Via Francigena

As Via Francigena, also Francigena or Via Francigena, the old highways are referred to in the broader sense, the pilgrims on their way to Rome francs to the tomb of the Apostles Peter and Paul, took advantage. Often there is also this - based on the goal - the name " Via Romea ". The reconstruction of the Via Francigena today is based primarily on data from the Archbishop of Canterbury Sigerich, the pilgrimage to Rome in 990.

2.1 deportation to Sigerich compared with today's route
2.2 Infrastructure for pilgrims

History of the pilgrimage routes to Rome

Comparing the sources and the many directions, one finds that the only correct " Via Francigena " does not exist, any more than there is only one Way of St. James. As the " Via Francigena ", the path system called that leads to Rome. Existing trade and military roads (eg Via Aurelia, Via Emilia, Via Cassia ) were used by large flows of merchants, pilgrims and crusaders also from northern and central Europe. They gave these itineraries called " Via Francigena " or the " Via Francigena ". Undetectable appeared the name " Via Francigena " for the first time in 876 in the Actum Clusio the Abbey of San Salvatore al Monte Amiata (Tuscany) on.

Notes on pilgrimages to Rome in ancient times

As with the Milan agreement in 313 Christianity in the Roman Empire is approved as a religion, it is likely that first pilgrimages have taken place at the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul. This first pilgrims were the good infrastructure of the Roman road network with its xenodochia, ancient hospitals, or its Mansiones, use the ancient hostels. In the itinerary of Burdigalense (334 ) calls an unknown Christian pilgrims from today's Bordeaux, traveling by land to Jerusalem, a large number of appropriate accommodation. On the way back from the Holy Land and the city of Rome is one of his tour stops. Evidence of these early pilgrims iron could be a discovered in ancient Ostia building. The term " Basilica Cristiana " a pilgrim hostel from the early 5th century, there is suspected that could be used by pilgrims who traveled across the sea to Rome.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire touring the pilgrim becomes more complicated. Not only that roads and bridges crumble, that some hostels no longer be operated, and the lack of safety on the streets seems the number of pilgrims to fall sharply.

Travel reports from the period of the early Middle Ages to Sigerich

One of the oldest travel reports, probably from the 9th century, is from the English monk Gildas the Wise (ca. 500-570 ), who embarks on a pilgrimage to Rome around the year 530. Under the title "Pro Itineris et navigii prosperitate - For security on land and at sea " is he a pilgrim prayer narrated that vividly describes the dangers and troubles of pilgrims everyday.

In the " Vita Sancti Wilfrithi ", created in the early 8th century, the eventful life of the English bishop and saint Wilfrid is told. There are also portrayed his three trips to Rome. He made the first journey as pilgrims in the period 653-658. His second trip to Rome 678-680 had the aim to gain support against his removal as bishop the Pope. 704 he was again in Rome in order to obtain the withdrawal of his excommunication by an English Synod to the Pope. In addition to a description of the travel risks is also said that Wilfrid visited the tombs of the Apostles and relics brought to England.

One of the great Romreisenden in the 8th century is the holy Boniface ( Wynfreth ). A total of three times he travels to fetch repeatedly by the Popes order and confirmation of his missionary work in Frisia, Hesse, Thuringia and Bavaria to Rome. So he is 719 in Rome and receives from Pope Gregory II the missionary mandate in Germania. He is referred to from this point with the name Boniface. 722 Pope Gregory II consecrated Boniface in Rome for the missionary bishop without a fixed bishopric. 737/38 Boniface is appointed for a return visit to Rome for papal legate for the whole Frankish kingdom.

