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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 .

Whether you walk all the way from Canterbury or ju

Whether you walk all the way from Canterbury or just the last few stages , it is always a thrill to see the views of Rome from Mons Gaudi ‘the mountain of joy’! So don’t miss out! Go to our website and book a tour!

This could be you walking from Gambassi Terme to S

This could be you walking from Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano! Don’t miss out! Sign up for our Lucca to Siena self guided walking tour!

My walk from San Miniato to Gambassi Terme was ful

My walk from San Miniato to Gambassi Terme was full of surprises. One minute I was drenched with rain and sliding down mud. Then next minute the sun was shining on the most amazing views Tuscany has to offer. Here are three of my favourites! Did anyone else have any surprises on this walk?

San Miniato was my favourite place during my recen

San Miniato was my favourite place during my recent Via Francigena walk from Lucca to Siena. This is the beautiful view from my hotel window. These rain clouds followed me all day and made lots of sticky mud! But the unforgettable views and moments of sunshine helped me forget about the rain! Did anyone else get caught in the rain on this walk? 🌦️

Here are some spectacular views from Frederick Tow

Here are some spectacular views from Frederick Tower San Miniato. You can see the curvature of the town around a ridge overlooking the Arno Valley and the Matilda Tower. So don’t miss out, go to our website and sign up for our Luca to Siena self guided tour.

Sutri in Italy has many amazing places to visit. H

Sutri in Italy has many amazing places to visit. Here are my favourite three! The Mithraeum, the Roman amphitheatre and the Etruscan necropolis! Don’t miss out - go to our website and book a tour! 🇭🇺👣🏃‍♂️

Today I say goodbye to this beautiful view of St M

Today I say goodbye to this beautiful view of St Michael Mount from the Union Hotel in Penzance! But I can’t wait to return with plenty of time for all the beautiful walks in Cornwall. Via Francigena Tours is planning a Cornwall visit so stay tuned!

Today I visited Land’s End in Cornwall! It is th

Today I visited Land’s End in Cornwall! It is the most westerly point of England. And 3147 km across the Atlantic Ocean to America. The coastline and wild flowers are spectacular! Do let us know if you would like to visit Cornwall with us next year!

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