Autore: Redazione AEVF

On 27 May – 1 June 2019 the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways is conducing a study visit to the Apulia region in the framework of the project ‘Italy, Greece and Turkey on Foot’ which aims on developing a new cultural route Via Eurasia. Stakeholders of the Via Eurasia route and representatives of the Turkish municipalities of Edirne, İzmit and Bursa’s Nilüfer will participate in this trip to learn best practices of hospitality and travellers’ welcome by public and private sectors, discover heritage and nature of this region as well as will to hike along the Via Francigena del Sud.

During the trip the participants will explore the city of Monte Sant’Angelo and its famous Sanctuary dedicated to the Archangel Michael, the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, will hike in the Gargano National Park and along the coast following the Via Francigena del Sud and will end the journey in the crossroads of cultures – Bari.

The project ‘Italy, Greece and Turkey on Foot’ is financed by the European Union under the ‘Civil Society Dialogue V’ programme and implemented by the Turkish Directorate for EU Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

More information on the study visit

More information on the project

More information on the Cultural Routes Society

On April 1 2019 the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways engaged in an ambitious project ‘Italy, Greece and Turkey on Foot’ which aims to develop a walking route connecting Europe and Asia – Via Eurasia.

The Via Eurasia will link Europe and Asia and would allow hikers to enjoy the ever-changing landscapes, learn new traditions and meet local communities on the way. The Route will start in Rome and will follow Via Francigena del Sud, then cross Greece, Albania and Northern Macedonia on the Via Egnatia and pass through Turkey with the end point in Demre.

This project is led by a non-governmental organization from Turkey Culture Routes Society (CRS) with co-applicants of the EAVF and an association in Greece Trace Your Eco.

The idea of creating the Via Eurasia was born out of the cooperation between Turkey’s Culture Routes Society (CRS) and the EAVF. In 2016 the two organisations started working together on a project ‘Europe to Turkey on Foot Project’.

The project’s partners and associates collaborate to prepare and submit an application dossier to certify the Via Eurasia as a European Cultural Route of the Council of Europe in 2020. Once certified, the Via Eurasia, with a total length of about 6000 km, will be the longest walking route in the European Cultural Routes Programme.

The kick-off meeting of the project took place on 16 – 18 April 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey. The focus of the meeting was to introduce all the stakeholders to each other and define the roles and responsibilities of each co-applicant and associates. It also aimed to increase exchange and dialogue between partners, leading to the on-going support of the future route by the public and private bodies.

More information here

The project is launched under the ‘Civil Society Dialogue V’ programme, financed by the EU and implemented by the Turkish Directorate for EU Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the contracting authority is the Central Finance and Contracts Unit (CFCU).

“Step by step” returns this year to take participants on a discovery of the Piacenza territory of the Via Francigena.

The initiative, organised by the Fiorenzuola in Movimento association, proposes 5 events between May and September, dedicated to “History, stories, routes and protagonists of the Via Francigena”. It’s a chance to raise awareness of the territory by offering opportunities which encourage route enhancement started with the EAVF’s “I Love Francigena” event.

There are three events planned so far. To celebrate the new season, is a walk along the route on Saturday 25th May from Roveleto di Cadeo to Fiorenzuola d’Arda (postponed due to bad weather). The next event will begin in Fiorenzuola d’Arda for the Festa di Primavera (Spring Celebration) on 26th May, with a display stand and exploratory hike along the Via Francigena. The final event will be on Sunday 30th June in Piacenza, city along the Francigena, with stops in places of interest.

Another event will discover Cortemaggiore with a 10km country hike at sunset in 4th August, and Sunday 8th September will host another hike from Castell’Arquato to Lugagnano.

For more info and registration contact: Daniela 338.3267926 and Andrea 329.0210092. Email: fiorenzuolainmovimento@outlook.it

The bad weather didn’t stop this promotional event of the Via Francigena.

On Sunday 19th May, the European Association of Via Francigena Ways took part in the exhibition event at the sales event at the Fidenza Decathlon, which took place instead of the Trekdays event cancelled due to bad weather.

Luca Faravelli of the EAVF staff and Michela Macari, Decathlon representative, and Trekking Taro and Ceno guide, Maria Molinari, met customers and trekking enthusiasts at the store, offering information on the route, as well as helpful tips when preparing for a hike. It was a new opportunity for the collaboration between the EAVF and Decathlon, to help raise awareness of the Via Francigena and maintain contact with pilgrims.