Author: Redazione AEVF

The SGR Francigena APS association is pleased to announce the opening of a new hostel located in the historic heart of San Giovanni Rotondo, in the province of Foggia, along the Southern Francigena route that crosses Puglia. This space, designed exclusively for hikers and pilgrims traveling on foot, offers a unique opportunity to experience the Via Francigena in an authentic and charming setting.

The hostel is housed in one of the medieval towers on Corso Giacomo Matteotti 107, a place steeped in history and charm. Immersed in the historical atmosphere of San Giovanni Rotondo, the new hostel serves as a strategic point of rest for pilgrims traveling along the Via Francigena, providing a refreshing pause in the middle of their journey.

Designed with comfort and simplicity, the hostel features 10 beds in a shared dormitory. Pilgrims will have access to a bathroom and a kitchen where they can prepare meals and refresh after a long day of walking. While maintaining an essential structure, the hostel is tailored to meet the basic needs of travelers, fostering moments of rest and interaction among fellow walkers.

With a cost of only €15 per person, the hostel aims to be accessible to all pilgrims, maintaining a spirit of solidarity and hospitality. This affordable rate allows travelers to continue their journey without straining their budget, offering quality service at a favorable price.

Reservations and Information

To reserve a bed, booking requests must be submitted through an online form, available at the following link: Hostel Torre Francigena Booking Form.

The SGR Francigena APS association is thrilled to offer this new accommodation point for pilgrims and to contribute to the revitalization of the Via Francigena as a path of faith, culture, and journey.

An initiative organised by the Association “Gruppo dei Dodici – ODV” to promote the southern section of the Via Francigena in Lazio. The 2024 edition will begin on the 16th of September from Teano and will end on the 2nd of October with the arrival in Rome, at St. Peter’s Basilica.

What is the “International Walk”?

It is a walk/pilgrimage aimed at pilgrims from other countries around the world. Organised annually, it covers approximately 281 km, passing through the symbolic locations of the Via Francigena in Southern Italy, highlighting its architectural, scenic, cultural, and spiritual beauty. As in previous editions, this year around 20 pilgrims from various parts of the world (USA, Taiwan, Denmark, and Spain) will participate. The group will be guided by the staff of the Association, who will accompany the pilgrims along the entire route, offering them all the necessary support.

The International Walk has been recognised as an initiative of high cultural and social value. Last year, it received international recognition, the CT AWARDS 2024 in Stuttgart, with the following motivation: “People and projects that see travel not just as an experience, but as a way of building bridges between different cultures and encouraging mutual tolerance.”

Objectives of the International Walk 2024

The event aims to best promote the beauty of the locations, the warmth of the people, the charm of archaeological sites, the artistic uniqueness, and the mystical places encountered along the Via Francigena in southern Lazio, all the way to St. Peter’s Basilica.

In this edition, as per tradition, we propose that the group of pilgrims meet the locals through the voice of their institutional representatives and local associations. In fact, 23 municipalities will be involved, two of which are in Campania and all the others in Lazio. These meetings take place through moments of welcome organised by the local administrations and associations, either upon the arrival or departure of each stage of the programme. In this way, by welcoming the walking pilgrims, it will be possible to highlight how hospitality underscores the bond that communities have with travellers passing through our beautiful localities.

As in previous years, the walk and the pilgrims’ experiences will be documented via the social media channels of Gruppo dei Dodici:

Facebook: @Gruppo dei Dodici
Instagram: @gruppodeidodici

For more information:
info@gruppodeidodici.eu
www.gruppodeidodici.eu

In preparation for the Jubilee of 2025, St Peter’s Basilica has introduced a welcome centre service for pilgrims arriving in Rome along the Roman roads.

Since May 2024, the Fabbrica di San Pietro has launched a volunteer project in collaboration with the Via Romea Strata and the Homo Viator Foundation – San Teobaldo, to train volunteers and welcome pilgrims arriving in Rome at the end of their pilgrimage. The volunteers support the Basilica staff and greet the wayfarers with great empathy and smiles, fostering an exchange of humanity and warmth.

At this welcome centre in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, pilgrims can collect the Testimonium, the certificate that certifies the completion of the pilgrimage to Rome devotionis causa. It is available to all those who have walked at least 100 km or cycled 200 km, as evidenced by the stamps on their credentials.

