Latest News – – Via Francigena

Recovering skills - the study of monuments and the promotion of the Via Francigena

This weekend a workshop on the art of stone working, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and pending confirmation of university credit for students, will begin in Cassio di Terenzo. The architect Del Lesto (Manifattura Urbana) stated: "We are challenging young people to open their minds to the future." President Tedeschi (AEVF): "MU understands the values of Culture and Heritage".

A task force of volunteers on the Via Francigena

The course "Accommodation/Support on the Via Francigena", organized by the two municipal administrations of Pont Saint Martin and Donnas, and led by Laura Decanale, Teresa Charles and architect Silvia Stroppa, has now finished.

XX anniversary

Europe Day - celebration of the European Routes

"The Via Francigena, Way of Peace" is the title of an international forum, organized by the European Association of the Vie Francigene, to celebrate 15 years since its founding. On Europe Day, 9 May, AEVF wanted to remember the importance of the Way that unites the people of Europe, from the north to the Mediterranean.

The Cathedral of Canterbury © Tony Page

Charity walk on the Via Francigena UK, 16 April, 2016

The first annual charity walk on the UK section of the VF, Canterbury to Dover, held on 16 April, was a great success. The event was organised by Julia Peters, Canterbury Representative of the CPR, and Martina Gannon, who had walked with Julia for the last 100 KM of the VF to Rome in 2015. 44 individuals walked the full 20 miles, raising £2,100 for the charity Save the Children.

Working session at the European Institute of Cultural Routes for the Via Francigena Ways

Two important meetings took place on Friday 18 March at the European Institute of Cultural Route (EICR) in Luxembourg. This working sessions were focused on the extension of the certification of the Via Francigena in the South and the cooperation between European Francigena and Romea Ways.

Partner from Turkey experiencing the Via Francigena

The European Association of the Via Francigena and the network of Turkey’s cultural routes gathered within "Turkey's Culture Routes Society" are getting to the heart of the project “From Europe to Turkey on Foot”, co-funded by the European Program “Civil Society Dialogue between EU and Turkey IV–Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments”.

Public consultation to finalize the manual on Europen Common path standards for the Via Francigena

The European Association of the Via Francigena is launching a public consultation open to all public and private organizations as well as experts involved in the enhancement of the Via Francigena in England, Switzerland, France and Italy, in order to collect remarks and eventual suggestions on quality standards along the Via.

The digital representation of the cultural heritage along the Francigena: a case study by the University of Lille

In recent years, new forms of representation of cultural heritage have spread due to the use of digital technology. Even pilgrims on the Via Francigena, thanks to their smartphones and tablets, share their walking experiences day after day on social media sites and populate their Facebook account, Instagram or Twitter with photos, videos or with comments.

The Pleasures of Piacenza and the Via Francigena

For pilgrims who once travelled along the path of the Via Francigena, Piacenza was a resting place where pilgrims could find assistance and refreshments. The following is an itinerary through Piacenza, outlining the places and streets that were once walked by Christians on their way to Rome:

Via Francigena: Call for paper

A Call for paper has been launched in the frame of the ALMATOURISM Journal of Tourism, Culture and Territorial Development. It is focused on the "Via Francigena: the long way of Peace among the European Landscape"

‘Take a Step for Children’ on the Via Francigena, Canterbury to Dover

Julia Peters, Canterbury Representative of the London-based Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome, is organising a fundraising challenge on the UK section of the Via Francigena, to take place 16 April, 2016.

Via Francigena and Turkey's Cultural Routes. A new cooperation project kicked-off

The project entitled “Europe to Turkey on Foot”, co-funded by the European Program “Civil Society Dialogue between EU and Turkey IV–Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments” started on 15^th February.

The Belgian Association of the Friends of Via Francigena

On 21 September, 2014 The Belgian Association of the Friends of Via Francigena, with the acronym GRAND in Belgian was created. GRAND is a very active association that successfully cooperates with the AEVF.

Action Plan 2016

The European Committee for technical interregional coordination met in Canterbury on 17 and 18 December 2015 and outlined the Action Plan 2016 detailed here below:

The Guide on European Standard for the Via Francigena

The VIIIth meeting between the European regions of the Via Francigena met in Canterbury on 17 and 18 December, coordinated by the European Association of the Vie Francigene with many international delegations present. The event was hosted by the Canterbury City Council, a member of the AEVF since 2005.

New Section of Francigena into Rome Opens

The stretch of the Via Francigena from Campagnano Romano, site of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sorbo in the Veio Park archaeological area, to the town of Formello, is now open to pilgrims.

The Scientific Committee of European Association Vie Francigene will meet in Monteriggioni

On the occasion of the Forum "Les Chemins de la Via Francigena" that will take place in Monteriggioni (30th January), the Scientific Committee of European Association Vie Francigene will meet for the first time to start research projects and studies on pilgrimage routes, landscapes and policies for sustainable local development and to support the European cultural itineraries.

New Gadgets along the Via Francigena

In response to the growing demand of walkers, tourists and pilgrims, the company Idea-Marketing of Rivergaro (PC), in collaboration with the European Association of the Via Francigena, is launching a new line of exclusive products with the official brand AEVF, dedicated to those who love traveling slow along the Francigena Ways and Cultural Routes.

Tasty stop-offs along the Via Francigena. Discovering P.D.O and P.G.I. products

A new guide to discover the P.D.P and P.G.I products along the Via Francigena. This publication is realized as a special of the Magazine "Via Francigena and the European Cultural Routes".

Les Chemins de la Via Francigena - Jubuleum 2016

In 2016 the Jubilee launched by the Francis Pope and the « Year of walking » launched by the Italian Ministry of Culture and Tourism will be celebrate. At the same time the European Association of Via Francigena will celebrate the 15^th anniversary. An important Forum will take place in Monteriggioni on 30th January 2016.