been strategic institutional partners of the Association. The main objectives of the Cultural Routes Program are related to the promotion of European identity based on a common set of values; the enhancement of intercultural and interreligious dialogue; the preservation of cultural and natural heritage as a source of social, economic and cultural development; and the promotion of cultural and sustainable tourism.

The “official” signageinstalled to date along Via Francigena is represented by:

– Metal road sign that is then installed along sections of the route where motor vehicles also pass

– Small metal sign that lends itself to installation along country roads and paths

– Yellow aluminum support on which a signpost is installed, equipped with an arrow

– White-red stickers with the black pilgrim symbol

– Paint signpost with the black pilgrim symbol.

European Via Francigena Association

Piazza Duomo 16

43036 Fidenza (PR)

Email: segreteria@viefrancigene.org

Website: www.viefrancigene.org

Tel.+39 0524-517380