“We are truly proud of this agreement, as it allows us to support the organisation that represents and manages the reception of half of all the pilgrims arriving in Rome, regardless of the path each person takes,” says Aleksandra Grbic, coordinator of Romea Strata for the Homo Viator Foundation. “At the moment, we have 70 volunteers who have started their training and will be operational in a few days, but the door to volunteering is always open, and I encourage everyone to look into this opportunity with enthusiasm.”

In addition to the dedicated access route for pilgrims in St Peter’s Square, which is clearly marked with signs and totems, and the Pilgrim’s Mass, which is celebrated daily for them, a system has been set up to digitise and systematise the collection of arrival data and the issuance of the Testimonium certificate.

On Thursday, 29 August, a meeting took place at the Fabbrica di San Pietro in the Vatican between Mario Bosco, head of the welcome service, and Luca Bruschi, director of EAVF, to discuss the important implementation of services for pilgrims and to talk about upcoming activities in preparation for the Jubilee. The goal is to provide an ever more dedicated welcome to pilgrims arriving in Rome, whether on foot or by bicycle. The number of arrivals in 2024 has increased compared to the previous year, particularly with respect to international visitors.

The welcome centre is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 07:30 to 18:00, and on Wednesday from 13:00 to 18:00.

For enquiries and bookings, contact the relevant office:
Email: accoglienza@fsp.va.
Tel. +39 06 6982 (switchboard), ask for extension 82137
Mobile: +39 366 5775511

All information about volunteer opportunities is available at www.romeastrata.org.

The framework agreement between the two associations aims to make the Italian section of the Via Francigena increasingly accessible and inclusive, enhancing the historical, natural, and environmental aspects of the territories it crosses.

The European Association of the Via Francigena ways (EAVF) and the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) have signed a framework collaboration agreement to promote, enhance, and develop sustainable tourism and outdoor activities related to the Via Francigena.

Among the activities planned for the next three years are the maintenance and improvement of the routes, optimisation of signage and hiking information boards, revision of maps and cartography, and the organisation of events, seminars, and educational and training activities. Every project will be driven by the shared goal of making the Via Francigena increasingly accessible and inclusive, actively involving local communities and institutions at regional, national, and European levels.

Founded in Turin in 1863, CAI is a national association dedicated to promoting mountaineering and safeguarding the mountain environment, with a widespread presence across Italy. This mission finds a perfect complement in the broader European scope of the EAVF, which has been recognised as the réseau porteur of the Via Francigena by the Council of Europe since 2007, tasked with promoting and developing the cultural route that connects Canterbury to Santa Maria di Leuca.

“The Framework Agreement between the Italian Alpine Club and the European Association of the Via Francigena represents a significant milestone, the result of a long and fruitful dialogue between our organisations,” stated Francesco Ferrari, EAVF President. “I would like to thank the President and the leadership of CAI for their willingness and collaboration. This synergy will allow us to strengthen a relationship of cooperation and coordination, especially in the field of sustainable tourism and the promotion of the Via Francigena. In particular, being able to rely on CAI’s expertise and experience in the maintenance and preservation of routes is an enormous added value to ensure the safety and quality of the Italian section of the Via Francigena.”

“We are convinced that synergies between associations and institutions are essential for the protection of the landscape resources of the territories and for their historical-natural and tourism-environmental enhancement,” said Laura Colombo, Vice President of the Italian Alpine Club. “With the EAVF, we aim to develop a collaborative relationship that is not episodic, through which we can promote slow and sustainable tourism in the Italian territories crossed by the Via Francigena.”

Through this collaboration, the EAVF and CAI aim to strengthen the cultural, historical, and natural value of the Via Francigena, while ensuring an increasingly rich and safe experience for today’s and future walkers.

The General Assembly in Fidenza, held on 30 July in memory of our beloved President Massimo Tedeschi, saw the unanimous nomination of President Francesco Ferrari.

Please find below the President’s letter to the EAVF Members and Friends.

Since last April, EAVF has been a partner in the European HIKE project, aiming to promote healthy and sustainable lifestyles and to encourage hiking as a tool for well-being and personal development. The project organizes free cultural and sporting activities, open to all, over three months along the Via Francigena in Italy in September, the Via Egnatia in Greece in October, and the Tolerance way in Turkey in November (check the details here).

