We have been informed that in the municipality of Linarolo, due to road works on the provincial road 13, which will start on Tuesday 26th April 2022 and will last until 14th June 2022 (as per order of the Province of Pavia), the passage of pilgrims travelling along this stretch of the Via Francigena will also be prohibited.
In the image below you can find indications of a possible detour (in pink) through some sand roads that could be used as an alternative to the official route in order to overcome the interruption caused by the works.
Every pilgrim has a personal amulet. Some bring it from home, some find it along the way. An object of symbolic value, a good luck charm, a souvenir, or a mascot that accompanies us. What really matters is the meaning that will be forever associated with it, and with the experience of the journey.
From this realm of memories and evocations comes the work of Mirko and Silvia, two artisans, architects and passionate pilgrims who dedicate themselves to the creation of personalised souvenirs, mainly made in wood or ceramics, specifically dedicated to pilgrims travelling along the Via Francigena.
Together they founded the Artio Design workshop in Aosta, becoming theofficial designer of the Via Francigena in 2020, offering objects made with natural materials which you can carry during your pilgrimage. Water bottles, key rings and wooden pins to hang on your backpack, leather bracelets, ceramic or stone necklaces, and much more: Artio Design also produces custom-made stamps and stickers, as well as shapes and signs in the style of a ‘medieval shop’ that tag places where you can receive a stamp on your credential. Each product can be 100% personalised with details, texts and images that make it unique and unrepeatable, just like each person’s experience along the way. We are delighted to renew our collaboration with this important company for 2022!
“Our aim is to provide pilgrims with a product adapted to their needs for lightness, compactness and recognition, and to offer retailers exclusive articles that will identify and enhance them on the Way“, reads the official website.
On Wednesday 27 April 2022, members of the European Association of Via Francigena ways (EAVF) will meet in Canterbury (Kent County, England), km 0 of the Via Francigena.
For the first time in the history of the EAVF, founded in 2001 in Fidenza (Italy), the assembly will be hosted in England, in Canterbury, inside the prestigious Cathedral Lodge. The event is hosted by the Canterbury City Council and organized with the collaboration of the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome and North Downs Way. It will be attended by representatives of municipalities, provinces, departments and regions from the four countries crossed by the Via, as well as numerous associations of walkers and volunteers.
On the agenda there are some very important bulletpoints: the approval of budget and reporting of the last activities carried out; updates on the candidacy process of the Via Francigena as Unesco World Heritage; the renewal of the association’s office charges. A preview of the final docufilm about last year’s epic journey “Via Francigena. Road to Rome 2021. Start again!“, which celebrated the 20th anniversary of the EAVF, will be presented. The initiave was long relay race that lasted 127 days and was 3,200 km long, networking 658 municipalities and consolidating unity between peoples and cultures along the Via Francigena.
Important cultural events will take place alongside the assembly. On the afternoon of the 26th, a religious celebration is planned at the Cathedral in the presence of a group of pilgrims from the Confraternity Pilgrims to Rome, led by President Giancarlo Laurenzi. These pilgrims will walk the historical London-Canterbury trail and arrive the day before the Assembly to meet EAVF’s representatives. All participants will then visit Canterbury’s Cathedral. The pilgrim’s stick will be blessed in the crypt; a stick made by the Irish craftsman Michael Walsh that accompanied the group of walkers during the entire Road to Rome march last summer. On the morning of 27 April, there will be a guided tour of the old city centre, whereas on the 28th a 10 km walk is organised along the Canterbury-Dover stretch. Such a walk will allow the group to explore the first section of the route, well maintained and signposted by North Downs Way. EAVF’s staff will walk the entire 32 km of the first stage with the same pilgrim’s staff, to symbolically close the relay which started last 17 June from Calais.
Slowness, the pleasure of the journey, the possibility to enjoy the moment without rushing to the arrival: this is the essence of slow tourism. Some move by foot, some by bike, some on horseback…and some by train.
With no doubt, the train too is considered an option for slow and sustainable mobility. Slow not because it covers a small number of km per hour, but because it allows to sit back, relax and enjoy the view from the window. Slow because aboard the train there is no need to worry about traffic or parking – we can simply surrender to the journey, waiting to reach the destination.
Think of those moments when you look out of the train window and daydream – that’s where the magic begins: on the train we do not only move physically, but we live a real experiential journey with and for ourselves – sometimes alone, sometimes with the people we love, sometimes with the new people we meet on the carriage.
