L’EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF VIE FRANCIGENE (AEVF) AND DE ITALIAN ALPINE CLUB (CAI) HAVE FORMALIZED AN IMPORTANT AGREEMENT FOCUSED ON PROMOTING AND IMPROVING THE OLD PATH, WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. THE AGREEMENT, SIGNED IN THE FIRST DAYS OF SEPTEMBER, aims to make the Italian part of the route more usable and inclusive, while protecting the rich historical and naturalistic heritage that characterizes it. IN THIS WAY, THE OBJECTIVE IS TO STIMULATE THE DISCOVERY OF THE CROSSED AREAS AND PROMOTE SLOW AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MOBILITY
We know the Via Francigena
The Via Francigena crosses four European countries: England, France, Switzerland and Italy, each with a unique natural, historical and cultural heritage. The route, approximately 1,600 kilometers, is not just any journey of faithbut also a living testimony to European history, an artery that facilitated the transit of people, goods, ideas and cultures for centuries and contributed to the construction of a common identity during the Middle Ages.
First documented in 990 AD by Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterburythe Via Francigena was described in detail in his travel diary upon his return from Rome, where he had gone to receive the pallium (a liturgical badge) from the Pope.
This document, known as “Sigerian itinerary”, represents one of the first detailed descriptions thereof, which, however, has evolved over time and adapted to the needs and circumstances of the different historical eras.
Despite numerous variations, the route has retained its relevance and has become one of the most important pilgrimage routes medieval together with the Camino de Santiago. In 2010, the Council of Europe officially recognized the Via Francigena as European Cultural Routewhich confirms its importance not only spiritually, but also culturally and historically.
It is also an increasingly popular destination for hikers, nature lovers and sports enthusiasts sustainable tourism. Thanks to the variety of landscapes and the richness of the historical heritage that surrounds it, this path invites you to a journey that is not only physical, but also internal and that can enrich everyone who ventures on it. But why is it called Francigena?
Etymology of the term
The Via Francigena takes its name from the pilgrims who come from France and the countries beyond the Alps, called “Franks” in the Middle Ages. This term did not refer exclusively to the inhabitants of modern France, but to all populations of Western Europe who crossed these countries to reach Rome, the seat of Christianity. The route was then given a name “Francigena”or “who comes from France”to indicate the road that connected the eternal city with the French territories and the rest of Europe.
Ready for the trip?
Canterbury in England, where the journey begins
The Via Francigena begins in Canterburyone of the most important cities of medieval Christianity, became famous not only for its beautiful cathedral but also for its spiritual centrality, especially after the martyrdom of Thomas Beket in 1170. The cathedral became an essential pilgrimage site, attracting believers from all over Europe. Canterbury is therefore not only the geographical beginning of the journey, but also a symbol of the spiritual dimension of the journey, which combines faith and discovery.
The route winds through the Kent countryside, a green region that, thanks to its fertile soil and agricultural expanses, is also called the “Garden of England”. The landscape is a fresco of rolling hills, dotted with medieval villages, parish churches and historic country houses, testament to an era when the country was the heart of social and economic life. The flora is vibrant: blackberries and blueberries mingle with a variety of wild flowers, while in the woods you can hear the songs of the robin and the great tit, invisible companions of the pilgrims.
Champagne and Burgundy between vineyards and monasteries
Once they cross the English Channel, the pilgrims land on the coast of France and enter a country deeply influenced by history and Christianity. The regions of Champagne and from Burgundy they offer a mix of rural landscapes and historic towns, with every corner steeped in centuries of culture and tradition. Champagne, famous for its vineyardsnot only represents a wine paradise, but also symbolizes man’s work in harmony with nature. The vast vineyards that disappear into the horizon under an open and clear sky are the sign of a crop that has shaped the economy and identity of the region.
Further on, the Via Francigena leads to Burgundy, the land of the ancients Benedictine monasteries and beautiful abbeyssuch as that of Cluny, which was one of the most powerful monastic centers in Europe in the Middle Ages. The oak and beech forests alternate with vineyards and are home to a rich and varied fauna, with species such as deer and roe deer populating the wildest areas.
Historic cities such as Reimsfamous for its Gothic cathedral where the kings of France were crowned, and Besançon, with its citadel designed by Vauban, add a touch of architectural and spiritual splendor to the journey.
