This brought about an urgent need for the construction of new hostels, monasteries, churches, libraries and thermal baths. Pilgrims take advantage of the network of well constructed Roman roads in order to get to Rome. It is only in the modern day age of migration that pilgrimages to Rome have become more difficult.

Pilgrim Hospice of Great St Bernhard
The hospice has been open daily since the year 1050. It has never closed at any time since the day of its opening. Especially worth seeing are the chapel and small pilgrim museum, in which you can find the written testimonies of gratitude left behind by pilgrims over the many centuries.





Basilica of Sant Andrea (Vercelli)The basilica originates from the 12th century.







Cathedral "San Dannino" (Fidenza)
This cathedral is recognized as a Roman masterpiece. It was built in the 12th century, after the first crusade. Its facade displays stone carved "reliefs" which tell the stories of times gone by. An amazing quality of the reliefs is their ability to bond peoples of different nationalities - it was, and is still, not necessary to understand the native language in order to comprehend the stories depicted. The visual representations say more than a thousand words. Also worth seeing is the cathedral museum, just beside the cathedral. 


Cathedral "S. Moderanno" (Berceto)
This mighty cathedral in the middle of the mountains was also built in the 12th century. The cathedral museum is especially worth seeing, in which is displayed a completely undamaged glass chalice from the period of the beginning of glass art.

Is the pilgrimage an unpredictable journey?


Carrara/MassaBoth cities are renowned for their white marble. Michelangelo came here to select the marble for his sculptures. To this day, artists come here to hack out figures in the white marble.






Cathedral of LuccaThe cathedral, dedicated to St Martin, was built by an Irish pilgrim. When the pilgrim met the Pope, he was sent to Lucca to become the bishop there. On the right side of the main facade there is a labyrinth which shows the wrong ways- both in life, and towards Rome. The legend states that if you can find your way out of the labyrinth, tracing your path with your fingertip, then you will also find your way to Rome.


City Walls (Lucca)
One should definitely visit the city walls. They remain completely intact and walkable, and an evening walk is definitely worth it.

San Giminiano
During the heyday of pilgrimages in the Middle Ages (13th century) the city had as many as nine pilgrim hospices. They were run by religious orders such as the Knights Templar and the Maltese. Amongst the city's special attractions are its high towers. The reliefs on the city cathedral tell stories from both the old and new testaments.


Cathedral of San Maria Assunta (Siena)Pilgrims should definitely visit the cathedral in Siena. With a bit of luck, he/she will receive a special welcome and may even be given a pilgrim's free entry ticket.






Main Square and Town Hall (Siena)The main square (Piazza del Campo) is shell-shaped and a great place to visit in the afternoon. The atmosphere in the square is remarkable. Despite the crowds, the square exhibits a singular air of calm and invites you to watch and enjoy. At the foot of the square lies the mighty Town Hall Tower (Torre di Mangia) dating from the 14th century.

 

Bolosena
The area is not only famous for its circular lake, of the same name, but also for its excellent wines. A story from the 12th century explains...An earl named Graf von Fugger was on his way to visit the Pope in Rome. He was a reputed wine-lover, and for this reason sent out his servants, in advance, to the next town in order for them to try the local wines for him. His servants were instructed to locate the inns which served good quality wine and to mark their walls with the letters EST. In Montefiascone, beside Bolsena (the Via Francigena runs through it), the servants found a wine so good that they wrote EST EST EST on the wall. The earl liked the wine so much, that he drank himself to death. He lies buried in the church at San Flaviano.

Pilgrim Quarter San Pelligrino (Viterbo)It is very rewarding to visit and wander through the old city center. With every step of the way, we discover an abundance of pilgrim history. There is an emphasis on the past here. Unfortunately, not much is done for pilgrims here today.
 

Sutri:
Sutri is a small city before Rome. It has not only a special charm, but also hosts two sights which pilgrims should under no circumstances miss. On one side, there is the amphitheater, carved out of tuff-stone. Another special attraction for pilgrims is the tuff-stone church - formed from a cave in the 12th century, and displaying some very well preserved frescoes. Directly at the entrance, pilgrims are depicted on their way to Rome.

  
 

Valle de Veio
The nature reserve at the gates of Rome is a special treat for pilgrims. One should allow oneself the chance to indulge in this, the final place for peace and quiet before Rome.

 

Monte Mario
It is here where we get our first glimpse of the Eternal City - looking down, it literally lies at our feet.









Visitors are welcome to contribute information on works of art or other cultural memorials on the Via Francigena, in order to help future pilgrims.