Author: Redazione AEVF

Santanchè returns to the Via Francigena after the G7 Tourism summit, aiming to promote the route in preparation for the Jubilee of 2025.

An entire day was dedicated to walking the Tuscan section of the Via Francigena, from Pietrasanta to Camaiore, culminating in a visit and lunch at the beautiful pilgrims hostel “Ostello di Camaiore”. The Italian Minister for Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, retraced a section of the European Via Francigena route on foot. She had previously walked parts of the trail in spring last year with the European Association of Via Francigena Ways (EAVF), between San Miniato and San Gimignano.

Her participation in this walk was announced during the G7 Tourism summit held in Florence from 13–15 November, which also included a guided tour of the Castle and Monumental Complex of Abbadia Isola in Monteriggioni, as well as a visit to the Archaeological Museum.

With the aim of further familiarising herself with the route and enhancing its international profile, while showcasing its cultural and historical heritage, the Minister kept her promise last Saturday, 16 November. She walked from Pietrasanta to Valpromaro, accompanied by environmental guide Andrea Lombardi from Feder.Cammini.

A warm welcome awaited her at two hostels, in Camaiore and Valpromaro, both key stops for travellers from all over the world.

“There is a heritage along the Via Francigena that must be protected and can become a cornerstone of Italian tourism, comparable to the Camino de Santiago in Compostela. The Ministry believes in this and is investing resources”, Santanchè stated at the end of the walk.

Photo credits: Ministero del Turismo

After having organised two weekends of hikes and workshops along the Via Francigena in Apulia for the European project HIKE, the team of the European Association of the Via Francigena (EAVF) took part in the project partners’ activities in Greece and Türkiye. These events represented an important opportunity for exchange of best practices among the route managers and promotion of healthy lifestyles through outdoor activities and sustainable tourism.

In October, the activities were focused on the Via Egnatia. This historic road crosses the Balkan region and played a significant role in antiquity as a communication route between Western and Eastern Europe. Together with the project partners Paths of Greece, EAVF explored several stages of the path near Edessa, known for its waterfalls and natural beauty as well as attended the workshop on safety on a hike.

 The November events In Türkiye focused on outdoor activities and networking, offering EAVF the chance to meet representatives of the local authorities and local associations in change of the Tolerance Way,  creating synergies between the Via Francigena and other culturally significant routes, while sharing expertise in governance and sustainability. Organised by the Culture Routes Society, participants walked along the Tolerance way, a route located in the Kocaeli region connecting the cities of Izmit and Iznik in north-western Türkiye. This route is known for its goal of promoting peaceful coexistence among different ethnic and religious communities, uniting the historical and cultural diversity of the area.

The final event in Izmit marked the conclusion of the active phase of the HIKE project, offering walking enthusiasts and local residents the opportunity to explore walking routes in Italy, Greece, and Türkiye, showcasing how walking can enhance physical, mental, and psychological well-being. The partners had the chance to exchange best practices, gain hands-on experience in managing various routes, and contribute to an academic study on the health benefits of walking.

Pictures courtesy: www.cultureroutesinturkey.com – www.pathsofgreece.gr – @mogli_intecity – @travelstoriesfromyworld – @kokladunyayi – @trailofus

On 1 November 2024, Via Francigena joins a DETOUR project – short for “Development of resilient tourism ecosystems along Mediterranean walking routes” together with seven international partners under the leadership of the municipality of Fidenza.  

This project, financed by the European Union in the framework of the COSME programme, facilitates access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) along some of Europe’s most scenic rural walking routes including the Via Francigena in Italy, Lycian way in Turkey, Sultan’s train in Bulgaria and a network of mountainous routes in Greece.  

DETOUR in Italy will focus on empowering SMEs along the Via Francigena in the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions along the stretch from Pavia to Berceto. This pilot area will benefit from targeted training sessions to increase digital skills, promote alternative resources and foster business sustainability. The SMEs operating along the Via Francigena in this area will receive mentoring and access to innovation funding opportunities for the projects focused on renewable energy installations, enhanced web presence, and unique tourism packages, bringing lasting economic and environmental benefits to the region.  

