Author: Redazione AEVF

On 7 October, 2017 the second charity walk in aid of Save the Children took place on the Via Francigena UK (Canterbury to Dover).  The event raised £770 with gift aid for Save the Children, supporting their important work in providing essentials such as food and clothing, as well as education, for many vulnerable children across the world.

Pilgrims arrived at Canterbury Cathedral at 7.45 am where we were given a wonderful send off by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Rosemary Doyle.  The Lord Mayor expressed her particular interest in the event, as she been involved in the development of the Via Francigena and its promotion over 10 years ago when the zero kilometre stone of the Via Francigena was placed within the Cathedral Precincts, marking the official starting point of the route to Rome.  Velia Coffey of the Canterbury Council and Vice-President of the European Via Francigena Association, who has twice cycled to Rome, also came to wish the group well.  Luca Faravelli of the Via Francigena Association had travelled from the Association’s headquarters in Fidenza, Italy, as a representative and to experience the UK section of the Via Francigena for himself.  After an inspirational blessing by Canon Clare at the Zero Kilometre stone, the group of 20 pilgrims set off on the Via Francigena, just as Archbishop Sigeric would have done in 990 AD as he began his long journey to Rome.  All archbishops of the Catholic church made this journey, but it is only from Sigeric that we have a record of the stops that he made along the way.  The revived route, which pilgrims travel today, tries as faithfully as possible to follow the way of Sigeric.

The charity walk aimed to give pilgrims an immersive experience of pilgrimage and so, included a visit to each of the churches the route passes on the way to Dover.  The first stop was at St. Martin’s church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the first Christian church in the English speaking world.  This delightful church was first the site of a Roman building, and the Roman red tiles and bricks can still be seen embedded within its walls.  After stamping their pilgrim credentials and listening to an engaging talk on the history of the church by a knowledgeable parishioner, we began the next stage of our journey.  Waiting for us in Patrixbourne was tea, coffee and a big slab of cake, which we enjoyed while learning about the striking Normal wheel window and other architectural features of the lovely St. Mary’s.  The route was dry from Patrixbourne to Womenswold, but the weather turned to misty rain as we approached our next stop of St. Margaret’s.  Upon walking through the door we discovered the church wardens had prepared us three types of piping hot soup.  We soon felt warm and comfortable as we sat sipping soup and chatting with our fellow pilgrims.  The last 10 miles became increasingly challenging, but coffee breaks at St. Andrew’s church, Shepherdswell, and St. Peter’s, Whitfield, gave us the energy we needed to walk the final stretch of the route along the Roman road into Dover.  Our last visit was to the delightful chapel of St. Edmund’s in Dover.  This small chapel, which was lovingly restored in the 1960s to  its 13th century glory, was the perfect place to find some rest and tranquillity to reflect on the physical, mental and spiritual journey of the day.

The Francigena is always a different experience.  No matter how many times I walk the route I always discover something new, from friendships to insights. Looking forward to what I will discover on the route next year for the charity walk of 2018!

Julia Peters

Source: Kent on the Via Francigena

Everything is ready for the “World Francigena Ultra Marathon” in Siena: the first walker’s marathon that touches the most beautiful villages of Tuscany and Lazio.  On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October starting in Siena, it will be a unique experience of 120km to discover the breath-taking views at a slow pace, white roads and trails along the Via Francigena.  

The first European ultramarathon along Sigeric’s ancient route, at a trekking and Nordic walking pace, it offers four routes with the possibility of participating in the first, non-stop walk of 120km from Siena to Acquapendente.  The event was presented today, Tuesday the 17th October, during a press conference in which Bruno Valentini, mayor of the municipality of Siena, took part, along with Sonia Pallai, councillor for tourism of the municipality of Siena, and Riccardo Crisanti, councillor for youth policy, events, Francigena of the municipality of Acquapendente. 

The identikit of the ‘modern pilgrim’.  There will be 700 people at the ‘starting point’ of the first edition of the “World Francigena Ultra Marathon”, 370 men and 330 women.  Preferring a slow walk through the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany and Lazio will be the ‘walkers over 50’, ranging from 51-60 year olds; 247 will be participating, equal to 35% of the total participants.  Following them are 228 (32%) ‘adults’, from 41-50 years old.  The walk even attracts younger people, which represent 12% of those taking part.  There will also be 11 over 70s taking part in the first marathon, ready to challenge themselves with of the four slow routes.  

The first edition of the “World Francigena Ultra Marathon” reaches some of the most appealing villages of the Via Francigena between Tuscany and Alto Lazio: from Monteroni D’Arbia to Buonconvento arriving at Torrenieri, district of Montalcino; San Quirico d’Orcia and Bagno Vignoni, skirting Gallina, district of Castiglion d’Orcia up to Radicofani, descending to Ponte a Rigo, district of San Casciano Dei Bagni and Proceno.  The participants will have the possibility to dive into the past, step by step, crossing ancient hamlets, rural landscapes and immaculate natural areas to experience a unique experience in Europe.  The first ultramarathon, exclusively reserved for walkers, offers four routes: the first, a non-stop 120km from Siena to Acquapendente, beginning Saturday 21st October at 10am; the second, the 32km leg from Siena to Buonconvento, beginning Saturday 21st October at 10am; the third, the 65km route from San Quirico d’Orcia to Acquapendente, starting Saturday 21st October at night (at 10pm) and lastly, the fourth of 32km from Radicofani to Acquapendente, departing Sunday 22nd October at 9am.   