For all these reasons, and many more, the European Association of Via Francigena waysbelieves the train is a perfect means to get closer to the Via Francigena, reaching our starting point to cover part of the itinerary, enjoy a daily walk, or even take some personal time to experience the landscape along the route, for those who are unable to travel along it.
Therefore, Trenord, one of the most important European railway managers for localised public mobility, which extensively serves Region Lombardia (Italy), enters the network of partners of the EAVF.
The Association shares indeed a common mission with the company, connected to responsible, sustainable, slow, ecological and proximity tourism.
Starting today, connecting to the Francigena itinerary in Lombardia is easier and easier: in the coming months we will give you all information through our social media channels, updating you about improved railway connections along the route: stay tuned!
The project CON-TATTO, organised by Rotary 2031 and Asl Città di Torino, saw 12 pilgrims affected by autism overcome a great challenge: to walk to Rome and meet the Pope. The project tackles several themes: the sportive and healthy features of walking, the scientific research conducted by Dr Keller applying the social skill training that is usually done in clinics in an itinerant and ever-changing context, and the story of the Via Francigena, highlighting its history, the visited places and the beautiful landscapes.
The story is presented in the docufilm “Sul Sentiero Blu”, directed by Gabriele Vacis and produced by Michele Fornasero‘s Indyca, and it was shown in major Italian cinemas at the end of February. The filmmakers became part of the team to develop a film in which the public can at the same time raise awareness about autism and enjoy the enchanting landscapes of the Via Francigena.
‘Experiencing this walk by looking at the world through the eyes of our fellows – I think this was the greatest emotion of the journey. I wasn’t walking for myself, but for them. The other leaders and I dedicated our entire walk to them: seeing them grow and gain their own personal victories is a truly unparalleled success‘ commented Luca Rivoira,one of the volunteers who accompanied the group on foot.
“While some people worry about what can change for the worse, we think it’s time to ask what can change for the better: let’s unite and act for the planet”, we read on Zurich’s official website. The Company, a leader in the insurance market, sheds light on the great impacts its investment choices have on global sustainability. Operating in a cross-industry sector that moves large amounts of cash from one market to another, every investment decision has a major impact on the path towards sustainable development.
Hence, among the many sectors in which it invests, Zurich has also chosen to support responsible tourism, becoming an official partner of the European Association of Via Francigena ways (EAVF) due to the strong affinity of their respective values. The partnership aims to develop sustainable tourism, with a particular focus on the Southern-Centre Aggregation area of the Via Francigena in the Region of Tuscany. Embarking on the Via Francigena is first of all an experience of sharing, exchange and solidarity for those who have chosen to set out, and Zurich wants to ideally accompany them along this territory.
Zurich’s attention for this area of Tuscany, which follows the Via Francigena trail from Fucecchio and Santa Croce sull’Arno to Gambassi Terme, has led to the creation of useful tools for pilgrims and activities to promote the Via Francigena, encouraging environmental education, sustainable tourism and improving the route’s practicability through renovated signage.
Giovanni Giuliani, Managing Director of Zurich Italia, commented the initiative as follows: “We support responsible and conscious tourism because we believe it is the best way to accompany travellers along a slow journey to the discovery of the uniqueness and wonders of our country. We share important values with the EAVF, such as commitment, passion, determination in achieving goals, even when the journey doesn’t look easy”.
We are therefore excited to announce that during 2022, through our social media channels, we will inform you about new important activities and projects undertaken with the support of this great stakeholder!
The Agenzia del Demanio has put on the market a selection of buildings located along historical-religious itineraries, cycle paths and near the Italian coast, through a series of calls for tenders. The winners will receive the buildings in concession with the objective of enhancing and adding value to local slow tourism realms.
The initiative wants to enhance Italian heritage connected to culture, tourism and soft mobility along the entire peninsula, encouraging social and cultural animation activities in these territories and promoting the availability of services supporting slow tourism.
Among the offered assets is one building located along the Via Francigena in the South, in Terracina (region of Lazio). It is the Ex Dogana Torre di Badino, a historic building dating back to 1610, designed as part of the Papal State’s defence system, from Circeo to Terracina, and commissioned by Pope Pius V in 1567. The port of Badino, which the building overlooks, offers many services related to recreative boating. The Badino canal also provides easy access to the Pontine Islands, Ischia, Capri and Procida!
