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St Mary’s Church, Patrixbourne The Via Franci

St Mary’s Church, Patrixbourne

The Via Francigena pilgrimage to Rome begins in Canterbury. Patrixbourne is a delightful English village along the way. Don’t miss a visit to St Mary’s Church, an interesting mix of Kentish, Romanesque and Norman architecture. On your walk to Dover do stop and explore its interesting features like the wheel window, the less decorated priest’s door and the tympanum decorations on the doorway to the tower.
Canterbury

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Some reflections on my journey walking the Via Fra

Some reflections on my journey walking the Via Francigena. Comment below some of your reflections and let me know if you can relate! #víafrancigena #viafrancigena #viafrancigenatours #walkingtours #vft #camino #pilgrimage #italytravel

I’ll have to admit, Italy is my favourite part o

I’ll have to admit, Italy is my favourite part of the Via Francigena pilgrimage. Have a look on our website at our Italian VFT self guided tours and get inspired to walk! #viafrancigena #viafrancigenatours #walkingtour #italianlandscapes

The Via Francigena begins in England! Walking Stag

The Via Francigena begins in England! Walking Stage VFE01 is a 17 km walk along North Downs Way. 5 km along the way are delightful English cottages in Patrixbourne! Go to our website and join up for our Canterbury to Dover self-guided tour.

Don’t you love English Pubs, especially their na

Don’t you love English Pubs, especially their names? Any suggestions for how The Bishops Finger got its name?

St Martin’s Church in Canterbury is my favourite

St Martin’s Church in Canterbury is my favourite church on the Via Francigena in England. This is because I am a history lover and this one has it all! It is the oldest church in continuous use in the English-speaking dating back to 580 AD. The photos above show some of my favourite aspects of its history. It is so romantic that King Ethelbert of Kent gave it to his wife, Queen Bertha for her private place of prayer. It began as a Roman building and her church entrance is still there complete with Roman bricks. It is thought that King Ethelbert was baptised in the font shown. The Churchyard is also amazing with over 900 graves many of famous historic people. I need to make another visit for some churchyard sketches! Follow the link to read more about the Via Francigena in England. https://viafrancigenatours.com/posts/via-francigena-history/the-via-francigena-begins-in-england/ or go to @nationalchurchestrust

Walking around the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey

Walking around the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey challenges my imagination! I like to imagine St Augustine arriving in 597 AD! Then its rise to glory only to be destroyed by Henry VIII in 1538. I like to walk around and imagine the monks cooking in the kitchens and walking the cloisters. The nave tells the history of its many churches - Norman, Sts Peter and Paul, St Mary’s and St Pancras. Don’t miss out on seeing this amazing site! Sign up for our Canterbury to Dover self-guided tour.

I always enjoy walking through the Christ Church G

I always enjoy walking through the Christ Church Gate into the Canterbury Cathedral Precincts. The large statue of Christ is very welcoming and transports us into the sacred space. The Tudor Gothic Gate was originally built to celebrate the marriage of Arthur, Prince of Wales to Catherine of Aragon in 1502. I am very much looking forward to seeing it again because its vibrant colour scheme is now restored. Don’t miss out! Sign up for our Canterbury to Dover self-guided tour and enjoy all that Kent has to offer.

This amazing altar in Canterbury Cathedral is clos

This amazing altar in Canterbury Cathedral is closely linked with the days of pilgrimage in England. If you are curious to know its significance go to Via Francigena Tours website and read our post. https://viafrancigenatours.com/posts/via-francigena-history/the-via-francigena-begins-in-england/

Canterbury to Dover The Via Francigena officially

Canterbury to Dover
The Via Francigena officially begins at Canterbury Cathedral at the zero kilometre milestone. The first stage VFE01 is a 17 km walk to Shepherdswell. Historic features at the start of the walk are the Christ Church Gate, the Canterbury War Memorial, the Tower of St Mary Magdalene, the ruins of Saint Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s church. Go to Via Francigena Tours website to read our post ‘The Via Francigena begins in England’. https://viafrancigenatours.com/posts/via-francigena-history/the-via-francigena-begins-in-england/. Our website also information on our self-guided tour from Canterbury to Dover.

Via Francigena lighting the way from Altopascio to

Via Francigena lighting the way from Altopascio to San Miniato. Sign up for our Lucca to Siena tour!

