{"id":2544,"date":"2026-06-25T11:25:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T11:25:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/?p=2544"},"modified":"2026-06-18T11:54:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T11:54:09","slug":"the-via-francigena-crossing-europe-to-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/the-via-francigena-crossing-europe-to-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"The Via Francigena: Crossing Europe to Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What Is the Via Francigena and What Are Its Historic Origins?<\/h2>\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n

The Via Francigena is one of the most important pilgrimage routes in human history. Its name means “the path that comes from France,” and it originated during the Early Middle Ages as the communication axis connecting Frankish territories and Northern Europe with Rome. Those who traveled this route were called “romeros” (Rome-bound pilgrims), as their destination was the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul in the Vatican. <\/p>\n\n

This route is based on the journey made in the year 900 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sigeric the Serious. After traveling to Rome to receive the pallium from the Pope, the archbishop returned to England and recorded the 80 stages of his return journey. That manuscript is preserved in the British Library. <\/p>\n\n

Route, Distances, and Borders: Where Does the Via Francigena Go?<\/h2>\n\n

The Via Francigena in England<\/h3>\n\n
    \n
  • Stage 1<\/strong>: Canterbury – Dover (32 km)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

    The Via Francigena in France<\/h3>\n\n
      \n
    • Stage 2<\/strong>: Calais – Wissant (31 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 3<\/strong>: Wissant – Boulogne-sur-Mer (48 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 4<\/strong>: Boulogne-sur-Mer – Montreuil-sur-Mer (48 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 5<\/strong>: Montreuil-sur-Mer – Arras (75 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 6<\/strong>: Arras – Cambrai (46 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 7<\/strong>: Cambrai – Saint-Quenti (52 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 8<\/strong>: Saint-Quenti – Laon (55 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 9<\/strong>: Laon – Reims (62 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 10<\/strong>: Reims – Ch\u00e2lons-es-Champagne (50 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 11<\/strong>: Ch\u00e2lons-es-Champagne – Brienne-le-Ch\u00e2teau (68 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 12<\/strong>: Brienne-le-Ch\u00e2teau – Bar-sur-Aube (30 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 13<\/strong>: Bar-sur-Aube – Langres (82 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 14<\/strong>: Langres – Champlitte (45 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 15<\/strong>: Champlitte – Besan\u00e7on (65 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stage 16<\/strong>: Besan\u00e7on – Pontarlier (72 km)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

      The Via Francigena in Switzerland<\/h3>\n\n
        \n
      • Stage 17<\/strong>: Pontarlier (Border) – Yverdon-les-Bains (45 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Stage 18<\/strong>: Yverdon-les-Bains – Lausanne (40 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Stage 19<\/strong>: Lausanne – Vevey (22 km) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Stage 20<\/strong>: Vevey – Martigny (55 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Stage 21<\/strong>: Martigny – Bourg-Saint-Pierre (35 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Stage 22<\/strong>: Bourg-Saint-Pierre – Great St Bernard Pass (15 km)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

        The Via Francigena in Italy<\/h3>\n\n
          \n
        • Stage 23<\/strong>: Great St Bernard Pass – Aosta (30 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 24<\/strong>: Aosta – Saint-Vincent (32 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 25<\/strong>: Saint-Vincent – Ivrea (55 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 26<\/strong>: Ivrea – Vercelli (65 km) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 27<\/strong>: Vercelli – Pavia (80 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 28<\/strong>: Pavia – Piacenza (70 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 29<\/strong>: Piacenza – Fidenza (62 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 30<\/strong>: Fidenza – Berceto (45 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 31<\/strong>: Berceto – Pontremoli (32 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 32<\/strong>: Pontremoli – Massa (55 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 33<\/strong>: Massa – Lucca (50 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 34<\/strong>: Lucca – San Miniato (48 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 35<\/strong>: San Miniato – San Gimignano (42 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 36<\/strong>: San Gimignano – Siena (45 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 37<\/strong>: Siena – San Quirico d’Orcia (55 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 38<\/strong>: San Quirico d’Orcia – Radicofani (38 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 39<\/strong>: Radicofani – Bolsena (52 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 40<\/strong>: Bolsena – Viterbo (35 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 41<\/strong>: Viterbo – Sutri (38 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 42<\/strong>: Sutri – Formello (42 km)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Stage 43<\/strong>: Formello – Rome (Vatican) (34 km)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

          What Are the Infrastructure and Hostels Like on the Via Francigena?<\/h2>\n\n
          \"The<\/figure>\n\n

          Tackling the Via Francigena requires a shift in mindset. In England and France, the pilgrim hostel network is virtually non-existent. Travelers stay in small rural hotels, campsites, or rely on the hospitality of local parishes. It is a route that demands autonomy, language skills, and a higher budget.<\/p>\n\n

          When crossing Switzerland and Italy, everything improves. Italy boasts a solid network of ostelli (hostels) managed by institutional or religious organizations through the Credenziale del Pellegrino (the official pilgrim passport); however, it is still necessary to book a spot one day in advance. <\/p>\n\n

          Places and Monuments of the Via Francigena<\/h2>\n\n

          Throughout this journey, you will find some of Western culture\u2019s most impressive architectural, artistic, and spiritual gems.<\/p>\n\n

            \n
          • Canterbury Cathedral (England)<\/strong>. A masterpiece of English Gothic architecture and the site of Saint Thomas Becket’s martyrdom, where the essence of British medieval art can be truly appreciated. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Reims Cathedral (France)<\/strong>. The Gothic cathedral where the kings of France were crowned. Its facade and stained-glass windows are a stunning visual spectacle. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Great St Bernard Hospice (Switzerland)<\/strong>. A refuge founded in the 11th century by Saint Bernard of Menthon that continues to offer shelter to travelers today. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Roman Amphitheater of Sutri (Italy)<\/strong>. An archaeological gem entirely carved into the tuff rock by the ancient Romans. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • The Towers of San Gimignano (Italy)<\/strong>. Known as the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages,” this Tuscan town still preserves its medieval stone skyscrapers. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Piazza del Campo in Siena (Italy)<\/strong>. A breathtaking medieval square, world-famous for its shell shape and the hosting of the Palio horse race. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican (Rome)<\/strong>. The ultimate destination of the journey. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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