Via Romea: Gotha - Friedrichroda

This stage leads back into hilly terrain and is characterized by the fact that it can easily be covered by a tram, namely the "Thüringerwaldbahn". This runs from Gotha and travels through the area on the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest up to Tabarz, mostly in close proximity to our path. The Friedrichsroda station is just under 4 kilometers before the final station.
Those who can resist this temptation will take the approximately 26 kilometers of the route under their shoes.

Note(s)
The "Via Romea" has various names, such as "Via Romea Stadensis" or "Via Romea Germanica". This pilgrimage route leads from northern Germany southwards over the Alpine pass "Brenner" to Rome. The route goes back to Abbot Albert of Stade, who set out for Rome in 1236 to obtain permission from Pope Gregory IX for stricter church discipline.
However, this north-south connection also allows pilgrims coming from the east to turn southwards towards Rome, just as it enables pilgrims coming from the north to turn westwards towards Santiago de Compostela.

See also
More about this Italian/German project at www.viaromeadistade.eu/ (Italy) and at www.viaromea.de (Germany).