Pilgrims' Path

10 Year Old Girl Thruhikes Italy 2017

Rosie and her Dad thruhike Italy through the Dolomites and Gran Paradiso and eventually all the way south through the boot. Passing through most Italian regions. The entire journey was more than 5,000 km.

Walking Orvieto to Rome | Italy's Via Francigena | UTracks

From Canterbury in England to Rome in Italy, the 1900km Francigena Way dates back to the 11th century when pilgrims travelled across Europe on foot to visit the site of Martyrdom of St Peter and St Paul in Rome. View tours here:

With the modernisation of Europe and the shifting of borders, the route became obsolete, until a recent revival of the pilgrimage making it one of the most exciting pilgrimage trails in Europe today.

The Orvieto to Rome trip takes in the last section of the trail through to Rome, passing by ancient relics and hilltop towns.

The first walk from Orvieto takes you down to the charming lake town of Bolsena, then passes through medieval town Montefiascone, known for its great wine, and then continues through woods and by abbeys as you approach the Eternal City of Rome.

En route stay in atmospheric farm houses and small family run hotels, soaking up the fine hospitality that has characterised the route for centuries.

Find the Fidenza to Tuscany Walking Trip information here:

Or discover other ways UTracks lets you explore the Via Francigena here:

UTracks have over 450 trips across the active travel spectrum: from relaxed cycling in the Loire Valley, to discovering iconic Camino trails, to challenging hikes around Mont Blanc.

Walking or cycling, 2-star or 4-star, small group or self guided, land, river or sea - UTracks can help you explore Europe exactly the way you want. Learn more at

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Castles up for longterm lease all over Italy

(23 Jul 2017) LEADIN:
More than 100 Italian castles, villas and monasteries are up for rent to anyone who has enough money to restore them and use them for tourism.
The initiative by the Italian State Property Agency aims to breathe life back into 103 once grand but now derelict buildings across Italy and promote slow tourism in the country.
STORYLINE:
Time stands still at the Blera castle in central Italy.... red drapes with the Torlonia family coat of arms flap on the external walls, hinting at an opulence long gone.
Once the residence of Italian nobility the manor is now home to a horde of pigeons tarnishing its empty rooms.
From the outside the castle appears intact, but a closer look reveals the absence of glass on the windows.
Located 83 km (51 miles) from Rome, the 11th century residence is part of a national project to revamp Italian state properties by loaning them to private citizens.
Castles, villas and monasteries from the north to the south of Italy are among those included in the initiative.
The first phase of the project opened with a public consultation from 9 May to 26 June (2017) and allows interested parties to submit an initial proposal for one of the 103 properties available this year.
The Italian State Property Agency is set to launch formal bids for 40 of the properties on 24th July. Bids for the remaining properties - including Blera castle - are due to be launched in October.
The project - open to Italians as well as foreigners - also includes less precious buildings such as farms, mountain huts and railroad track inspector's houses.
The goal is to promote and restore the country's hidden treasures, those tucked away and miles from the beaten tourist path and the restless crowds of Venice, Florence and Rome.
The properties are located along trekking and biking trails favoured by pilgrims and nature lovers, in an effort to make slow tourism as popular as the slow food brand.
The Blera castle dominates the hamlet of Civitella Cesi that once formed part of once its feudal lands.
Isolated, it is surrounded by woods and agricultural fields, familiar to those who've walked the Via Francigena - an ancient road and pilgrim route running from Canterbury in England to Rome.
The government is not offering any financial assistance with the tenancies, so a sizeable investment will be required to properly upgrade the manor.
Once the castle is restored tourists will be able to mark this spot on their maps for resting, eating and even repairing their bikes, says Roberto Reggi, Italy's State Property Agency Director:
This castle, the castle of Blera, is located along the Via Francigena Way; so once restored it can host pilgrims who walk along the trail every year as well as those who bike it. There are more and more bikers and they're part of this slow, sweet tourism trend that's been growing in recent years.
The buildings included in the state properties agency initiative will be handed over to private business and individuals in two ways.
A so-called enhancement concession can be granted to those with sufficient funds for a full restoration investment and who would then lease the property from 6 to 50 years.
Alternatively a free concession can be given for a total of 18 years to associations and cooperatives with less than 40 members whose projects focus on the construction of trekking, cycling and motorcycling trails.
The luxury of the past is all but lost among the omnipresent dirt, dust and cobwebs.
In one of the rooms, most likely a bedroom in its glory days, black graffiti is scrawled across the walls while electric wiring peeks out of the floor.
In recent years the property was acquired by private individuals before being finally taken over by the state last year.


