Via Francigena

The route of the historic long-distance hiking trail, also known as the Franconian Way, is based on the details of Archbishop Sigerich of Canterbury. He recorded his traveled route in the year 990 after visiting the Pope in Rome to receive his bishopric. Meanwhile, the Italian section counts among the most popular long-distance hiking trails in Italy alongside the Francis Way and the Benedict Way. After numerous pilgrims traveled the route to Rome from Great Britain or the Frankish Empire in the Middle Ages, the pilgrimage movement faded around 1700 and became popular again only in recent decades. The still relatively unknown Via Francigena stands out, in contrast to the Camino de Santiago in Spain, by allowing pilgrims to truly journey alone with their thoughts on large parts of the route. The Via Francigena starts at the cathedral of Canterbury and leads through Kent, the 'Garden of England', to the chalk cliffs of Dover. The English Channel is crossed by ferry, and the walk