In the 8th century, a particularly well-known as Hugeburc nun from Heidenheim wrote a " Vita Sancti Willibaldi " in which she reproduces a biography of the first Bishop Willibald of Eichstätt (ca. 700-787 ). The Vita Willibaldi is in the core of the itinerary of the saint. With his father and his brother Wunibald Willibald breaks probably in the early summer of 720 to a pilgrimage to Rome, which subsequently leads Willibald to the Holy Land and Asia Minor. With a total of 77 place names ( and 13 people) describes the nun Hugeburc the way Willi Balds quite detailed, if you are running too many errors. The journey starts in today's Hamblehaven and continues after crossing the English Channel along the Seine in Rouen on. Without more detailed description of the route runs through France. Now Hugeburc leaves the pilgrims mistakenly first to Italy " get over " and then only reach the "Castles of the Alps". Specific mention is Lucca, where Willi Balds father dies and is buried in the church of St. Frigdianus. Around 1150 was held under the name Richard held a survey of his bones, which was probably caused by the fact that relics of Eichstätt and Heidenheim were requested. On November 11, 720, the St. Martin's, the brothers in Rome come to visit and probably the first Lateran, then St. Peter. The stay in Rome the brothers joined for Willibald and other companions on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Sicily in the Holy Land at ( 723-727 ). It follows the journey back to southern Italy, where he spends at Monte Cassino a decade to get back to Rome and finally to Eichstätt.

The itinerary of the Sigerich

Among the many connections between central and northern Europe and Rome the name " Via Francigena " has become the norm especially for a route. It involves the way from Canterbury to Rome, which was described in the records of the Archbishop of Canterbury Sigerich the Serious ( 994 ). He traveled in the year 990 from Canterbury to Rome to receive the pallium from the Pope, a wool scarf as a sign of his appointment as archbishop. The 80 stations of his journey held Sigerich in writing. The document is now preserved in the British Library in London. Substituting an average travel speed of 20 kilometers per day, are for the total of about 1600 km long distance on foot 80 days realistic.

The road north of the Alps to the description of the Sigerich

From Canterbury Calais was the road over Arras, Licques, Wisques Camblain l' Abbey, Arras, Laon, Reims, Châlons -sur -Marne, Bar -sur -Aube, Besançon and Pontarlier to Lausanne and Saint- Maurice in Switzerland, to the Great St. Bernard to cross the Alps.

The road south of the Alps to the description of the Sigerich

In Italy, the Via Francigena passed through the Valle d'Aosta, Ivrea, Vercelli, on Pavia, Piacenza, Fiorenzuola d' Arda, Fidenza up to Parma to cross over from there Fornovo di Taro, Cassio, Berceto the Apennines at Passo della Cisa.

Behind Pontremoli, the path split into two routes to bypass the Apuan Alps, a western that ran on Luni / Sarzana, Carrara and Massa, and thereby partially the ancient Via Aurelia took advantage, and one that led along the eastern side of the mountains. Both routes met again in Lucca.

From Lucca we went southeast on Via Pisana ( the Roman road from Florence to Pisa) and the Arno, at the San Genesio ( which was destroyed in 1248 ) and San Miniato were crossed or crossed; from here followed the Via Francigena the valley of the Elsa ( Elsa ) on several routes that collided in Poggibonsi again to just above to separate again. Two routes led along the two banks of the Elsa, on the right bank about Castel Fiorentino and Certaldo, on the left bank to touch directly and without major places; a third route branched off from the latter and went through the hills of Tuscany, the places Gambassi Terme and San Gimignano were touched.

On this route, the Via Francigena crossed several times derived from the Etruscan time Via Volterrana that of the Northeast ( Fiesole) on two routes zustrebte coming to Volterra: the northern Volterrana crossed in Castel Fiorentino and Gambassi Terme (before Gambassi Terme were Francigena and Volterrana few kilometers identical ), the southern Volterrana north of Certaldo and south of San Gimignano.

In Poggibonsi in turn not only the three routes of the Francigena came together here, the Via Regia Romana came at that, which was previously largely with the southern Volterrana identical to this but then branched off in Barberino Val d' Elsa to outclassed directly to Poggibonsi.

Behind Poggibonsi the Francigena divided again into two sections, the eastern ran to the castle Staggia Senese past, the western about Monteriggioni; after the re- convergence of the two routes, we went to Siena.

The last stations of the Via Francigena were then Abbadia San Salvatore, Acquapendente, Bolsena, Montefiascone, Viterbo, Vetralla, Capranica, Ronciglione, Sutri, Nepi and finally Peter's Square in Rome.