As a project coordinator and EAVF founding member, Fidenza will host the final conference of the project, underscoring its dedication to fostering tourism that respects and revitalizes local landscapes, cultures, and economies. 

With a budget of 2 million euros and a duration of three years, DETOUR represents a significant commitment to advancing sustainable tourism along European historic pilgrimage routes. 

Organised by the EAVF and Grand Besançon Métropole, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of France, a crossroads of Cultural Routes will take place on 25 November 2024. The Cultural Routes programme was set up by the Council of Europe in 1987 with the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim’s Way, and currently includes 48 certified routes. The Via Francigena was certified in 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. In France, the French Federation of European Cultural Routes (Fédération Française des Itinéraires Culturels Européens, FFICE), which was set up in 2010 and re-founded in 2022, brings together certified routes and non-certified routes that are currently applying to set up projects with the support of the Ministry of Culture to promote these routes in France.

In 2024, several routes were once again able to obtain a grant to organise events at ‘crossroads’, strategic points where several routes intersect, in order to showcase the sites and partners, organise events for the general public and increase synergies.

The Via Francigena, which is a member of the FFICE, has received support from the World Heritage Mission to organise, as part of the 30^th anniversary of its certification, an event in Besançon on 25 November 2024, in which 8 Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe will take part.

The aim is to continue working in favour of a structured and dynamic network at regional level, to raise awareness among local players and professionals, to encourage this dynamic between French and European players, and to raise awareness among all citizens of our common European heritage and shared European values.

Check out the programme! (available in French)

Fill in the form to register

After three months, on September 21st, 2024, the first edition of the “Francigena Photo Contest 2024” officially concluded. A sister initiative of the “Share your route!” photo contest, organized by EAVF in 2022 and 2023 as part of the European rurAllure project, the 2024 edition of the contest was promoted by Via Francigena Suisse in collaboration with EAVF.

Pilgrims walking the route competed through photographs and reels, helping to promote the beauty of the Via Francigena and the experience of pilgrimage.

Once again, the prize pool was rich this year thanks to the collaboration with EAVF’s partners: the first-place winners in each of the four categories will receive a Ferrino backpack, a Ferrino tent, a pair of Garmont shoes, and a CAMCO clothing item, respectively.

Additionally, due to the high number of photos and videos received, the jury decided to award second and third place in each category with a Francigena-themed surprise.

Here are the names of the winners and the awarded entries

Category “most beautiful Photo”

• 1st place: @estherhodgesleclaire
• 2nd place: @_silvio_russo_ph
• 3rd place: @gionalx

Category “most beautiful reel/video”

• 1st place: @beatrice.claroni
• 2nd place: @gabrydellanna
• 3rd place: @Ennio Cherubini

category “most captivating anecdote/story”

• 1st place: @simonedesio
• 2nd place: @mamie__etsasherpa
• 3rd place: @fontanafoto

category “funniest content”

• 1st place: @gi.va_lighteye_68
• 2nd place: @wonder.intrek
• 3rd place: @matildeazzini

The enthusiastic participation and the hundreds of submissions we received are a great testament to the significance of this route, and we can only express our gratitude to those who travel it each year on foot or by bicycle.

Congratulations to all the participants, and a big thank you to our partners. See you next year!

Over 130 participants took part in the EAVF General Assembly, held in Monte Sant’Angelo on Friday 18 October. The participation of members, friends and partners from Italy, England, France and Switzerland – the four countries crossed by the Francigena, was very heartfelt. The event was hosted by the municipality of Monte Sant’Angelo with contribution of the Apulia Region in collaboration with the Monte Sant’Angelo Francigena Association and Italea Puglia.

The AEVF Assembly returned to Apulia 5 years after its historic meeting in Bari, which approved the extension of the Via Francigena from Rome to Santa Maria di Leuca on 18 October 2019. 

The institutional greetings were given by the Mayor of Monte Sant’Angelo Pierpaolo D’Arienzo, the Director of the Tourism Department of the Apulia Region Aldo Patruno and the EAVF President Francesco Ferrari, who chaired the meeting. The President of the Apulia Region Michele Emiliano also greeted the participants via teleconference.

