What is the St Francis Way?

The St Francis Way or Way of St Francis is also known as Cammino di Francesco or Via Francigena di San Francesco. The trail, inspired by the life and work of Saint Francis of Assisi, starts in Florence in Tuscany and finishes in Rome. The St Francis Way takes in some of the most important Franciscan sites in Italy such as La Verna sanctuary, Assisi and the Rieti Valley. The St Francis Way is, in a way, a combination of many shorter pilgrimages to some of the Franciscan sanctuaries along the route. Florence: UNESCO-listed for its magnificent artistic and architectural heritage, Florence is not only a must-visit in Tuscany but also home to the world’s largest Franciscan church: the Basilica di Santa Croce. The temple marks the starting point of the St Francis Way. La Verna Sanctuary: is located in a peaceful mountain location surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. It is here where Saint Francis and his followers meditated and where St Francis experienced the stigmata. Assisi: is the home town, as well as the burial place, of Saint Francis and the most important Franciscan pilgrimage destination. A UNESCO-listed city-sanctuary, Assisi is unique for its rich spiritual heritage, as well as its medieval art and architecture. Assisi is the spiritual centre of the St Francis Way. It was in the Rieti Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley, where many important episodes in the life of Saint Francis took place. It was in the Rieti Valley where he founded the Franciscan order for instance. On this section of the St Francis Way you will encounter and have the chance to visit many chapels and places of interest related to the life of the saint such as the Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone, the oldest Franciscan settlement outside Assisi. Crossing natural parks, mountain passes and valleys on the Apennine Mountains and stunning medieval hill-top towns and villages; the spectacular nature, landscapes and heritage of the St Francis Way make this route to Rome unforgettable. However, due to its mountainous terrain, we recommend the St Francis Way only to experienced walkers. Talk to our travel specialists if you need advice about this particular route. The markings for the St Francis Way will vary: on the first section from Florence to Sansepolcro you will mainly follow red and white long distance markings. From Sansepolcro, you will be able to follow the blue and yellow St Francis Way signposts. A pilgrim passport stamped along the way will allow you to get your St Francis Way certificate in Rieti and your ‘Assisiana’ in Assisi; in addition to your Testimonium if you finish in Rome. For more information about the St Francis Way, Cammino di Francesco in Italy contact our travel specialists The post What is the St Francis Way? appeared first on Francigenaways.com.