The Via Francigena in Tuscany: 28.000 steps between art and history

The Via Francigena is a group of roads and trails that since ancient times were walked by pilgrims travelling to Rome. The name “Via Francigena”, derives from the word “Francia”, which in Italian designates the French territories, that Via Francigena crosses. The route starts in Canterbury and arrives in Rome, according to records left by Bishop Sigeric, in the year 980. The Via Francigena in Tuscany has a length of 394 km, starting from Passo della Cisa adjoins Lazio near Ponte a Rigo., continues along the Via Francigena in Tuscany through towns, cities, monasteries, centres of trade and religious colonies, some of which were born and developed due to the presence of Via Francigena.

The history of Via Francigena reflects the history of Tuscany and its inhabitants.

The Via Francigena in Tuscany: the stages

The Via Francigena in Tuscany, begins by crossing the Bardone Mountain. Passes through Lunigiana, arriving at Aulla, where you have the abbey of St. Caprasio, from there continues to Luni, where the famous remains of the ancient Roman city and the beautiful churches of the Via Francigena are located. In Tuscany, past Lunigiana's territories, the route runs along the coast of Versilia. You then arrive at Pietrasanta, where you can visit the beautiful churches of St. Giovanni and St. Felicita. Continuing we arrive to Lucca, where it is recommended to visit the Church of St. Paulinus, which contains the 15th century painting "The Coronation of Mary” which features an image of the ancient city walls. From Lucca, the pilgrim arrives at Altopascio and from there goes on to San Miniato, a small village that overlooks the plains of Tuscany. Continuing, Via Francigena reaches San Gimignano, the village of towers, where you can visit the Palazzo del Podestà, the Collegiate and the Fortress of Montestaffoli, where you can appreciate an overview of the city, of the route through Tuscany and of its hills. The Via Francigena in Tuscany, passes through incredible and fascinating towns which still seem to lies in Dante's time. A good example is Monteriggioni. Created as a fortress, hosting a garrisonn, it controlled the Via Francigena and the Elsa and Staggia Valleys. Continuing onward through Tuscany you reach Siena, where you cannot miss the opportunity to pay a visit to the “Complesso di Santa Maria della Scala” and the adjacent church of St. Giacono, where are the frescoes of the "Miracolo dell'Impiccagione dei Pellegrini”. The last part of Via Francigena in Tuscany passes towns such as Buonconvento, San Quirico d'Orcia and Radicofani.