The new EAVF member – the municipality of Nicorvo (Lombardy) and the friend association of Stornara (Apulia) were warmly welcomed to the Francigena family, making it 244 full members and 94 friends association.

The Assembly also celebrated the winners of the Via Francigena Best Practice 2023, awarding the “Frangiscotto della Via Francigena” by Via Francigena Canosa di Puglia association, Conference on Slow Tourism and the Via Francigena by the municipality of Pavia, project “Francigena for All” by the Piedmont region.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the unanimous approval of the Francigena Britannica, the historic pedestrian route of 150 km connecting London and Canterbury, zero km of the Via Francigena. This itinerary was developed and presented by the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome, EAVF friend association, strongly supported by EAVF and the Canterbury administration.

An update on the Via Francigena candidacy as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was given by the Councillor of the Tuscany Region Francesco Gazzetti.

A special session was dedicated to the exchange of best practices along the entire route, with the spotlight on Apulia and its recent inauguration of the touristic and directional signposting in the framework of the project Asset.

The EAVF projects which received the European Union funds were presented to the members:  “HIKE  – Hiking for Healthier Lifestyle”  in the framework of the Erasmus Sport programme and “Detour – Development of resilient tourism ecosystems along the Mediterranean walking routes” by COSME programme. The projects, conducted with international partners from Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria connect Francigena with the rest of Europe. 

Then the meeting on cultural routes in France was presented –  to be held in Besançon on 25 November, it received support from the French Ministry of Culture.

The Association Swiss Via Francigena also showcased its several ongoing activities.

Finally, the 2025 tourist promotion project on the Via Francigena, supported by the Italian Ministry of Tourism and the Lazio region, was shared with the members.

On the day of the assembly, two important events took place: the inauguration of the official signposting realised with the contribution of the Apulia Region, and the meeting of the volunteer associations along the Via Francigena in the South.

The rich cultural programme was organized by the municipality of Monte Sant’Angelo, offering concerts, exhibitions, guided tours and convivial moments. On 19 October the members took part in a short walk along the Via Francigena animated by Italea Puglia and inspired by HIKE project.

The EAVF assembly provided a great opportunity for exchange and discussion, as well as for development of collaborations between administrations and associations in the various countries involved.

At the beginning of the assembly, a moment of remembrance was dedicated to the late president Massimo Tedeschi, who founded the EAVF 23 years ago. The whole Via Francigena family will continue his work to further develop the European network of dialogue and cooperation.

Our Association is excited to announce a new international collaboration that will make all walking enthusiasts happy. Those who love walking know how essential it is to take care of their feet: they are our most precious tool and require special attention to ensure a pleasant experience without unexpected events. 

One of the most common annoyances that can compromise a walk, whether short or long, are the much-feared blisters. These form mainly due to prolonged friction between the skin and an external object, such as shoes or socks. When there is constant rubbing, the outer layer of the skin separates from the inner layer, creating a space that fills with a serous liquid or, in some cases, blood. This process is a natural defense of the body to protect damaged skin. 

There are numerous remedies after the damage is done, but how can we prevent blisters and avoid these annoying guests ruining our walk? 

Camminare Comodi offers an effective solution based on the preventive use of soothing sheep’s wool. When applied before a hike, they help prevent blisters, providing comfort and protection throughout the hike. 

Using Hikers wool offers numerous benefits, especially in reducing friction, as sheep’s wool creates a soft, protective layer between the skin and the shoe, preventing constant rubbing while walking. Thanks to its natural breathability, wool also absorbs moisture, keeping feet cool and dry all day long. In addition, sheep’s wool is soft and comfortable, providing natural cushioning with soothing properties that protect sensitive areas of the foot and relieve pain in areas that are already irritated or subject to pressure. Sheep’s wool has natural antibacterial qualities, thanks to lanolin, a waxy substance that helps prevent skin infections caused by blisters or irritation; in addition, wool is an insulating material that helps keep feet cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. This thermal balance is particularly useful for walkers and hikers, who face different climatic conditions.

