Via Romea: Wernigerode - Hasselfelde

This resin stage through Saxony-Anhalt will especially please pilgrims accustomed to mountains - hiking along briskly flowing streams with clear water in valleys with steep flanks, ascents and descents, and more panoramic views than in flatlands. The route takes a wide curve, because in a straight line we would have to cross the elongated and branched Rappbode reservoir - and this experience does not belong to the category of pilgrimage routes.

Note(s)
The «Via Romea» bears various names, such as «Via Romea Stadensis» or «Via Romea Germanica». This pilgrimage route runs from northern Germany southwards over the Alpine pass «Brenner» to Rome. The route traces 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 allows 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).