The HIKE-branded initiatives will kick off in September with a full schedule of walks and events along the Via Francigena in Southern Italy in Apulia, organized by EAVF in collaboration with the Apulia Region and the involved municipalities. Among the numerous activities, there are two workshops focused on physical preparation and safety during the walk, which are fundamental aspects for those approaching the world of slow tourism, whether on foot or by bike, and not only. Guides, experts in hiking and trekking, doctors, nutritionists, and travel bloggers will take turns in a series of meetings to offer practical advice and effective strategies for making the most of an outdoor activity lasting one or more days.

📌 Check the HIKE calendar in Apulia HERE

Two Moments of Discussion and Sharing

Specifically, the first weekend of walks in Apulia will see participants covering the stages connecting Bari to Monopoli, and will be inaugurated on Thursday, September 12 at 5 PM at the University of Bari (Sala del Consiglio del Dipartimento di Studi Classici di Bari Vecchia, Str. della Torretta 31, 70122 Bari) with a workshop dedicated to physical preparation for hikes. During the workshop, topics such as pre-hike training, the importance of endurance and muscle strength, and specific stretching techniques to prevent injuries will be discussed, while expert nutritionists will provide tips on how to eat before, during, and after physical activity, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet to maintain energy and focus during the walk.

The meetings will feature official greetings from representatives of the University of Bari, the host municipality, and the Region, with an introduction by Simona Spinola, EAVF’s communications manager and the HIKE project.

Speakers at the meeting include:

• Lorenzo Lozito, Environmental Guide
• Michael Bolognini, METHOD Wilderness Experience
• Rosa Grassi, Pilgrim and Host
• Dr. Domenico Meleleo, Nutritionist
• Nico Colucci, Travel Blogger @ilcamminodelcretino

The second weekend will see participants walking and cycling the stages of the Francigena that connect Torre Canne (Fasano) to Brindisi, where on Sunday, September 29, a workshop on safety during hikes will be held at the Conference Hall of the Accademia degli Erranti (Via Giovanni Tarantini, 35, 72100 Brindisi). Safety on the trail is another crucial topic, where trekking and hiking experts will share useful advice, from choosing the right equipment to understanding the terrain, covering orientation techniques and risk management, as well as tips on dealing with adverse weather conditions and emergency situations.

Speakers at the meeting include:

• Claudio Focarazzo, Environmental Guide
• Michael Bolognini, METHOD Wilderness Experience
• Dr. Monica Fontanavive, Wellness Coach, Association of Experts in Promoting Bicycle Mobility
• Dr. Giampiero Sorace, Sports Medicine Doctor
• Adriano Bolognese, Mollare Mai Association
• Antonio Melcore, Brindisi and Antiche Strade
• Anna Pernice, Travel Blogger @anna_pernice

Both meetings will be moderated by Angelofabio Attolico from the Apulia Region Tourism Department and introduced by Simona Spinola, EAVF’s communication manager for the HIKE project. The meetings will include official greetings from local authorities, institutions, and associations such as the University of Bari and the Brindisi Antiche Strade Association.

Participating in these workshops means embarking on a journey that goes beyond simply walking: it’s an opportunity for personal growth, enhancing one’s physical and mental well-being, and acquiring new skills. The integration of physical activity, learning, and cultural discovery makes the HIKE project a unique experience, capable of leaving a lasting impact on anyone who takes part.

These workshops not only prepare participants to experience hiking in a more conscious and safe way but also guide them on a path of overall well-being, where body and mind meet in harmony with nature.

📌 Check the workshop program HERE

📌 Sign up for HIKE walks and events by clicking HERE

Three England bishops walk part of the recently established pilgrimage and walking route which now links London directly to Rome.

On July 10^th Bishops from London, Southwark, and Dover joined the charity, Pilgrims to Rome, at the Scoop on the Southbank, which itself now forms part of the new route, to celebrate the launch of the recently established walking and pilgrimage route – the Francigena Britannica.