Last but not least, it is a natural and ecological material, ideal for those who want to reduce the use of synthetic products, and which also embraces our choice to rely on partners who care about sustainability. Camminare Comodi stands out for its strong ethical and sustainable values. The company has chosen to pay a fair price to Dutch farmers with whom it has built direct relationships to guarantee the origin of the wool, also offering an organic version of the product. In addition, the wool is packaged by people with difficulty accessing work, thus promoting social inclusion and contributing to a more sustainable future. 

With this collaboration, we want to improve the experience of those who share our passion for walking, providing useful tools to fully enjoy every step, without painful interruptions. 

If you have questions or would like more information, visit the Camminare Comodi website for more details or send them a message. They will be happy to help you find the ideal solution for your needs. 

The meeting takes place within an international three-day programme full of events, meetings, and a walk along the Via Francigena.

The autumn EAVF General Assembly will gather on 18th October in the Apulian town of Monte Sant’Angelo, in the province of Foggia, at the “Ciro Angelillis” Municipal Library Conference Hall, with the presence of institutional representatives and associations from England, France, Switzerland, and Italy.

Monte Sant’Angelo, known as the City of the two UNESCO sites, has been designated the 2024 Capital of Culture for Puglia. It is a significant pilgrimage destination linked to the cult of the Archangel Michael and an important stop on the Via Francigena, which in this section of the Gargano region crosses the territory in five stages, passing through Troia, Lucera, San Severo, Stignano, and San Giovanni Rotondo before reaching its destination in Monte Sant’Angelo.

The EAVF assembly returns to Puglia exactly five years later. In fact, it was on 18th October 2019 that the Via Francigena family gathered in Bari to vote on the historic decision to extend the Via Francigena in Southern Italy by 900 km, from Rome to Monte Sant’Angelo, Brindisi, and Santa Maria di Leuca, passing through Lazio, Campania, and Puglia.

The programme for the three days in October (17th, 18th, and 19th October), in addition to the assembly, includes a guided tour in the three languages of the participants, the concert “The Power of Music” by Franco Godono, and a walk along the Via Francigena. The assembly will address important agenda items, such as the extension of the ‘Francigena Britannica’ route from London to Canterbury, an update on the UNESCO dossier, sharing of projects in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee, and the presentation of international cooperation projects that EAVF is working on. There will also be a moment of remembrance for the late president Massimo Tedeschi, who passed away last June.

2024 is undoubtedly confirmed as the year of Puglia for the Via Francigena, a region investing a great deal of energy and resources into developing the Via Francigena in Southern Italy at cultural, tourist, and, most importantly, infrastructural levels regarding trails, signage, and hospitality. Puglia gained international attention from 4th to 7th June during the Training Academy on cultural itineraries hosted in Brindisi, organised by EAVF, with the support of the region, the municipality, and the Brindisi and Ancient Roads Association. Finally, Puglia hosted in September the Via Francigena walks and animation days between Bari and Brindisi, as part of the European Erasmus HIKE project in which EAVF is participating.

The assembly and events in Monte Sant’Angelo, which are open to all, are organised with the contribution of the Region and the Municipality. On 19 October morning, an ‘animated sung walk’ (“camminata animata cantata”) along a stretch of the Via Francigena is scheduled, organised by Italea Puglia in partnership with EAVF and the ‘Monte Sant’Angelo Francigena’ association.

The ‘camminata cantata’ is a format proposing an experience in contact with nature and stories made in Puglia. The ‘camminata cantata’ meets the memories of wayfarers and pilgrims, and with them peasants, shepherds, woodcutters who, for work and necessity, have travelled through these places over the centuries. Animating the musical incursions will be the group of Gargano singers led by musician, singer and researcher Pio Gravina. A convivial aperitif will close the experience.

On 29 September the EU project HIKE concluded its events in Italy along the Via Francigena in Southern Italy, the 900 km stretch of the route connecting Rome with Santa Maria di Leuca.

On 27 – 29 September over 160 participants took place in a 3-day celebration, which included walking, e-biking, various sports and cultural activities, as well as route maintenance and environmental actions. The warm weather allowed participants to enjoy a refreshing swim in the beautiful natural reserve of Torre Guaceto, after visiting the WWF ethical beach reserve that protects turtles and animals in distress. 

