ДомойDestinationsVia Francigena: the most famous route to Rome since the Middle Ages

Via Francigena: the most famous route to Rome since the Middle Ages


Via Francigena (the Frankish Way) is an ancient road that was the most famous route to Rome since the Middle Ages. Pilgrims, merchants, soldiers, and prominent figures in art and culture traveled along it, going to the places of martyrdom of the apostles. The most famous pilgrim was Archbishop Sigeric the Serious, who compiled the first detailed description of the route.

Pilgrims traveled on the ancient Via Francigena hiking trail from Canterbury in England across the English Channel, France, and Switzerland to Rome. When traveling in the northern direction, the path was called the Frankish Way, and when traveling in the southern direction, it was called the Roman Way

Via Francigena
The Frankish Way. Photo:

The unique hiking route passes through some of the most beautiful places in Europe, including the cliffs of Dover, the battlefields of the Great War in northern France, Lake Geneva, the majestic Alps, the picturesque hills of Tuscany, and finally ends in Rome. Thanks to this, travelers have a great opportunity to see the iconic places of several countries at once, as there will be more than one stop on the route.

Canterbury Cathedral, the starting point of the Via Francigena

Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral. Photo:

Dover

Dover
Dover. Photo:

Calais

Calais
Calais. Photo:

Arras

Arras
Arras. Photo:

Laon

Laon
Laon. Photo:

Reims

Reims
Reims. Photo:

Châlons-en-Champagne

Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne. Photo:

Bar-sur-Aube

Bar-sur-Aube<
Bar-sur-Aube. Photo:

Langres

Langres
Langres. Photo:

Besançon

Besançon
Besançon. Photo:

Pontarlier

Pontarlier
Pontarlier. Photo:

Lausanne

Lausanne
Lausanne. Photo:

Saint-Maurice

Saint-Maurice
Saint-Maurice. Photo:

Great Saint Bernard Pass

Great Saint Bernard Pass
Great Saint Bernard Pass. Photo:

Aosta

Aosta
Aosta. Photo:

Vercelli

Vercelli
Vercelli. Photo:

Pavia

Pavia
Pavia. Photo:

Piacenza

Piacenza
Piacenza. Photo:

Fidenza

Fidenza
Fidenza. Photo:

La Cisa Pass

La Cisa Pass
La Cisa Pass. Photo:

Pontremoli

Pontremoli
Pontremoli. Photo:

Lucca

Lucca
Lucca. Photo:

Siena

Siena
Siena. Photo:

Radicofani

Radicofani
Radicofani. Photo:

Viterbo

Viterbo
Viterbo. Photo:

Rome. The finishing point of the Via Francigena is St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City

St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. Photo: © Topvoyager

Today Via Francigena is a unique and challenging journey that offers a chance to experience the history, culture, and beauty of Europe.

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