“I was delighted to join my fellow Bishops of London and Southwark to symbolise the important connection between our respective dioceses as part of the proposed Francigena Brittanica.  This extension of the well-established Via Francigena will give future pilgrims the opportunity to begin their passage in London, following in the steps of those who have journeyed through the ages to visit the shrine of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury. I pray that those travelling these historic pathways will be truly blessed and uplifted by their experience.”  

Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin

Bishops Sarah Mullaly, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, and Christopher Chessun showed their support for pilgrimage both within the UK but also beyond, by helping Pilgrims to Rome to celebrate this new walking route which now joins London to the Eternal City.

“It was great to join friends on just a small part of the new Francigena Britannica pilgrimage. I am overjoyed to see the Via Francigena extended, and can think of few better places to renew one’s connection with God and the natural world than from the lofty spires of Southwark Cathedral to the tranquil rolling hills of the North Downs Way. I offer my prayers for all who embark on this special journey.”

Bishop of London, Sarah Mullaly.

The Francigena Britannica is a 146km northern extension of the well-established, Council of Europe approved, Via Francigena, which already extends 2000kms from Canterbury to the Vatican City.  Within the UK, the Via Francigena will now cover 177kms crossing London, Dartford, Canterbury and Dover.

“In today’s busy and demanding times, pilgrimage – the act of slowing down, concentrating on the journey, rather than rushing to the destination – is more important than ever. It’s a great joy to mark the extension of the Francigena Britannica to London – and I hope that many will take up the opportunity to slow down and invite God into their journey.”

Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun

The Francigena Britannica was developed on behalf of Pilgrims to Rome, by its current President, G Carlo Laurenzi OBE with help from fellow trustees and other volunteers.

Press release and contacts

REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PILGRIMS’ PATHS: GREEN LIGHT FROM THE ROME CITY COUNCIL

Rome, 28 June 2024 – The Rome City Council has approved the redevelopment project for the Pilgrims’ Paths, included in the essential and urgent interventions programme for the Jubilee.

The Jubilee Society (Società Giubileo Spa) will implement a total investment of 3 million euros aimed at establishing an integrated network of the existing paths. The interventions will focus on the entrance routes to Rome of the Northern Via Francigena, the Path of Saint Francis, and the Southern Via Francigena, which will welcome many of the expected 30 to 35 million pilgrims arriving in the capital for 2025.

Ordinary and extraordinary maintenance works will be carried out on the current urban sections, addressing horizontal signage and signposting, identifying possible rest areas, refurbishing deterrents and various types of barriers along the paths and in parks. Additionally, streets will be upgraded, urban furniture will be renovated, pavements and trails in parks will be improved, including maintenance of greenery and hydrogeological measures (creating drainage systems). There will also be work on the panoramic route of the 5 km cycle path connecting Monte Mario and Valle Aurelia/Monte Ciocci, where construction has started recently on the section to St. Peter’s.

“We are working on cycle-pedestrian paths, new furnishings, maintenance of trails and park greenery to upgrade and enhance the network of spiritual paths leading to Rome,” explained Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. “Enchanting atmospheres, breathtaking landscapes, and high-quality services will welcome the many people who wish to reach St. Peter’s and the city on foot or by bicycle for the next Jubilee.”

“We are starting a project that will affect many pilgrims,” added the City Councillor for the Environment, Sabrina Alfonsi, “and will restore an extraordinary heritage of paths and routes involving beautiful places and parks like the Via Francigena, the Insugherata Reserve, Monte Ciocci, and historic streets and squares of the city leading to St. Peter’s. A valuable task,” concluded the councillor, “which we will accomplish quickly thanks to dedicated funds and the on-field commitment of the Jubilee Society Spa.”

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FlixBus and our Association have renewed their agreement for 2024, offering reduced fares to pilgrims on their pilgrimage route who use the green buses to travel between stages, reach their starting point or return home at the end of the journey.

The agreement is valid throughout the network, and is supported by a number of EAVF’s partners, such as DMO Francigena Sud in Lazio and Visit Piemonte, who wish to encourage people to discover their territories travelling at a slow pace and in a responsible manner, combining walking with bus transportation.  