Ufficio stampa Agenzia Robespierre

Find attached the press release of the conference in Siena on the 17th October, with additional information.

On the road along the Via Francigena from Acquapendente to Montefiascone with the Australian pilgrim Carol Neville. A journey discovering the “camino” during the “Francigena Marathon” event.

It is 7:30 in the morning, Pentecost Sunday, 4th June and I am running late.  But hurrying towards Piazza Girolamo, I am stopped in my tracks by a crowd in green t-shirts winding like a large green serpent through the ancient streets of Acquapendente.  United by purpose, 2000 strong, they are filled with the spirit of ‘Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war …’. With determination they are headed to Montefiascione, 42.5 km away.  

I arrive at the Piazza to find it almost empty, and stop at a bar for my typical Italian breakfast – an espresso coffee and cake.  In the Piazza I proudly have my pilgrim credential stamped with ‘Acquapendente’.  I use the word ‘proud’ because to receive the Via Francigena Testimonium in Rome, the pilgrim is required to walk the 142.5 km from here to Rome.

Today is different!  It is a special Via Francigena marathon event with the goal of arriving in Montefiascone at a point exactly 100 km from St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  The super fit are walking the whole 42.5 km, but I have chosen to walk the last 17.7 km from Bolsena to Montefiascione.  So I am going by car to San Lorenzo Nuovo, 10 km away.  By the time I arrive the Piazza is filling with green shirts, all having their pilgrim credentials stamped and topping up with water, bananas and cakes.

Driving to Bolsena I enjoy the views of Lake Bolsena and am amazed by its size and beauty.  I am very excited to receive my green shirt and Bolsena stamp in the shadow of an enormous castle!   This is a remarkable place with winding streets and ancient buildings.  Since antiquity pilgrims have come to visit the tomb of the early Christian martyr Santa Cristina and to pray at the site of the Eucharistic miracle.  As I enter the Church of Santa Cristina, in my green shirt, I feel connected to the countless number of pilgrims who have prayed here and add my prayers to theirs.

It is approaching midday and the heat is building up as I join the constant stream of pilgrims heading to Montefiascone.  I enjoy the views of Lake Bolsena and walking in the cool of the forest to escape the heat of the day. And the stops with food and water keep me walking through the uphill sections with little shade. 

At last, after a long, hot, tiring walk I arrive at the place near Montefiascone which is exactly 100 km from St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  Along with many other pilgrims we receive a certificate celebrating this achievement.  Then, we hurry over to the sign to have our photographs taken in this highly significant location.

My journey continues for several more kilometres ending in a steep upward ascent through ancient winding streets to the highest point in Montefiascone.  Here is the place where all the pilgrims in their green shirts are resting, eating, and drinking the famous est! est!! est!!! wine.  Wearily, I sit on a seat at eye level with the enormous dome of the Duomo di Santa Margherita, and stunning views to distant horizons.  Resting at last, I enjoy my food and wine and reuniting with fellow pilgrims.

And so my marathon ends! But a new journey begins for me as I am continuing my pilgrimage heading off by myself to walk to Rome … but this is another story!

And of course, I cannot wait to join the marathon again next year, but with an Australian contingent, of ‘Christian soldiers’!  Not to mention an attempt to walk the whole 42.5 km.

A huge thank you to Sergio Pieri for organizing the event, including me at the last minute and for his amazing hospitality!

Carol Neville

If you want to join the marathon next year I have a few tips on my new website

“Invisible energies – Walking from Milan to Rome” is an exciting title that tells the story of a journey; a route undertaken and narrated by protagonists that wanted to retrace the Via Francigena starting at the Cathedral of Milan and arriving at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The great on foot adventure, of small steps one after the other, transformed Luca and Mimmo – the first behind the camera and the second in front – into two real pilgrims to the discovery of themselves.  On the road, sometimes long and winding, other times pleasantly direct, the two young explorers were met by the experiences of many others, each with their own points of view that talk about their motives for undertaking the walk.  

All that happened on the journey, each word said and person met, is not part of a script, but is rather the pure and simple will of the case.  The result of the experiment is just an incredible emotional and social experience that unites those who until shortly beforehand were unknown, walking together towards the same goal.

The route that the protagonists of “Invisible energies – Walking from Milan to Rome” is the Via Francigena, that is to say, a part of the tract that leads from France to Rome.  In the Middle Ages meeting pilgrims that travelled along these routes to Rome and to visit the tomb of Peter the apostle, was not such a rare thing; people came from all over Europe.  

Documents that for the first time certify the existence of the Via Francigena date back to the Actum Clusio – a parchment preserved in the Abbey of San Salvatore in Monte Amiata – dating back to the IX century and refers to a walking route situated in Chiusi.  The route was described for the first time however, in the X century by the archbishop Sigeric while he returned to Canterbury after having been received by the Pope.  

All the info on the halls which will show the film, from the 12th October to 5th November, are on the le energie invisibili Facebook page and on the film website.   

Source: Eco del Cinema