Via Francigena

The first written record of the route dates back to 990 AD, when Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury documented the 79 stages of his return journey from Rome in a diary, effectively establishing the historic itinerary of the route.

Since 1994, the Via Francigena has been recognized as a Cultural Route by the Council of Europe, a designation that places it, along with the Camino de Santiago, among the routes that symbolize European culture. Today it stretches for about 3,200 kilometers, from Canterbury to Santa Maria di Leuca, crossing four countries and numerous Italian regions. It is a journey that combines landscape, history, and spirituality, but it is also one of the most comprehensive hiking experiences in Europe.

In Emilia-Romagna, the Via Francigena crosses the Piacenza plain and the Apennine passes in the Parma area, divided into six stages along the main route and also including the historic Taro Variant. The route enters the region at the Guado di Sigerico crossing on the Po River—the only river crossing on the entire route from Canterbury to Rome—which is now served by a river ferry. From here, the route passes through the towns of Calendasco, Rottofreno, Piacenza, Pontenure, Cadeo, Fiorenzuola d’Arda, and Alseno, then continuing through the Parma area via Fidenza, Noceto, Medesano, Fornovo di Taro, Terenzo, and Berceto. A historic alternative route starts in Parma, runs along the Taro River Park, and rejoins the main route at Fornovo di Taro.

Along the way, you’ll encounter places of great charm, such asthe Cistercian Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba, Paderna Castle—an example of fortified rural architecture—and the Cathedral of Fidenza, a Romanesque masterpiece that served as a landmark for pilgrims for centuries.

The Apennine village of Berceto, with its cathedral of Lombard origin, marks the final stop before the Cisa Pass, a historic mountain pass between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany and one of the most iconic sites along the entire Via Francigena.

The Emilia-Romagna section of the route does not present significant technical challenges, but it does require good physical conditioning due to the length of the stages and the elevation changes in the Apennine section. It is fully marked with the official Via Francigena signage and passes through an area with a well-established hospitality network, including hostels, parish facilities, and certified stopover points. GPS tracks and a network of services dedicated to pilgrims are also available along the route, making this section ideal for those seeking an authentic experience blending nature, culture, and spirituality.

The Via di Linari branches off from the Via Francigena; this ancient route connected Fidenza to Lucca via the Apennine mountain passes, offering an alternative of extraordinary natural and historical value.

The Via Francigena is part of the Emilia-Romagna Pilgrimage Routes and Trails network.