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Walk the Francigena Way to meet the Pope and receive your Testimonium

CaminoWays.com sister brand FrancigenaWays.com is now offering a brand new package for all walking and pilgrim enthusiasts. Walk the last 100km of the Via Francigena pilgrim trail in Italy to obtain your Testimonium certificate and experience an audience with the Pope.

The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrim trail starting in Canterbury, UK, and finishing in Rome. This trail, covering nearly 2,000km across Europe, is a European Cultural itinerary since 1994.

To obtain the 'Testimonium' or certificate of completion of their pilgrimage to Rome, pilgrims must walk at least the last 100km of the Via Francigena -- from the gorgeous town of Viterbo to Rome.

FrancigenaWays.com 'Testimonium' package is a 7-day walking holiday which begins in medieval Viterbo. Starting at this point ensures that travellers can complete the 100km required to obtain their 'Testimonium' in Rome. An audience with the Pope can also be arranged on Wednesdays, free of charge.

This 7-day walking holiday sees pilgrims travel along footpaths and trails across the scenic and lush Lazio countryside, passing lively small towns and villages where they can enjoy bustling markets, taste delicious Italian food and admire the region's rich heritage and archaeology. Accommodation during the walk will be offered in the form of charming family-run country hotels and farm houses.

Walkers will end their journey at the Vatican in Rome, along the famous 'Via Triumphale', with spectacular views of Rome, the Eternal City. During this last night in Rome walkers will stay in a 17th century Monastery just 500m from St Peter's Square.

For those who are looking for that little bit extra, FrancigenaWays.com can upgrade any package holiday to 4* or 5* accommodation and agriturismos (country guest houses). They can also offer extra nights and airport transfers.

This package is now available with FrancigenaWays.com from just €589pps. Families can avail of 40% off this price for children aged between 3-9 years old, and 20% off this price for children aged between 10-17 years old. Children under 3 travel free. For more information on this Via Francigena walking holiday package.

Price is based on travel during mid and high season (March to October).

Price includes: 3* Accommodation on a half-board basis, luggage transfers and a holiday pack.

Price does not include: Flights, Insurance, Dinner on first or last night

Request a free quote or book today by logging onto francigenaways.com, or calling 353 (0)1-525-28-86.

Pilgergruppe am Pilgerweg Via Francigena, American Pilgrims on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route

Eine amerikanische Pilgergruppe erzählt über Ihre Eindrücke und den Via Francigena, Die magischen Momente auf einer Pilgerreise sind beeindruckend. So etwas passiert im Alltag nicht.
An American group of pilgrims tell about your impressions and the Via Francigena, the magic moments on a pilgrimage are impressive. It does not happen in everyday life.

Mehr unter: eurovia.tv

Pilgerwanderung von Siena nach Bolsena (Oktober 2012)

Im Oktober machte sich heuer wieder eine recht stattliche Schar von Kärntner Pilgern -- 55 Frauen und Männer -- auf, um auf der „Via Francigena, dem ältesten Pilgerweg Europas, einige Etappen zu wandern.

Via Francigena - 1.900 km on foot from Canterbury to Rome

Via Francigena Thru-Hike. 1.900 km on foot from Canterbury to Rome
Video by Evandro Martins Fontes - Freewalker

Fotografado, editado e percorrido a pé por Evandro Martins Fontes em outubro de 2012, maio e setembro de 2013.

