{"id":6484,"date":"2025-06-25T10:00:06","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T08:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.holyart.it\/com\/?p=6484"},"modified":"2025-10-17T17:27:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T15:27:35","slug":"via-francigena-among-the-oldest-pilgrimage-routes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.holyart.it\/com\/religious-items\/via-francigena-among-the-oldest-pilgrimage-routes\/","title":{"rendered":"Via Francigena: Among the Oldest Pilgrimage Routes"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Canterbury to Puglia stretches a road travelled for centuries by people in search of God and of themselves. This is the Via Francigena.<\/h4>\n\n

Most of us have probably heard of the Via Francigena, one of the most renowned pilgrimage routes in the world. A journey of self-challenge and inner reflection<\/strong>, it tests body and mind along its nearly 2,000 km route, from Canterbury<\/strong> in England to Santa Maria di Leuca in Puglia<\/strong>, passing through France and Switzerland. It is a journey of faith<\/strong>, as it crosses Rome<\/strong>, where the earthly remains of the apostles Peter and Paul have lain for centuries.
\nIn fact, it is not quite correct to speak of a single Via Francigena, also known as the Francisca or Romea. The Via Francigena is not just one road<\/strong>, but a network of routes<\/strong> that brought pilgrims from Canterbury to Rome and then on to Puglia, from where they could embark for the Holy Land<\/strong>.
\nThis long route winds through unspoiled nature, ancient and picturesque villages, cities rich in art, and breathtaking landscapes. It was declared a European Cultural Route<\/strong> in 1994, on par with the Camino de Santiago de Compostela<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get to know it better.<\/p>\n

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\"camino<\/p>\n

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For centuries, the Camino de Santiago has represented one of the most significant pilgrimages of faith…<\/a><\/strong>
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What is the Via Francigena<\/h2>\n

As mentioned, it is an ancient road, or rather a set of roads, that since the Middle Ages linked Canterbury to Puglia, the embarkation point for pilgrims and Crusaders travelling to the Holy Land. The landscapes along the route are strikingly varied: from the Gothic splendour of Canterbury Cathedral<\/strong><\/a> to the timeless allure of Rome, from the towering mountains of France and Austria to the cobalt-blue seas of Puglia.
\nBeyond the natural and architectural wonders, the Via Francigena has absorbed, over centuries, the cultures and traditions<\/strong> of those who travelled it. It is a true custodian of Western civilisation and spirituality.<\/p>\n

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\"St<\/p>\n

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St Augustine of Canterbury, evangelizer of England<\/a><\/strong>
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In the past, this road network was called the Vie Francigene<\/strong>, as they were built by the Franks to more easily oversee the lands they had conquered and subdued. Later, in the Middle Ages, these routes came to be known as Vie Romee<\/strong>, because they led pilgrims to Rome\u2014one of the three great Christian pilgrimage destinations<\/strong><\/a>, alongside Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostela.<\/p>\n

How long is the Via Francigena? <\/strong>The full route stretches for 1,700 km<\/strong> from Canterbury to Santa Maria di Leuca, with a total elevation gain of 1,347 metres. It can be completed on foot in about a month and a half, averaging 20 km per day, or in around two weeks by hybrid bicycle, averaging 60 km per day.<\/p>\n

What are the most beautiful stages of the Via Francigena? It\u2019s hard to say, given its diversity. Much depends on the interests and preferences of the traveller.
\nEven the very first stage, from Canterbury to Dover<\/strong> via the North Downs Way, offers views of the beautiful English countryside.<\/p>\n

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\"places<\/p>\n

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5 places of pilgrimage to go to at least once in a lifetime<\/a><\/strong>
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Crossing the English Channel, the route enters France<\/strong>, travelling through stunning regions like Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Champagne-Ardenne, Picardy, and Franche-Comt\u00e9.
\nFrom Reims\u2014where French kings were crowned for a thousand years\u2014to Verzy<\/strong>, you can admire the natural wonders of the Montagne de Reims Regional Park and explore the world-renowned Champagne-producing areas, ideal for wine and food lovers.
\nFrom Mouthier-Haute-Pierre to Pontarlier<\/strong> in the Burgundy-Franche-Comt\u00e9 region, the route leads through lush forests and dramatic karst gorges, up to the Jura mountains dividing France and Switzerland.<\/p>\n

In Switzerland<\/strong>, the Via Francigena passes through the cantons of Vaud and Valais.
\nFrom Lausanne to Aigle<\/strong>, the landscape shifts once again, with charming towns, medieval castles, the shores of Lake Geneva, and the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyard terraces.
\nBetween the Great St Bernard Pass and \u00c9troubles<\/strong>, the route climbs to 2,473 metres above sea level, amid snow-capped peaks and alpine flowers. Here lies the highest point of the Via Francigena, before descending into the Aosta Valley, with its stunning mountain vistas, wildlife, and unmissable culinary delights.
\nWe\u2019ll explore in a later section where the Via Francigena runs through Italy.<\/p>\n

Sigeric\u2019s Itinerary<\/h2>\n

It was Sigeric of Canterbury<\/strong>, Archbishop of Canterbury in the late 10th century, who first documented the stages of the journey along the Via Francigena. His itinerary, meticulously recorded in a travel journal, traced a route from Canterbury to Rome, about 1,020 km in total, completed in fourteen days.
\nEven today, some pilgrims follow this historic path, aware of its difficulty and the need for good physical preparation. Sigeric\u2019s itinerary remains the most faithful to tradition. Here are the key stops:<\/p>\n