The impenetrable passes in the Swiss Alps
After crossing the French plains, the path leads to the imposing Swiss Alpsan area where natural beauty merges with the history of pilgrimage. In recent centuries, the mountain range, with its impenetrable and often dangerous passes, posed a tough challenge for pilgrims heading to Rome or other religious destinations.
At the same time, however, it offered some of the most fascinating and evocative landscapes of the entire route. The alpine vegetation, with its pine trees and larch, covers the valleys and slopes, while plants such as gentian and arnica color the highland meadows. The Great St. Bernard Passone of the most iconic stages, takes its name from the hospice founded in the 11th century by Saint Bernard of Menton, a refuge for pilgrims and travelers who braved the dangers of the mountain.
This pass is not only a natural wonder, but also a cultural and spiritual crossroads, where the Via Francigena embodies the concept of pilgrimage as the crossing of borders and barriers, physical and internal.
The alpine fauna is just as fascinating, with the opportunity to spot animals such as chamois, ibex and golden eagles watching over the snow-capped peaks from above. Here the solemnity of nature invites reflection and contemplation.
Italy from north to south, between history and nature
In Italy, the Via Francigena passes through several regions, offering landscapes rich in history and traditions. The Piedmonta land of medieval castles and abbeys, it is characterized by hills planted with vines, where some of the most popular wines in Italy are produced, such as Barolo.
Towns like Ivrea, with its moraine amphitheater and Vercelli, with its ancient Basilica of Sant’Andrea, tell stories of a glorious past, rich in culture and spirituality.
Enter Tuscany the landscape changes again: the Tuscan hills, covered in Mediterranean scrub, with rosemary, lavender and broom, offer views that seem to come from a Renaissance painting.
The medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano bear witness to a past in which art, faith and power were intertwined. The towers of San Gimignano, symbol of the rivalry between the noble families, stand out on the horizon, while the stone streets and squares of Siena tell of a history steeped in art and religion, culminating in the famous Palio.
From Rome to Puglia
Crossing the Laziothe path reaches Romathe “Eternal city“, the heart of Christianity and a place of pilgrimage since ancient times. The capital, with its thousand-year-old monuments such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and St. Peter’s Basilica, is not only a spiritual stage, but also a city that has shaped the history of the West.
Finally, the journey ends in the countries of southern Italy, where we visit the Campania and Salento in it Puglia. The Amalfi Coast, with its dizzying cliffs and picturesque villages, offers picturesque scenery. If you continue south, you will arrive in Salento, where the Mediterranean scrub it is dotted with centuries-old olive trees and dry stone walls, all the way to Santa Maria di Leuca. This place, known as “To the ends of the earth“, represents the meeting point between the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea, symbolizing the end of the journey but also a new spiritual beginning.
The Shrine of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, overlooking the sea, welcomes pilgrims completing their journey and sealing the long journey that has crossed not only four nations, but also centuries of history and culture.
But let’s get to the deal.
A sustainable future for the Via Francigena
Over the next three years theEuropean Association of the Via Francigena (AEVF) and the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), will commit to the quality and the sustainability of the routes of the Via Francigena. This joint effort includes a series of strategic activities aimed at preserving and improving the trail.
The first objective is the maintenance and improvement of the paths. Specific interventions will be carried out to ensure that the routes remain safe and passable, preserving their integrity and natural beauty. This work includes repairing damaged areas and retrofitting areas that could pose risks to pilgrims.
Furthermore, the signs and posters along the route will be optimized. Renewing signs is essential to ensure that travelers can easily find their way and navigate safely.
An important partnership
Another fundamental aspect is the assessment of cartography and maps. Detailed and updated maps will be created allowing for more accurate and informed travel planning. This initiative aims to make the route more accessible and improve the preparation of pilgrims before departure.
Finally, events and training activities will be organized to raise awareness among travelers and local communities of the importance of the Via Francigena. Seminars and educational programs will promote greater understanding and respect for the trail and its historical and cultural values.
Francesco FerrariChairman of the AEVF, underlined the importance of the agreement with the CAI and emphasized how this collaboration is a crucial step to improve the safety and quality of the route. Laura ColomboVice President of the CAI, added that this partnership will be fundamental in promoting sustainable tourism, which respects and enhances local landscapes and cultures.
This joint effort will ensure that future generations can continue to discover and appreciate the beauty and history of this special pilgrimage route.