"The
Via Francigena is the common name of an ancient road and pilgrim route
running from France to Rome, though it is usually considered to have
its starting point much further away, in the English cathedral city of
Canterbury. As such, the route passes through England, France,
Switzerland and Italy. The route was known in Italy as the "Via
Francigena" ("the road that comes from France") or the "Via Romea
Francigena" ("the road to Rome that comes from France"). In mediaeval
times it was an important road and pilgrimage route for those wishing
to visit the Holy See and the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul." Wikipedia
We
set off from Aosta near the Swiss border on 14 May 2004 with little
idea of what lay ahead. We soon discovered that the via
Francigena was a route system, rather than a single "way".
Seasonal conditions, bandits, and other factors would
determine the paths traditionally followed. Today much of the
old paths lie buried under modern motorway. We took minor
roads for preference, diverting from the "official" via Francigena and
also take the higher level roads where possible to arrive in Rome on 14
June 2004.
When
we received our Testimoniums from Father Bruno at the Vicariato in the
Vatican City, we were numbers 142 and 143 to register in the Register
of Via Francigena.