Jubilee approaching: the Via Francigena is preparing

22 November 2024

A major effort is underway to improve the route infrastructure, enhance safety, provide better hospitality, install signage, and boost international promotion. Over €22 million has been allocated.

The Via Francigena, a European Cultural Route, is gearing up for the Jubilee Year 2025 and preparing to welcome tens of thousands of pilgrims who will journey along this historic cultural route. The final destination next year will undoubtedly be Rome, specifically St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

The route is undergoing significant development, particularly in the Italian section: improving pathways, ensuring safety, installing signage, enhancing hospitality, creating rest areas, establishing information points, and updating signage systems.

The interventions in northern Italy are distributed as follows: 1 in Valle d’Aosta, 3 in Piedmont, 7 in Lombardy, 13 in Emilia-Romagna, 4 in Liguria, 20 in Tuscany, 23 in Lazio.

This totals over 70 projects with an investment of €11,350,899. Additional safety, maintenance, and signage projects are also planned for the Via Francigena in Southern Italy in Lazio, Campania, and Puglia, amounting to €2,808,032. These initiatives are funded by the Italian Ministry of Culture through CIPE funds under the 2014–2020 Development and Cohesion Plan – Sheet 33 “Via Francigena.”

Further interventions are being funded by the Italian Ministry of Tourism through the Religious Paths Fund for 2024–2026. A total of €2,914,879 has been allocated to ten projects across various regions, from Valle d’Aosta to Puglia. Measures to enhance route accessibility are also planned.

PROMOTION WITH THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

In addition to infrastructure improvements, significant international promotion efforts are planned. With nearly €2 million provided by the Ministry of Tourism, initiatives will include animation and digitization activities, participation in fairs, communication campaigns, and blogger tours. These efforts are being coordinated with Italian regions and the European Association of the Via Francigena ways (EAVF).

The Ministry of Tourism is also conducting a focused campaign to improve communication, geolocation, and signage along the Via Francigena. This includes installing “smart signage” in select “pilot municipalities” along the route. These intelligent signs will highlight local features, promote scenic and cultural attractions, and showcase local businesses, making them easily discoverable for pilgrims via a dedicated app provided by the Ministry. The digital solution will also offer free Wi-Fi and help walkers with timely information. The €3,857,985.76 funding will enable the installation of 37 devices.

ROME MUNICIPALITY’S CONTRIBUTION

Good news also comes from the Rome municipality, which is investing in infrastructure improvements along the Via Francigena for the Jubilee, particularly on the final stretch of the route. A budget of €1,142,691 has been allocated for safety upgrades, maintenance, signage, and rest areas. An additional €300,000 has been earmarked for promotional efforts.

These significant investments confirm the ongoing commitment to developing the Via Francigena as a vital international route. In addition to the €22 million allocated, regional governments are also funding various local projects related to the route.

The goal is to make the Via Francigena increasingly beautiful, frequented, and accessible along its entire path, from Canterbury to Santa Maria di Leuca. Last year, the route attracted 50,000 pilgrims from over 50 countries. The target for 2025 is 100,000 pilgrims, with many expected to arrive at St. Peter’s Basilica on foot or by bicycle.

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