The oldest Christian Pilgrim Route in Europe
The modern day Via Francigena has, surprisingly, a down side. Until the introduction of mass transportation methods, the Via was the main transport route between Rome and the rest of Europe. In 1994 the Via Francigena was declared a European road of cultural importance by the European Commission.
The Via Francigena was mentioned in written texts as early as 876 A.D. and is the most important pilgrim route from northern Europe to Rome.
The oldest English travel reports date back to the 3rd century and in the year 996, Bishop Sigeric of Canterbury compiled a detailed map of the pilgrim route, based on his diary recordings made along the way. During the crusades, the Via Francigena was an important route and Rome was an important stopping place for pilgrims and riders on the way to Jerusalem.
What is the Via Francigena about?
Emperor Constantine
In past times, the Via was travelled by nobility, dignitaries and future kings - all on their way to Rome to officially receive their titles. Since the edict of Milan in 313 by emperor Constantine, declaring Christianity the official religion in the Roman Empire, the Via has been travelled by believers, emperors, street thieves, farm workers, traders and beggars - all underway to the city hosting the grave of Peter the apostle. They made the Via Francigena the most important transport route in Europe.
Cathedrals and Hospices
Along the way on the Via Francigena, we find world famous cathedrals, monasteries, hospices and other buildings which to this day serve as spiritual and cultural centers (for example, the cathedral in Siena). Even though, now years later, it may be difficult for us to understand the excess of relics we find before us, they were at one time a part of the pilgrim's daily life, just like accommodation in hospices and hospitals.
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Via Francigena 
