The Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage trail stretching across Europe from Canterbury to Rome, with extensions to the ports of Apulia, also traverses the Lombardy region in Italy, crossing the provinces of Pavia and Lodi. This segment, covering approximately 150 km across the region and divided into five stages, offers accessible routes for both walkers and cyclists.

As part of the project “The Via Francigena in Lombardy Towards the Jubilee 2025”, made possible by contributions from Regione Lombardia and supported by the Province of Pavia, the Province of Lodi, and the Municipality of Orio Litta, the state of the signage along the Lodi section has recently been inspected by the staff of the European Association of the Via Francigena (EAVF). This verification follows the completion of a similar assessment in 2022 for the Pavia section.

Improving signage and priority plans
The project for verifying and enhancing the signage, in line with the Abacus approved by EAVF and the regions crossed by the Via Francigena, aims to ensure greater safety and usability of the route for pilgrims travelling to Rome for the Jubilee in 2025. The intervention plan includes the use of standardized signage with white and red markers, alongside the installation of signposts, with three different levels of priority (low, medium, and high) for necessary interventions:

• High Priority: Sections where signage is essential for navigation or where visibility is low, particularly near junctions, crossroads, or less frequented rural areas.
• Medium Priority: Connecting stretches between points of interest or areas requiring improved visibility of existing signage.
• Low Priority: Sections that require minimal updates or additional signage, mainly in areas already well served.

A collaboration to enhance the route
This intervention is part of a broader collaboration between local authorities and the EAVF, born from the shared desire to meet the needs of the many pilgrims and enthusiasts who travel through Lombardy region each year along the Via Francigena. The Lombardy section of the Francigena is a cultural and natural treasure of great value, and this project aims to further enhance it, ensuring a safer, better-signposted, and more accessible walking experience for all.

Upgrading the signage along the Lodi section marks another significant step in promoting the Via Francigena in Lombardy, which is preparing to welcome a growing number of travellers and pilgrims during the Jubilee in 2025. Thanks to the support of institutions and the commitment of the AEVF, this historic route will continue to represent not only a path of faith but also an opportunity to explore the heart of Lombardy.