Etapas percorridas:

1- Canterbury a Dover - 33 km
1a- Travessia de Ferry entre Dover e Calais.
2- Calais a Wissant - 20 km
3- Wissant a Licques - 37 km
4- Licques a Thérouanne - 38 km
5- Thérouanne a Bruay-le-Buissière - 20 km
6- Bruay-le-Buissière a Arras - 34 km
7- Arras a Bapaume - 27 km
8- Bapaume a Pérrone - 26 km
9- Pérrone a Seraucourt-le-Grand - 34 km
10- Seraucourt-le-Grand a Tergnier - 18 km
11- Tergnier a Laon - 34 km
12- Laon a Berry-au-Bac - 25 km
13- Berry-au-Bac a Reims - 20 km
14- Reims a Trépail - 29 km
15- Trépail a Chalons en Champagne - 26 km
16- Chalons en Champagne a Le Meix Tiercelin - 39 km
17- Le Meix Tiercelin a Brienne-le-Château - 34 km
18- Brienne-le-Château a Bar-sur-Aube - 28 km
19- Bar-sur-Aube a Châteauvillain - 34 km
20- Châteauvillain a Langres - 42 km
21- Langres a Champlitte - 38 km
22- Champlitte a Gy - 44 km
23- Gy a Besançon - 34 km
24- Besançon a Lods - 35 km
25- Lods a Pontalier - 28 km
26- Pontallier a Sainte-Croix - 25 km
27- Sainte-Croix a Orbe - 20 km
28- Orbe a Laussane - 35 km
29- Lausanne a Montreux -32 km
30- Montreux a St. Maurice - 34 km
31- St Maurice a Martigny - 18 km
32- Martigny a Orsières - 20 km
33- Orsières ao Col du Grand San Bernard - 26 km
34- Col du Grand Saint Bernard a Gignod - 22 km
35- Gignod a Nurs - 26 km
36- Nurs a St. Vincent - 20 km
37- St. Vincent a Pont St. Martin - 28 km
38- Pont St. Martin a Ivrea - 22 km
39- Ivrea a Santhiá - 38 km
40- Santhiá a Vercelli - 28 km
41- Vercelli a Robbio - 20 km
42- Robbio a Mortara - 18 km
43- Mortara a Gropello Cairoli -30 km
44- Gropello a Pavia - 20 km
45- Pavia a Santa Cristina - 27 km
46- Santa Cristina a Piacenza - 30 km
47- Piacenza a Fiorenzuola - 41 km
48- Fiorenzuola a Fidenza - 23 km
49- Fidenza a Fornovo di Taro - 35 km
50- Fornovo di Taro a Berceto - 20 km
51- Berceto a Passo della Cisa - 12 km
52- Passo della Cisa a Filattierra - 32 km
53- Fillatierra a Aulla - 20 km
54- Aulla a Avenza - 30 km
55- Avenza a Pietrasanta - 25 km
56- Pietrasanta a Lucca - 35 km
57- Lucca a Altopascio - 17 km
58- Altopascio a San Miniato Alto - 25 km
59- San Miniato Alto a San Gimignano - 37 km
60- San Gimignano a Monteriggioni - 25 km
61- Monteriggioni a Siena - 20 km
62- Siena a Buonconvento - 30 km
63- Buonconvento a Bagno Vignoni - 25 km
64- Bagno Vignoni a Radicofani - 25 km
65- Radicofani a Acquapendente - 25 km
66- Acquapendente a Bolsena - 21 km
67- Bolsena a Viterbo - 33 km
68- Viterbo a Sutria - 40 km
69- Sutria a Isola Farnese - 32 km
70- Isola Farnese a Roma - 20 km

Meus agradecimentos aos artistas/músicos:

1- Vivaldi (Credo - Et Carnatus Est)/
2- Jahzzar (Gloom)/
3- Au fond du car (Roses face B)/
4- Damiano Baldoni (Momento di solitudine)/
5- Dirk Geiger (Who is France)/
6- Vulvinia and Jambonstar (Hymne à la joie).
7- Jarby MacCoy (13 dialogue avec Jo, 01 Plusiers lettres, Le monde entier tressaille).
8- Hichaim Chahidi (Free Switzerland).
9- The Silent Partner (Roses - Intro).
10- Reed Miller (Ev'ry valley shall be exalted/Messiah, Ev'ry valley).
11- Damiano Baldoni (Andante in re minore).
12- Laso Halo (One Jesus).
13- Bennett/Bravo/Mehrl/Olivera/Taveira/Italiano (Mimo).
14- Tha Silent Partner (Hard 2 live with).
15- Jarby McCoy (Harmonica K).
16- Italian Village Music and Dance (Tarantella Lucana).
17- Dom La Nena (Llegare).
18- New Millennium String Band (Shastakovich).
19- Emanuele Costantini (Ita Meda - Milano - Ambience).
20- Wayne Kinos (Pilgrimage Awe).