This stunning seaside town, as well as offering several opportunities for water sports (sailing, kitesurfing, diving and fishing), has a Beach Arena where several national and international competitions take place, while the seafront is entirely crossed by a cycling path. Note that Terracina is not only crossed by the Via Francigena, but also by the Via Appia and the Ciclopista del Sole, making it an important crossroads for pilgrims, walkers and cyclists.
The call for tenders is currently open and there is time until 19 May 2022 to participate!
Despite the difficulties given by the pandemic, once again this year ASD IRIDE in Rivoli is organising a Marathon along the Via Francigena which touches upon the most characteristic points of interest in the Susa Valley.
This non-competitive walk, for its 4th edition, will take place on Sunday 19 June 2022 with departure from Avigliana, medieval city known as ‘city of the two lakes’, followed by the passage at the Sacra di San Michele and arrival in the city center of Susa, both ‘Orange Flag’ locations classified by the Italian Touring Club.
Subscriptions, which opened at the end of January, already count 1500 participants. The closing of subscriptions, on the other hand, is expected for 1 June 2022 – or once the available 3000 subscriptions are sold out. During the last editions, 3000 subscriptions were reached as soon as 3 weeks after the launch of the event, therefore we highly recommend subscribing as soon as possible!
This year there are two available routes: with and without the passage at the Sacra di San Michele. There are also 3 available itineraries: 1) from the point of departure to the Sacra di San Michele 10 km (Family Marathon); 2) up to the Villarfocchiardo 21 km (Half Marathon); 3) the full marathon up to Susa, walking for 44 km. Similarly to last years, it is possible to select the Easy option without reaching the Sacra di San Michele, and reserve a shuttle service for your return.
The marathon #FMV2022 is open to everyone and must rigorously be walked, without running, to taste the beauty of this itinerary at its best.
The trail will be controlled by the Civil Protection public service and by the many Associations involved in the organisation. Local Police, law enforcement officers and the local Pro Loco will check the passage through towns. Volunteers will surveil the route, support participants and arrange resting and restoration spots located along the entire itinerary.
In the above website you can also find the rules and details regarding the individual awards, transports, restorations, assistance, options for hotel bookings, etc.
Asd Iride also has other activities planned for this spring! First of all, the 4th gathering of ‘walkers of the two lakes’, which will take place in Avigliana on 24 April 2022, and following, on 8 May 2022, they will participate in the 16th stage of the ‘Giro d’Italia Plogging 2022’, in the municipalities of Avigliana, Grugliasco, Rivoli and Settimo.
For more information:
ASD IRIDE from Rivoli: mail info@viafrancigenamarathonvaldisusa.it
On 18 February 2022, the new edition of Italian magazine ‘Viaggi e Cammini’, published by Sprea Editori, will be available in national news-stands. The magazine focuses entirely on walking trips and pilgrimages, with a broad selection of trails described in each edition.
This number contains an article dedicated to thermal heritage along the Via Francigena, object of studies of the European project ‘rurAllure’. The EAVF is one of the principal collaborating partners of this project. Indeed, the EAVF’s team which is working on the project has prepared the article together with partners from the universities of Madrid and Venice. Such international project aims precisely to shed light and enhance historical heritage bordering the main European routes, including, with particular focus, thermal heritage along the 3 key itineraries that lead to Rome (i.e., Via Romea Strata, Via Romea Germanica and Via Francigena).
Not everybody knows how many thermal sites exist along the Via Francigena route in Italy – some of which are freely accessible, others upon payment. These sites are not only great stops along your journey, but they also have an immense historical and cultural value and attraction, as the Etruscans and ancient Romans themselves used to love visiting them.
Discover them all in the magazine, which can be purchased in all Italian news-stands. Otherwise, it is possible to order a copy by clicking here.
Through the decree n. 2016 of 8 February 2022 by the Italian Minister of Tourism Massimo Garavaglia, two new expert members were nominated for the Italian National Tourism Promotion Committee. The new members are Luca Bruschi (1978), graduate in Conservation of Cultural Heritage and today Director of the European Association of Via Francigena ways (EAVF), and Angelofabio Attolico (1983), with a PhD in Archaeology, now technical manager of the Via Francigena in the South.
