The Via Francigena trail might not be as well known as the Camino de Santiago but it has been a path taken by pilgrims across Europe for centuries.
We explain the Via Francigena, the Camino to Rome, in 15 interesting and simple facts:
Via Francigena Facts
1 – The Via Francigena covers 1900kms from Canterbury to Rome.
2 – It is one of the many routes taken by European pilgrims on their way to Rome since the Middle Ages.
3 – The Via Francigena or Camino to Rome crosses 4 European countries: the UK, France, Switzerland and Italy; and areas of spectacular beauty and historic interest.
4 – Sigeric the Serious, Archbishop of Canterbury, walked the route to Rome and recorded his travels in a journal in the 10th century. This can be considered the first-ever Via Francigena ‘guidebook’ and the route today follows Sigeric’s trail as much as possible.
5 – Slightly different variations have emerged in sections of the Via Francigena route, to avoid bigger roads or areas not suitable for walking/cycling.
Some guidebooks will indicate both itineraries so walkers/cyclists can choose which one to follow.
6 – It is pronounced: Francheegena (with the accent on the ‘ee’) but to make it easier you can also call it the Camino to Rome.
7 -The Via Francigena route is a Council of Europe European Cultural Itinerary since 1994 and Major Cultural Route since 2004.
8 – Once in Rome, you can request your Testimonium, certificate of pilgrimage to Rome.
9 – It is not very clear how many people walk or cycle parts of the Via Francigena each year but it was estimated there were 2,500 in 2012 (Source: Cicerone Guides). * Compared to over 300,000 who reached Santiago de Compostela in 2019 for instance.
10 – The Via Francigena is still very much at a development stage in terms of way markings. Those will vary greatly depending on the countries and regions. It is important to have a good guidebook or route notes and maps with you.
11 – Markings are not as common or uniform as those on the Camino. Markings can be the Francigena pilgrim, the red and white stripes (GR marking) or both combined.
12 – Way-marks become more frequent in Italy and particularly, as you get closer to Rome.
13 – Accommodation particularly in rural areas can be limited.
14 – It will take approximately 3 months to walk the full length of the Via Francigena, the Camino to Rome all the way from Canterbury. It should take a month and a half to cycle the route.
15 – Many Francigena pilgrims choose to do separate sections at a time (1 to 2 weeks for instance). Some of the most popular sections are the Via Francigena across the Alps, walking to St Bernard’s Pass; the section from Lucca to Siena walking in Tuscany and the last stretch walking into Rome.
For more facts about the Via Francigena, or to book your trip, contact our travel specialists