Via Francigena Camino to Rome - Viterbo to Rome, Italy - Unravel Travel TV

Via Francigena Camino to Rome – Section 16 with FrancigenaWays.com Walk the last 100km of the Via Francigena, starting in medieval Viterbo and finishing in Rome, to get your ‘Testimonium’ of pilgrimage to the Eternal City. Follow Roman roads, footpaths, forest trails and dirt tracks across the scenic, hilly and vibrant green Lazio countryside. Explore pretty towns and villages en-route with their street markets and lively buzz. Stay in country-side hotels and agriturismos.

Before starting your walk on the Camino to Rome, you should take some time to explore Viterbo’s charming old town with its Papal palace (Palazzo dei Papi), the cathedral, quaint Medieval quarter and many churches, squares and cute little lanes.

In Rome, FrancigenaWays.com have a selection of property options for your stay. For example a 17th C. Monastery 500m from St Peter, with a garden terrace with views across the city for a relaxing evening. The last walking day will see you arriving to the Vatican along the famous ‘Via Triumphale’, with sweeping views of Rome from one of its highest hills. FrancigenaWays.com can also arrange a free Papal audience on Wednesdays. Once you have arrived in the Eternal City FrancigenaWays.com recommend you spend a couple of days to visit one of Europe’s most fascinating cities and its famous landmarks: the Colosseum, Castel Sant Angelo, the Trevi Fountain and so much more.

FrancigenaWays.com is a walking and cycling holiday specialist with in depth knowledge on the St Francis Way and the Via Francigena, the Camino to Rome. However our real specialty is building your holiday around you! Our alternative and active holidays break away from the usual beach and resort trips — giving you a real opportunity to experience nature and the local culture.

FrancigenaWays.com also organise walking holidays on Camino de Santiago through as well as many other exciting walking trails in Europe and beyond on The latest addition is to the walking holiday experience is offering fantastic cycling and walking holidays in Ireland.



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Francigena Update 81 | Bolsena to Viterbo | 36 km

EfrenGonzalez.com

First double stage in a while and under the rain the entire day. Everything was wet but luckily this time the camera help up.

I decide to stick to the road as the trail was full of mud. The first half was uphill all the way to Montefiascone where I took a 2-hour break at a cafe dripping wet from head to toe.

Montefiascone happens to be the town 100km from the Vatican which I'm sure makes it a good starting point for pilgrims.

The second half of the day flew by. I came across thermal baths free of charge for pilgrims and decided to take a dip in the hot pools under the cold rain.

I stayed at beautiful B&B in the historic center of Viterbo but really didn't get a chance to explore it. Waited an hour to get a table at the hottest pizza place in town and had the biggest pizza of my life. Of course, I took leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Daily Cost Breakdown

€02.45 Breakfast
€05.30 Snack
€08.50 Lunch
€03.00 Laundry
€05.00 Snack
€16.30 Dinner
v25.00 AirB&B
________________
€65.55 Total

Pelgrimstocht naar Rome etappe 28 Viterbo - Vetralla

we liepen weer een stukje richting Roma over het pelgrimspad: Via Francigena

Josquin at Orvieto Cathedral - Luca Signorelli & Beato Angelico

Josquin at Orvieto Cathedral - Luca Signorelli & Beato Angelico

Hans Meijer - Lute & Italian vihuela


Josquin des Prez was a singer at Milan Cathedral in 1459, remaining there until December 1472. By July 1474 he was one of the 'cantori di capella' in the chapel of Galeazzo Maria Sforza. Between 1476 and 1504 he passed into the service of Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, whom he probably accompanied in Rome in 1484. His name first appears among the papal chapel choir in 1486 and recurs sporadically; he had left the choir by 1501. In this Italian period Josquin reached artistic maturity.