The itinerary after Rome

In Lazio, the Via Francigena links 21 stages, entering Tuscia from the Val d’Orcia (Tuscany), then crossing the provinces of Viterbo, Rome and Latina as far as Minturno, continuing on into Campania. In Lazio the route passes through Rome and Ciampino, where it intersects the FlixBus network, offering advantages for those travelling the route but also for the local area: visitors arriving at the Roma Tiburtina, Roma Anagnina or Ciampino bus stops can set out on foot, discovering Lazio at a slow pace.

Our partner DMO Francigena Sud in Lazio promotes and enhances the itinerary in southern Lazio on the way to Campania and Apulia. The route passes through little-known villages abounding in scenic, natural, artistic, cultural and historical charm. A complete list of municipalities is available at this link.  

The Via Francigena in Piedmont 

The Via Francigena has 13 stages In Piedmont, with two variants that cross the region, meeting at Vercelli and then heading towards Lombardy: one descending from Valle d’Aosta and the other proceeding from the west. In Piedmont the route passes through the towns of  Turin, Chivasso, Oulx and Santhià, where it intersects the FlixBus network, offering benefits for those travelling the route and for the local area. Encouraging the discovery of Piedmont at a slow pace, Visit Piemonte, a regional company for the promotion of incoming tourism, FlixBus and the Association of the Via Francigena ways promote a more authentic way of travelling, in close contact with local communities, which at the same time significantly reduces the environmental impact of the journey. Caring for the local community also means caring for the environment! 

A new way of travelling 

Overtourism or tourist overcrowding has shed new light on the fragility of Italy’s national heritage and the need for a different approach to the promotion of tourism that is capable of generating wealth for local economies without jeopardising the balance and quality of life of the communities involved. 

After all, it is the visitors themselves who are demanding the right to access new, more conscientious ways of travelling. A study entitled What motivates us to travel, conducted for FlixBus by research company Squadrati, revealed how more and more people are now expressing, among other things, a need for authentic travel experiences and a greater demand for sustainability.  To cite two of the most significant figures, 33% of those surveyed indicated a preference for ‘educational’ trips ‘to discover places and cities with the eyes of an explorer, not a tourist‘ (compared to 26% pre-Covid), and 41% specified that they wanted to ‘live an experience of enrichment, of personal growth‘ (compared to 31% pre-Covid).  

To learn more about EAVF’s partnerships, download our Media Kit. 

For the past 3 years the EAVF, in collaboration with partners from 6 European countries, has been actively involved in the project “rurAllure: Promotion of rural museums and heritage sites in the vicinity of European pilgrimage routes” under the Horizon 2020 programme.  

This project, concluding on 31 December, has significantly valorised cultural heritage sites along the routes, including Camino de Santiago, Via Francigena, Romea Strata, Via Romea Germanica, Way of Mary, and St Olav Way. The EAVF has spearheaded communication and research efforts specifically along the Via Francigena as part of this project. 

Among the most important achievements of the project is mapping over 3,000 sites, including over 1200 from the entire European Via Francigena. Based on this research, an atlas of Via Francigena heritage, podcasts and informative tourist text were produced and published on the project platform.  

Among the main events, an accessibility workshop for the visually impaired, which took place in July 2022 in Bagno Vignoni (Tuscany) with a special focus on the creation of 3D models of surrounding landscapes and improved information access.    

The project organised several free hikes in the format “I love Via Francigena Thermal”, which allowed the participants to discover the benefits of hot springs and cultural sites along the route.  

In the framework of rurAllure, the EAVF participated in several tourism fairs, such as “Fa’ la Cosa Giusta” in 2022 and 2023 and at the TTG Travel Experience in Rimini in October 2023. 

Additionally, the photo competition “Share your route” launched and managed within the project, served to strengthen the pilgrims’ community, generating over 3600 photos and videos from the Via Francigena.  

Thanks to the project’s contribution to slow tourism and Sustainable Development Goals, it received international recognition such as the Skål Europe Sustainable Tourism Awards and Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism 2023, while the EAVF research along the Via Francigena and educational walks were featured by the EU platform Europeana, UNWTO Tourism4SDGs and UN World Tourism Day.  

In 2024 the project spin-off – the first in its kind European Cooperation Network along pilgrimage routes, officially launched in June 2023 in Norway – will play the central role. This network, of which the EAVF is a member, is focused on cooperation among the routes, exchange of best practices and common projects.