The via Francigena is one side of the great triangle of middle age pilgrimage routes linking northern Europe with Santiago de Compostela and Rome and largely follows the Roman roads that facilitated trade and military deployment after the conquest of Britain initiated by Julius Caesar beginning in 55 BC.

Today the route is conventionally travelled from Canterbury Cathedral to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, although the first written record of the route was produced by a clerk to Archbishop Sigeric the Serious on his return from Rome to Canterbury.

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Modern signposted routeSigeric’s probable route alert Alert

Total distance following the signposted route: 2229km
Maximum Altitude: 2469m – Col Grand Saint Bernard

Typical hiking duration: 90-102 days
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The via Francigena is not a single road, but a collection of several possible routes that changed over the centuries as trade and the pilgrimage culture developed and waned. Depending on the time of year, political situation, and relative popularity of the shrines of saints along the route, travellers may have used any of three or four crossings over the Alps and the Apennines.

First documented as thvf ancient mape Lombard Way and later the Iter Francorum, the via Francigena was only mentioned as such in the Actum Clusi, a parchment produced in 876 in the Abbey of San Salvatore al Monte Amiata (Tuscany).

It seems that it was first in England in the 7th century that it became accepted that no archbishop could exercise his authority over his jurisdiction until he had received a pallium from Rome, a practice that was soon widely accepted in the western church. At the end of the 10th century, Sigeric the Serious, Archbishop of Canterbury, used the via Francigena to travel to Rome (or more certainly to return from Rome) where he received his pallium from the Pope. He recorded his return journey, and the places where he stopped, in a document which is now held in the British Library, but nothing in it suggests that the route was new. His itinerary lists the seventy-nine submansiones, which define the via Francigena as we know it today.

Archbishop Sigeric’s Pilgrimage to Rome in 990 – Veronica Ortenberg

St Thierry, known as William of St Thierry, used the roads towards Rome on several occasions at the end of the 11th century. Other itineraries include those of the Icelandic traveller Nikolás Bergsson in 1154 and Philip Augustus of France, who entered Italy via Moncenisio in 1191. Subsequent accounts also cite the pass over Montgenévre and through the Susa Valley as a route used by both pilgrims travelling to Rome (along what is now recognised as a branch of the via Francigena) and armies invading Italy. In the 12th century the increase in commercial relations between Italy and the Germanic areas led to a renewed use of the passes in the central and eastern Alps, like the St Gotthard and Brenner passes. Nevertheless, the via Francigena route described by Sigeric was still in frequent use, as evidenced in the journey of Barthelemy Bonis, a merchant of Montauban,who took part in the Jubilee of 1350, having survived the plague of 1348. Other documents also recordCharles VIII’s journey along the Via Francigena in 1494, as part of his armed descent on Naples.

The via Francigena facilitated all forms of exchange between communities, one of the clearest examples being in art and culture. How else can we explain the presence of an 8th century Scotic-Irish relic in the monastery of San Salvatore L’Amiata, or the vestment made from traditional Persiansamite (a luxurious and heavy silk fabric often including gold or silver thread) dating back to the Carolingian age? Or the Codex Amiatinus, an 8th century English Bible and the Vercelli Book, left there by a Scotic pilgrim in the 6th century.

Similarly, architects and builders were clearly open to the external influences brought in by the via Francigena. Tightly woven exchanges can be seen between the Lombard Romanesque style, or more generically that of the Po region and France. A prime example of this can be found in the work of Nicolao, a sculptor who between 1120 and 1140 was working on the abbey of San Michele della Chiusa in Piacenza obviously inspired by the Wiligelmic tradition, but also by the art of the Aquitaine. In Tuscany, where French architectural styles are evident in buildings both along and near the via Francigena, the abbey church of Sant’Antimo is the only one to have a basilica plan, complete with the aisle and side chapels typical of the great pilgrimage churches in France and Santiago de Compostela.

This 1988 paper by Paul von Caucci Saucken provides more information on the relationship between the via Francigena and routes to Santiago pdf

In line with the renaissance of the pilgrim experience, precipitated by the St James Way, the via Francigena is also being rediscovered. Since receiviAEVFsmallng its title of European Cultural Route in 1994, significant funds have been dedicated first by the Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, and subsequently by the Italian Ministry of Culture for the signing of an official route in Italy.

IMG_0188In 2007, the 0km foundation stone was laid in the forecourt of Canterbury Cathedral and since then pilgrim numbers have increased year on year.