The activities, organized by the European Association of the Via Francigena (EAVF) in collaboration with the Puglia Region, partner municipalities, and the Association “Brindisi e le Antiche Strade”, aimed to promote healthy lifestyle and provide tools on how to stay fit thanks to walking along the routes. These events were conducted during the European Week of Sports, an EU-wide event focusing on health and benefits of sports.  

The events saw participation from international partners of the HIKE project – Paths of Greece and Culture Routes Society, coming from Greece and Turkey respectively, where the HIKE project will continue along the Via Egnatia and the Tolerance Way in October and November. 

On 29 September, HIKE collaborated with Plastic Free Brindisi for the Clean Up initiative, collectively cleaning the stretch between Punta del Serrone and Torre Punta Penne and raising awareness about plastic pollution and environmental care.  

On the same day was conducted a workshop focused on safety during the walks, featuring various experts with institutional greetings from the EAVF President Francesco Ferrari and Rosy Barretta, President of Brindisi e le Antiche Strade.  

The workshop provided participants with practical advice on choosing technical equipment by the environmental guide Claudio Focarazzo and Michael Bolognini, founder of the METHOD Wilderness Experience and Garmont ambassador; delved into psycho-physical preparation with Dr. Giampiero Sorace and Monica Fontanive. Travel blogger Anna Pernice shared her experience along the Via Francigena and Antonio Melcore about the hospitality along the route. Adriano Bolognese from the Mollare Mai association reflected on accessibility on the trail. 

For more information about upcoming HIKE events, please visit the HIKE website www.hike-project.eu.

To download photos from the second HIKE weekend, click here. 

Over 100 participants took part in the first HIKIng weekend in the Italian Province of Bari, Puglia on 12 – 15 September. Organized by the European Association of the Via Francigena in collaboration with the Puglia Region and partner municipalities, the events kicked in as part of the European Erasmus Sport project “HIKE”. 

The HIKE project embraces a holistic approach, combining walking, culture, and sports to offer participants a well-rounded experience. Over three days, hikers on the Southern Via Francigena journeyed from Bari to Monopoli, with each stage enriched by culture and sports. From practicing yoga on the seafront and exploration of the historical Angioino Castle offered by Visit Mola di Bari, the Pino Pascali Modern Art Foundation in Polignano, and the underground air-raid shelters in Monopoli, the experience merged physical activity with cultural discovery. The journey culminated in a unique boat experience aboard the MyWave catamaran, generously offered by InfoPoint Monopoli, showcasing how walking, culture, and sports can harmoniously blend to enhance both physical and mental well-being. 

The participants were also offered to measure their blood pressure and heart rate before and after the walks to assess their health status as well as understand a test of psycho-physical health.   

The series of events in Puglia began on 12 September with a workshop focused on physical preparation for hiking. Experts from various fields, including representatives from the region and the University of Bari gathered for two productive hours of open dialogue with the public. The discussions covered a range of topics such as signage, nutrition, technical gear, walking safety, and the impact of over-tourism, as well as the role of institutions in developing the route. 

On the first day, the group covered the stage from Bari to Mola di Bari, walking among ancient olive trees, vineyards, and the sound of the sea in the background, accompanied by the Via Francigena Canosa Association. The next stages were from Mola to Polignano a Mare on 14 September and from Polignano to Monopoli on 15 September. Alongside the AEVF staff, journalists, bloggers, and participants from Greece and the USA joined the walk, showing how the journey brings people together and creates cultural connections. 

Click here to download photographs and presentations of the workshops

At the end of each day, the large group was warmly welcomed by local authorities, who also expressed their commitment to taking greater care of the route, its signage, and hospitality. 

“Three wonderful days to introduce the Via Francigena to local communities, to walk together while having fun, to meet public administrations and associations. But also to support intercultural dialogue with the international partners of the HIKE project who will join us in Brindisi!” commented AEVF Director Luca Bruschi.  

The HIKE project returns to Puglia on 27 – 29 September to walk from Torre Canne (Fasano) to Brindisi. Limited spots are still available. For the full programme and bookings, click here.