Monteriggioni landscape walking the Via Francigena

Monteriggioni landscape walking the Via Francigena! Join up for Via Francigena Tours Lucca to Siena self-guided tour.

Between Montefiascone and Viterbo there is a well-

Between Montefiascone and Viterbo there is a well-preserved section of the ancient Via Cassia. Join up for our Montefiascone to Rome tour and walk in the footsteps of Sigeric and pilgrims past along the ancient Via Cassia.

On his 7th day Sigeric walked from Viterbo to Mont

On his 7th day Sigeric walked from Viterbo to Montefiascone. The Bagnaccio Baths have a very long history and have been used by pilgrims for thousands of years. I wonder if Sigeric stopped and relaxed in the warm waters. So far, I have not ventured into the waters. Have you? If not, go to our website and book our Montefiascone to Rome self-guided tour and read our latest posts on Montefiascone and Viterbo.

Viterbo Viterbo is a big city with many interestin

Viterbo
Viterbo is a big city with many interesting places to visit. Go to our website and read about its Etruscan origins, Roman origins of its name, why it became the city of the Popes, its many historical churches, its massive city walls, the Sanctuary of Santa Rosa, its Piazzas and fountains, medieval Quarter, and its food and wine.
https://viafrancigenatours.com/posts/via-francigena-history/via-francigena-viterbo/

Sigeric’s 6th night was spent at Submansio VI: S

Sigeric’s 6th night was spent at Submansio VI: Sce Valentine, Borgo San Valentino. In those days, the ancient Via Cassia was west of Viterbo near Bullicame known for its curative, hot springs. Dante Alghieri in the ‘Divine Comedy’ talks about the ‘stream that comes from the Bullicame. Today’s Via Francigena does not go through this area. But on my first visit to Viterbo I visited the Terme dei Papi for a swim! Apparently, the Popes liked the thermal baths! Nearby there was a hospital and pilgrim shelter called ‘borgo San Valentino’. #viafrancigenatours #viterbo #italia #viafrancigena #selfguidedtours #sigerico #pilgrimage #historicplace #termedeipapi #termedeipapivitervo #thermalsprings

Here is Carol the Pilgrim having a ‘Sigeric’ d

Here is Carol the Pilgrim having a ‘Sigeric’ day in Vetralla. On his 4th day he walked about 10 miles again along the Via Cassia to Vetralla (V Furcari). In his day there was a small church and pilgrim shelter near an ancient Roman market ‘Forum Cassii’ (Forcassi). Today only the ruins of Santa Maria di Forcassi remain. Has anyone visited the church and seen the frescoes inside or the crypt?
#viafrancigenatours #vetralla #sigerico #sigeric #lazio #carolthe pilgrim #viafrancigena #historylovers #historyfacts #viafrancigena #selfguidedtour #justkeepwalking

Sutri On his 4th day Sigeric walked 10 miles along

Sutri
On his 4th day Sigeric walked 10 miles along Via Cassia from Baccano to ‘IIII Suteria’ today Sutri. Today all that remains of the resting place is the church of Santa Maria del Tempio which is now a tourist information centre. There are many amazing places to visit in Sutri. My favourite is the Mithreum and the surrounding Etruscan necropolis.

Campagnano di Roma III Bacane Sigeric stopped at

Campagnano di Roma

III Bacane
Sigeric stopped at ‘Bacane’ on his third night at an Inn called Oseria di Baccano and it even had a spa! Its name is associated with the god Bacchus, Baccanale and fertility festivals like the Baltane festival. Today we do not stop at Baccano where all that remains is an abandoned Chigi Granary. Instead we visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sorbo with its Black Madonna icon. In Roman times there was a temple dedicated to Bacchus in this location. And the local residents still have a Baccanale wine festival in May!

La storta
It has always fascinated me that today’s Via Francigena itinerary is based on Sigeric’s diary recording his walk home to Canterbury in 990 AD. He only stayed in Rome, I Urbs, Roma for 3 days and then walked to La Storta. It was known as II, San Giovanni in Nono because at the ninth (nono) milepost there was a bend in the road, La Storta. In those days there was an old inn, stables and a small church called San Giovanni in Nono. Today all that remains is the little pink church in Piazza della Visione where St Ignatius had his vision .

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