He then went to France (he may also have done so while at the papal chapel) and probably served Louis XII's court. Although he may have had connections with the Ferrara court (through the Sforzas) in the 1480s and 1490s, no formal relationship with the court is known before 1503 when, for a year, he was maestro di cappella there and the highest-paid singer in the chapel's history. There he probably wrote primarily masses and motets. An outbreak of plague in 1503 forced the court to leave Ferrara (Josquin's place was taken by Obrecht, who fell victim in 1505). He was in the north again, at Notre Dame at Condé, in 1504; he may have been connected with Margaret of Austria's court, 1508-11. He died in 1521. Several portraits survive, one attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.

Josquin's works gradually became known throughout western Europe and were regarded as models by many composers and theorists. Petrucci's three books of his masses (1502-14) reflect contemporary esteem, as does Attaingnant's collection of his chansons (1550). Several laments were written on his death (including Gombert's elegy Musae Jovis), and as late as 1554 Jacquet of Mantua paid him tribute in a motet. He was praised by 16th-century literary figures (including Castiglione and Rabelais) and was Martin Luther's favourite composer.

Josquin was the greatest composer of the high Renaissance, the most varied in invention and the most profound in expression.

Francigena Update 80 | Acquapendente to Bolsena | 23 km

EfrenGonzalez.com

Another wet and windy day. The forecast is not looking good, but then again the app is always wrong.

the walk was pleasant and surprisingly flat or downhill for the most part yet I took the road at different points to avoid unnecessary detours.

Took out some much-needed cash and went to the lake to get my feet wet. What a magnificent sunrise I witnessed.

Dinner at a peculiar restaurant. It's a bar a bookstore and a restaurant all into one. The chef was a young lady who spoke multiple languages including Spanish. Needless to say, we talked for a while.

it was four Italian pilgrims and I. I'm beginning to understand the language more and its growing on me.

I'm staying with the nuns at Casa di Pereghiera Santa Cristina with five other pilgrims including a lady who snored so bad I thought she was going to choke.

Daily Cost Breakdown

Breakfast Included
€13.50 Lunch
€02.50 Snack
€18.00 Dinner
€10.00 Ostello
_______________
€44.00 Total

Pope takes part in the procession of Corpus Christi in the streets of Rome

Rome, Italy, Jun 23, 2011 / 04:51 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Eucharist assimilates man into the divine life of Jesus, enabling him to more closely follow in Christ's footsteps and become a gift to others, Pope Benedict XVI said in his homily for the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 23.

This is the transformation that the world has most need of, because it redeems from within, opening it up to the size of the the kingdom of heaven, Pope Benedict declared.

He was celebrating Mass in his cathedral -- the basilica of St. John Lateran -- before leading the traditional Corpus Christi procession through the streets of Rome to the basilica of St. Mary Major.

The Feast of Corpus Christi celebrates Jesus' gift of his body and blood in the Eucharist.

It all starts, you might say, from the heart of Christ, who at the Last Supper on the eve of his passion, thanked and praised God and, in doing so, with the power of his love has transformed the meaning of death, the Pope said in his homily.

Catholics believe that the bread and wine offered by Christ at the Last Supper literally became his body and blood, and that this same miracle is repeated every time Mass is celebrated.

For the sake of love, said the Pope, Christ takes all the passion, with its labors and it violence, to death on a cross.

This sacrificial love is Christ's template for the Christian life, he said.

Everything goes through the logic of the patient and humble grain of wheat that is broken to form the logic of faith that moves mountains with the gentle power of God.

For this reason, the sacrifice of Eucharist is given to the world to give every person the possibility of salvation.

For God wants to continue to renew humanity, history and the cosmos through this chain of transformations, of which the Eucharist is the sacrament.

To better explain the effect the Eucharist has on a person, the Pope quoted the 5th century theologian St. Augustine: I am the food of the strong; grow and you shall feed on me. But you will not convert me into yourself like bodily food, but you shall be changed into me.