The development of the pilgrimage to Rome in the time after Sigerich

1155 written Icelandic abbot Nikulas Bergsson, also Nikulas of Munkathvera (Icelandic Munkaþverá ) a travelogue titled "Directions " (Icelandic Leiðarvísir ) to explicitly write with the goal of a kind Pilgrim 's Guide for other Icelandic pilgrims. He describes in his journey to Rome and Jerusalem, which he undertook in 1149-1154, and carries out the greatest places on his way mostly with the distances between the stages on. After a voyage from Iceland over Norway and Denmark its route runs through Denmark and the German Empire. Some stations are Schleswig, Stade, Paderborn, Mainz, Speyer, Strasbourg, Basel and Vevey. From there, he reported that the streets here the Südfranken, the English, the Germans and the Scandinavians come together and unite for the common way to Rome. He, too, then travels on the route of Sigerich to Rome and Bari on to Jerusalem. The alternate routes and side trips to other destinations that calls Nikulas repeatedly could indicate that he was in contact with other pilgrims, of which he is provided with information about the various routes. Beyond the mere Directions, he also offers " tourist " information. So he calls important shrines and bishoprics along the way and provides detailed information on the city of Rome sights.

A 1240-1256 recorded by the Abbot Albert of Stade 's "World Chronicle ", the Annales Stadenses, contains a playful dialogue between two monks on a trip to Rome. This Albert describes his journey to Rome, which he carried out in 1236 to Pope Gregory IX. to get permission for a monastic reform. In an unusually accurate a manner as he describes itineraries and are for parts also several variations, so that they could be used as a guide for pilgrims at that time. His route takes him from Stade via Bremen to Münster, Maastricht, Reims, Chalon -sur -Saône, Lyon to the Alps, which crosses it between Chambery and Susa (Piedmont). By Turin, Piacenza, Bologna, Arezzo and Orvieto leads his way there to Rome. The return route passes directly through Arezzo, Bologna, Padua, Trento, Bolzano, Innsbruck, Garmisch, Augsburg, Dinkelsbühl, Rothenburg, Aub, Ochsenfurt, Würzburg, Schweinfurt, Muennerstadt, Neustadt, Meiningen, Schmalkalden, Gotha, Bad Langensalza, Nordhausen, Hasselfelde, Wernigerode, Hornburg, Braunschweig, Celle back to Stade. For this Romweg the term " Romea " is preferably used.

In the manuscript " Hauksbók ", probably from the early 14th century, but with an itinerary that is significantly older, Haukr Erlendsson describes from Iceland with minor differences the same route as Albert von Stade as a way to Rome.

An unexpected upturn experienced by the interest in the pilgrimage to Rome in 1300. Arises in Europe, the rumor that the Pope would proclaim a Holy Year pilgrims going to Rome and grant a plenary indulgence of the punishments for sin, as previously gave him only for Crusaders. Contemporary sources claim that at that time were hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in Rome. Although most of the pilgrims came from Italy sure, recorded the hospice on the Great St. Bernard for the year 1300 a total of 20,000 nights. However, the jubilee year 1450 seems to have led most of the pilgrims to Rome. Pope Nicholas V can characterize a special commemorative coin because of its richness revenue. It begins with the construction of the new St. Peter's Basilica and acquires in the world expensive manuscripts for the Vatican Library. For the pilgrims rush to these Holy Years will always invested back into the infrastructure. Thus, a new Tiber bridge, the Ponte Sisto built for the Jubilee Year 1475.

For the Holy Year of 1500 appeared as one of the first maps ever the Romwegkarte of Niirnberger Erhard Etzlaub (approx. 1460-1532 ). The main roads lead to Rome - Rome is at the upper end of the card - are drawn with distances, one can speak of an early route map. Only three Alpine crossings are added (shown by a dotted line): a road from Ulm via Bregenz to Chur and from there via the Gotthard Pass to Italy; a route from Germany Mittenwald to Innsbruck and then over the Brenner; and finally a path of Moravia to Vienna, the " oblique Alpine passage " to Bruck, Villach and the Canal Valley. On this eastern route are indicated between Vienna and Bruck as stations: "New Town", and " Schadwynn " (Schott Vienna).

The political and economic significance of the Via Francigena in the Middle Ages

After the Frankish king Charlemagne had 774 conquered the Lombard kingdom, did he and his successors expand the section between Pavia and Rome as an imperial road, at the then monasteries and bishoprics were created to provide the pilgrims - Rome was next to Santiago de Compostela and Jerusalem at the three most important pilgrimage destinations in the Middle Ages, the pilgrimage was a key character.

