Pilgrimage Routes of Italy – The Way of Saint Francis and the Via Francigena

Ciao a tutti!
My name is Antonio, and today I want to tell you about the roads that people don’t just walk – they live. Roads where every stone keeps the trace of countless footsteps, and the wind seems to whisper the prayers of past centuries.

Via Francigena – a road through the ages

This is one of the oldest pilgrimage routes in Europe. The Via Francigena stretches from Canterbury in England all the way to Rome, passing through the Alps, Tuscany, and Lazio.
When you walk along these paths, you realize that the journey is not about distance – it’s about a state of mind.
I once walked a section in Tuscany, where narrow paths wind through vineyards and old chapels. Sometimes you meet other travelers – some walk for faith, others for peace and silence. But all of them speak the same language: the language of the road.

The Way of Saint Francis – a journey of the heart

If the Via Francigena leads you to Rome, the Way of Saint Francis takes you to Assisi – a city where holiness meets simplicity. This route passes through the green hills of Umbria, past monasteries, olive groves, and quiet villages where time seems to stand still.
I remember once stopping by a monastery and hearing the monks sing. The sun was setting, and in that moment I realized – it’s for moments like this that we walk.

Italy – where the road becomes revelation

Our pilgrimage routes are more than historical trails. They are invitations to slow down, to listen to silence, and to remember what truly matters.
Here, every turn feels like a page from an ancient book, and every stop – a small miracle.