In spite of these ongoing changes – better and more frequent signs, cheaper and more numerous hostels – which certainly make the route an easier one to follow, the Via Francigena is not the St James Way, and perhaps not everyone wants it to be. For some, the Camino experience is the perfect introduction, offering support, companionship and a relatively safe (apart from the busy roads) environment to walk in. The via Francigena can be a harder and perhaps more authentic alternative where pilgrims must expect to rely on their own resources, but as a consequence will also benefit a great deal more from their interactions with local people and a greater sense of achievement.
Similarly, architectural and cultural highlights are well identified and frequented along the St James Way, but this does not mean that there are any less along the Via Francigena. Far from it, pilgrims just have to be prepared to spend a little more time in finding them.
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In Great Britain the route follows the North Downs Way from Canterbury to Dover. You will find a number of via Francigena signs on the route.

GRVF
In France a “grand randonée” route(GR145) is progressively being developed by melding existing GR pathways that roughly parallel the ancient route.

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In Switzerland there is a well signposted route “Swissmobility walking route 70”. However, this is based on a misinterpretation of the route of Sigeric and makes large diversions from the probable historic route.

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In Italy there has been substantial investment in signposting throughout the route with efforts to find safe pathways as close as possible to the historic route and with an ongoing program of improvement to infrastructure to offer minimum distance and greatest authenticity subject to the demands of safety.

The modern via Francigena route in the map above is the result of our most recent surveys and generally follows the signposted routes. The Lightfoot Guides add greater detail and propose a large number of alternatives to improve authenticity and reduce overall distance.

The LightFoot Guide to the via Francigena – Canterbury to The Great Saint Bernard Pass – 9th Edition
The 9th Edition of the Lightfoot Guide to the via Francigena describes the official route from  the summit of the Great Saint Bernard Pass to Saint Peter’s Square – Rome. With the very latest trail and accommodation information the book will lead you safely through this challenging journey.

In addition to the detailed descriptions of 48 stages covering the 1239 kilometres of the official route, the guide also provides dozens of alternatives allowing you to reduce your walking distance, follow more closely the historic route or enjoy more of the dramatic Apennine landscape. Accommodation is listed along the entire route with a full range of prices and types.

You will have the freedom to make the journey your way.

The guide is available in full colour, initially as an interactive eBook with active links to your smart phone apps.

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The LightFoot Guide to the via Francigena – The Great Saint Bernard Pass to Saint Peter’s Square – 9th Edition

The 9th Edition of the Lightfoot Guide to the via Francigena describes the official route from  the summit of the Great Saint Bernard Pass to Saint Peter’s Square – Rome. With the very latest trail and accommodation information the book … Read More

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The LightFoot Companion to the via Francigena Canterbury to the Great Saint Bernard Pass

The Lightfoot Companion is an optional addition to the Lightfoot Guide and presents information on the key points of cultural interest along the length of the route. Written by Babette Gallard Full colour; 98 pages; 216 x 140 mm   … Read More

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The LightFoot Companion to the via Francigena Italy: Great Saint Bernard Pass to St Peter’s Square, Rome

The Lightfoot Companion is an optional addition to the Lightfoot Guide and presents information on the key points of cultural interest along the length of the route. Written by Babette Gallard Full colour; 150 pages; 216 x 140 mm   … Read More

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Sigeric’s Bike – Touring Cyclists Guide to the via Francigena

Sigeric’s Bike – the Touring Cyclist’s Guide to the via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome, comprises 24 stages covering 1901km. The route leads from the seat of the christian church in England and also one of the first Roman settlements … Read More

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Lightfoot Guide to Foraging – Wild Foods by the Wayside
“Nowadays if I look at a meadow I think lunch.” A guide to over 130 of the most common edible and medicinal plants in Western Europe, aimed at the long-distance or casual hiker along the main pilgrim routes through Western Europe. The author has had some 40 years of experience in foraging and though a Dutchman by birth, has been at home all over Europe including Germany, Ireland, England and for the last 8 years in Italy along the Via Francigena pilgrim route, where he feeds his family as a subsistence farmer, cultivating a small piece of Ligurian hillside along permaculture principles, and by gathering food from the wild.
Written by Heiko Vermeulen – first published in February 2012.
Full colour; 144 pages;216 x 140 mm;176gm

 

 

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This route of 1900km has been designed for touring bikes.  A full guide is available as an extension to the Locus Map Android app.

As you will see the route follows much more closely the route of Sigeric and where practical passes close to each submansion.

Click here to download the GPS track

The map below shows the extension of the bike route from Rome to Brindisi – perhaps one of the many routes used by pilgrim’s continuing their journey towards Jerusalem and today known as the via Francigena della Sud. The route was kindly provided by Massimo Mazzone.

Click here to download the GPS track