Nearby Pavias towards Piacenza are the Ronkaldischen climes, where the beginning of the 11th century collected the army which accompanied the emperor to be crowned in Rome and was intended to protect. Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa had in 1154 and 1158 hold here Reichstag.

In addition to the religious and political- military value of the Via Francigena was soon also an economic meaning: it was the main artery, the Italy with the rest of Europe, especially Western Europe combined. Soon brought Frankish nobles ( including the Guidi and Gherardescas ) the economic and cultural centers along the Via Francigena in their violence, such as San Gimignano and Colle di Val d' Elsa.

The importance of the Via Francigena faded then with the power of the German emperors in Italy, the rise of the cities of Genoa, Pisa and Florence, which bypassed the Francigena spacious, and the shift of trade flows on the old Roman road ( Via Aurelia and Via Cassia ) the now came in good stead to economic realities better. The end of the economic importance of the Via Francigena was then also the end of the economic importance of the past only to their cities, such as San Gimignano.

The rediscovery of the Via Francigena

With the boom of the " Camino de Santiago " in the 90s of last century, the " Via Francigena " was revitalized. In 1994, the " Via Francigena " the European Institute of Cultural Routes - at the request of the Italian Ministry of Tourism - awarded as European Cultural Route and 2004 as a "Major Cultural Route of the Council of Europe".

The memorial march of some former Swiss Guards from Bellinzona to Rome in 2006 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Pontifical Swiss Guard has promoted the popularity of the route particularly in Switzerland.

Deportation to Sigerich compared with today's route

Infrastructure for pilgrims

The following remarks are limited to the current Weginfrastrukur in Italy. In recent years, a large number of pilgrims travel guides have appeared which facilitate planning of the pilgrimage significantly. The signs of the path is now almost perfect, and to find the way even without a map. Clearly the efforts of those responsible can be seen, although the historical route to follow, but as far as possible keep the way of busy streets, which is in the catchment area of the larger cities are not always easy. The accommodation options have widened considerably. In many stage destinations are simple quarters, mostly offered by parishes or monasteries available.

Gallery

Stations on the Via Francigena

Pilgrims to leave Rome Canterbury Cathedral by the Christ Church Gate.

Intersection of the Via Francigena (signposted in France Grande Randonnee route GR145 ) and the GR654 in the Marne department, northern France.

The Great St. Bernard Pass in midsummer.

The column, erected by the Compagnia di Sigerico at Soprarivo, Calendasco. The same column stands in the town of Corte Sant'Andrea, Lombardy.

Pilgrim accommodation in Cassio

Sigerich `s mansio No. XXX in Aulla, Tuscany. Even today, the start point for the pilgrims.

A medieval, Italian document shows the castle of Tentennano (also called Rocca d' Orcia, part of the municipality of Castiglione d' Orcia ).

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome with one of the goals of the pilgrimage, the grave of the apostle Peter.

Virtual Tour

With the two-part navigation bar Via Francigena, each is at the end of the local products, the virtual commemoration of the European pilgrimage route is possible. The bar contains the link for the preceding and following location - in the example below, start and end points are given - a fold-out overview of all the places in order of actual direction of Rome.

← Previous Location: Canterbury | Via Francigena | Next Location: Rome →

Saint Peter Paul the Apostle Sigeric the Serious Abbazia di San Salvatore Ostia Antica Bar-sur-Aube Apennine Mountains Castelfiorentino Etruscan civilization Capranica, Lazio St. Peter's Square Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein Chambéry Giotto Crusades Pilgrim badge Imperial Diet (Holy Roman Empire) Auchy-au-Bois Péronne, Somme Seraucourt-le-Grand Bouconville-Vauclair Coole (Marne) Humes-Jorquenay Coublanc (Haute-Marne) Dampierre-sur-Salon Nods, Switzerland Cully, Switzerland Bourg-Saint-Pierre Saint-Vincent, Aosta Valley Pont-Saint-Martin, Aosta Valley Mortara, Lombardy Luni, Italy Nods (Doubs) Saint-Oyen, Aosta Valley Saint-Christophe, Aosta Valley Quart, Aosta Valley Saint-Denis, Aosta Valley Bard, Aosta Valley Belgioioso, Lombardy Licciana Nardi Montecarlo, Tuscany Monterosi

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