Month: September 2019

The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways has become a finalist of the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2019 in the category Transnational Thematic Tourism Products including Cultural Routes.

Via Francigena promotes sustainable and ethical travel and fosters cooperation and economic growth of local communities, hence it is an excellent example of a destination embracing the Sustainable Development Goals and responsible tourism.

“Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards” is granted by the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN). The ECTN is the only pan-European network for Cultural Tourism Development and promotion, uniting 19 countries and 6 associated Member-States. The Award enhances the visibility of European cultural tourism destinations, creates a platform for sharing experience and knowledge and promotes networking between destinations of excellence. The Award, realised in partnership with Europa Nostra and the European Travel Commission, has been organised since 2014 by ECTN around annual themes, for the benefit of destinations, communities, associations, businesses, citizens and visitors.

The winners of the contest will be announced at the International Conference on Cultural Tourism in Europe scheduled in Granada, Spain on 24-26 October 2019.

More information: http://www.culturaltourism-network.eu/

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The World Francigena Ultramarathon is approaching. On the 12 and 13 October 2019 a new edition of the non-competitive trekking and Nordic Walking event along the Via Francigena will take place.

This year the event, which attracts hundreds of participants each year, proposes various routes to choose from, in addition to the 120km classic way from Siena to Acquapendente.

This is one of the two novelties of the 2019 edition. For the first time, there will also be an option for the less trained participants: 20 km walk of absolute beauty from Buonconvento, a splendid stage that passes via Montalcino, to San Quirico Orcia, one of the most beautiful villages of the province of Siena.

In addition to the longest and shortest step, participants can choose one of the following routes: 

• San Quirico-Acquapendente: 65 km
• Siena – Buonconvento: 35 km
• Radicofani – Acquapendente: 32 km

The second novelty is the event scheduled for October 11 in Siena. From 15.00 to 22.00 in Tartarugone, Plaza del Mercato, there will be a welcome party for all participants with tasting of typical products,  kindly offered by the sponsors of the event.  The bib delivery will continue until a little before the departure on October 12th.

Registrations for all trips can be made online until 1 October, or up to 1,000 registrations, at www.francigenaultramarathon.it. Participation fees vary according to the route chosen, to be specified at the time of registration: 65 euros for the 120 km of the Ultramarathon; 55 euros for 65 km San Quirico-Acquapendente; 20 euros for Siena-Buonconvento 35 km; 25 euros for 20 km from Buonconvento to San Quirico; and 20 euros for the 32 km from Radicofani to Acquapendente.

Compulsory medical certificate is required for routes of 120 km and 65 km.

The event, organized by the councilor for tourism of the municipality of Siena and by the councilor for Sport and Tourism of Acquapendente, with the sponsorship of the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways, the Tuscany and Lazio regions, and the collaboration of the municipalities of Monteroni d’Arbia, Buonconvento, Montalcino, San Quirico d’Orcia, Castiglione d’Orcia, Radicofani, San Casciano dei Bagni and Proceno, which aim to experience from a perspective of slow and green tourism, a territory rich in natural and artistic treasures that constitute the historical-cultural and environmental heritage of the ten municipalities involved in the sport initiative, between Tuscany and Lazio.

Info: www.francigenaultramarathon.it

Municipality of Siena Tel. +39 0577 534506 – 534502, francigena@comune.siena.it

Download the attached program in Italian and English.

On Friday, September 13th, the village of Leffond in the Haute-Saône region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France, experienced an extraordinary day thanks the passage and reception of a group of 17 pilgrims on their way from Langres to Besançon.

Village residents welcomed the pilgrims in the presence of the Vice-President of the European Association of Via Francigena Ways, Ms Martine Gutheron.

Truly an incredible experience and exchange! That is a human adventure to live without moderation for these men and women, accompanied by the team of the Diocese of Langres to discover a section of the Via Francigena in France in its spiritual and human dimension.

In the presence of the Abbot Pascal Leseur and the management team of the bishopric, different matters were discussed: for example, accommodation and pilgrims’ welcome in France, the frequentation of the Via Francigena and many other subjects. After a night of rest, where everyone was able to sleep and relax in the village of Leffond, and a visit to the church, the group continued its trip. We wish them a good journey!

The Leader of Canterbury  City Council, Robert Thomas, will attend the the European Association of Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) General Assembly scheduled for 18th October in Bari, Puglia.

The presence of the leader of the zero-km city of the Francigena is particularly significant and symbolic. Representatives of the communities north and south of the route will meet in Bari; it will be a moment of historical and symbolic significance to support the extention of the certification of “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” to the Southern Francigena. 

“The confirmation that Mr. Robert Thomas, new leader of Canterbury City Council, will participate in the General Assembly of Bari fills us with grerat satisfaction – states the EAVF president, Massimo Tedeschi –  It’s been several years since the Leader of the City Council personally attended in the General Assembly. The renewed presence of Canterbury in the association life of the VF is very important to us as it represents an essential cultural and linguistic component. A great cultural axis which unites North and South Europe transversely or, to put it in the words of Le Goff, a great bridge of culture that unites Latin Europe and Anglo-Saxon Europe”.

This collaboration shows the attention of the English towards the Francigena following the meeting that took place between the EAVF president, Tedeschi, and the Leader of Canterbury City Council, Thomas, on 27th August. On that occasion, the leader confirmed his interest in developing the Via Francigena and in the UNESCO candidacy project. Not only that, their meeting in Kentish city opened the door for an EAVF  General Gssembly in Canterbury in spring 2020, 15 years after the city joined the European Association of Via Francigena Ways.