The Eucharist goes beyond uniting believers to Christ and helps them open up to others, so that we are no longer divided but one in him, the Pope said.

Those who recognize Jesus in the sacred also recognize him in brethren who are suffering, hungry and thirsty, who are a stranger, naked, sick, imprisoned, he explained.

This evening's ceremonies finished with a Corpus Christi procession along Rome's Via Merulana, which links the basilicas of St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major.

The procession was led Pope Benedict, who was driven atop a canopied float and flanked by candle-bearing acolytes. The Pope knelt in adoration in front of the Eucharist for the whole procession.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims processed behind the Pope, reciting the Rosary and singing Eucharistic hymns as they as walked the mile long route in the warm Roman night.

The procession concluded outside St. Mary Major, where the Pope led a service of Benediction that finished with a blessing of the pilgrims, now kneeling, with the Eucharist.

Via Francigena: What to Pack?

Steve shows what he will be taking on his 1,100 mile trek on the Via Francigena from Canterbury England to Rome Italy!

Walking for Peace: story of a 5000-km pilgrimage

From Nov. 2001 to Dec. 2002, modern pilgrims Mony Dojeiji and Alberto Agraso walked from Rome to Jerusalem, on a 5000-km journey that lasted 13 months and saw them walking through 13 countries.

They had no sponsors, nothing booked in advance, no concrete plans and no marked path to follow. In the tradition of ancient pilgrimages, they would call on churches, monasteries and spiritual centers for shelter.

Here, they share their story and answer questions at the First Unitarian Church of Ottawa.

For more information about their walk (including maps, photos and short stories) and to download a free excerpt of their international award-winning memoir WALKING FOR PEACE, AN INNER JOURNEY, please visit walkingforpeace.com.

Tours in the Tuscan hills: on the Via Francigena

It was a strong feeling to walk in the same path where many years ago countless pilgrims walked from the North to Rome.
A stage of the famous Via Francigena passes close to us: Fignano is less than 2 miles from where we started.
A walk of about 10 km, surrounded by a breathtaking view.


More on the Via Francigena here:

This is a way to show you something about us: we produce wine, olive oil and we rent apartments, but more of this we are 4 brothers with our hobbies, with our passions.

We will post some videos with something about us.

Hoping that you'll enjoy them.

We are not chefs, not musicians... we do only for fun :-)

find us also on Facebook:

web site:

Francigena Update 76 | Ponte d'Arbia to San Quirico | 26 km

EfrenGonzalez.com

20 pilgrims and one bathroom... I left the Ostello at the crack of dawn. The light and clouds were beautiful but soon it started to rain, and it remained that way for the majority of the day.

walked mostly on the road for the better part of the morning as the path kept going over the hills for no apparent reason.

I was surprised to find Angie from CA. We have a common FB friend and I was on the lookout for her for the last couple of days.

San Quirico has two pilgrim ostello, I decided to stay at the church. it was a full house once again, and we cooked ourselves a pilgrim's meal with four bottles of wine... I had one all to myself.

Daily Cost Breakdown

€06.10 Breakfast
€03.20 Market
€13.00 Lunch
€02.80 Snack
€10.00 Dinner
€12.50 Ostello
_________________
€47.60 Total

Francigena Update 83 | Sutri to Campagnano 24 km

EfrenGonzalez.com

For my Spanish speaking friends Burro is Italian for butter lol I know I was laughing my ass off too.

The ruins of an old Roman amphitheater outside of Sutri was a highlight of the trip.

Had a mid-morning snack at a peculiar bar in Formello. Saw seven other pilgrims including an old dude (bad ass) who started in Canterbury two weeks after me.

The path took me to some waterfalls at Treja where I had lunch and left my name carved on a dead tree. If you find yourself there one day, send me a picture.

Champagnon had a bad vibe, I'm sorry but its true. Full of gangster looking dudes up to no good. Had dinner at a pizza place and bought supplies at the market for tomorrow.

Daily Cost Breakdown

Breakfast Included

€04.30 Snack
€05.75 Market
€04.50 Laundry
€02.50 Snack
€03.50 Dinner
€10.00 Ostello
_______________
€30.55 Total