Tag: Italiano

“On the 17^th June I walked in the second of four Francigena Marathons for this year.

I began in Avigliana near Turin, then ascended to the lofty heights of Sacra di San Michele, on to Certosa di Banda, and finally ending in Susa.

To say this was a strenuous marathon is putting it mildly! I was feeling very happy at the outset walking through the ancient Piazza Conte Rosso in Avigliana in the shadow of the ancient ruins of its castle. Then we walked around the Lakes of Avigliana, into a forest and through fields, near Bertassi, filled with bright red flowers rivalled in colour only by the brilliance of our red t-shirts.

Arriving at Sant’Ambrogio di Torina I began to notice that many people were looking skywards. Then I realized they were gazing at our first destination – Sacra di San Michele at the top of Mount Pirchiriano! Little did I realize that we were about to ascend almost 1000 m to this sacred destination. And so a very steep, almost perpendicular ascent began! I was amazed by the continuous stream of 2250 bright red pilgrims all stressing, straining and winding towards our first 10 km destination. 

I have to admit I stopped and sat on every rock that looked like a seat. In the midst of my suffering up this mountain, I was constantly aware of the presence of many large crucifixes. We were indeed walking the Stations of the Cross! And I was very pleased to see the 14^th crucifix knowing our suffering might soon draw to a close. It was definitely a pleasure to arrive at Sacra di San Michele and sit down on a rock and enjoy a banana, cake and a fresh bottle of water. But, then we had to face the steep descent through streams and over the ancient Roman and medieval cobble stones. With great care I made my way down amidst streams of bright red t-shirts. And I was very grateful to arrive at the end in one piece.

The marathon continued through magnificent countryside, surrounded by snow clad Alps, brightly coloured spring flowers and gently flowing streams. We walked through another steep section before arriving at Certosa di Banda after 21 km of walking. To my surprise, at Villar Focchiardo there was the familiar glow of bright red t-shirts in an enormous room filled with pilgrims all resting, eating bowls of pasta, cakes, fruit, coffee and celebrating their achievement.

Feeling somewhat tired, I was very happy to take the bus rather than walk the extra 21 km to Susa. And here, in the middle of an ancient Roman Amphitheatre, I very proudly received my certificate for the marathon. This marathon was a peculiar mix of extreme fatigue and pleasure. I truly felt the exhilaration of the 2250 strong crowd united in purpose. And the feeling of making a sacred journey in the footsteps of countless pilgrims was always with me, especially with the Stations of the Cross. But, the history and culture experienced at each destination is totally awesome. I am filled with a desire to return to these places that I could only catch a glimpse of whilst walking!

A huge thank you to Maurizio Bottallo, Leonardo Zappalà and staff for keeping us safe and fed. And I look forward to arriving in Pietrasanta on 30^th September for the third marathon. 

You can go to http://carolneville.com.au/photojournal/ for more pictures of the marathon or discover some of the history of this part of the via Francigena at  http://viafrancigenatours.com/category/sigeric/“.

Carol Neville 

The brave cyclists of “Roulons pour l’Espoir” have inaugurated a commemorative plaque of their journey of August 2017, in aid of sick children. It can be found in front of the hospital in Pontarlier, the starting point of the pilgrimage that brought them to Rome by bike.

The association, “Chemins de Compostelle et de Rome Bourgogne Franche-Comté” (ACCR-BFC), involved in the project from the beginning, supported the creation of the plaque and added the pilgrim symbol of the Via Francigena.

The event continued with a religious event in the church of St. Bénigne, with father Anthony Chopard blessing the cyclists, who arrived from Besançon in the afternoon in their tour of the Franche-Comté, the new challenge they have undertaken to raise money to expand the “House of families” of the Jean Minjoz Besançon hospital.

The cyclists will continue to Morteau, Valdahon, Vesoul, Luxeuil les Bains among other places to return to Besançon on the evening of 13^th July at the “Maison des familles”, the end of their 2018 challenge.

The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) met the mayor of Montefiascone, Massimo Paolini, and the delegate for the Via Francigena, Elisabetta Ferrari.

The interview, which took place at the Town Hall, was an opportunity to update and compare the planning of the Via Francigena, above all in the Lazio area, where walkers and pilgrims are constantly on the road.

Tuscia is one of the most characteristic territories of the entire European route, rich in history, environmental beauties and ancient tracts of Roman paving. “A common goal is to increase the value of the entire Lazio stretch and the last 100km of the route, as well as a structured network of the activities of individual municipalities to ensure high quality hospitality, maintenance and animation of the route” said EAVF President, Massimo Tedeschi.

During the day, President Tedeschi and EAVF director, Luca Bruschi, met the new Mayor of Viterbo – another symbolic city of the Via Francigena – Giovanni Arena, together with Senator Umberto Fusco, former councillor of the municipality, to testify his support for the development of the route in the stretch of Tuscia that coincides with a prestigious thermal break point.