Waldershare Sunrise
The dreaded lurgy is lingering but not as bad today – and I was going a little stir-crazy stuck in the house. Luckily Waldershare is only a couple of minutes away in the car, so I got a bit of fresh air and took this panorama of the sun rising over the fields and trees of the park. In the distance, you can see the Monumenta Romana, built in 2021 by Charles Holland Architects as part of the Via Francigena Arts Trail.
The Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route stretching from Canterbury in England to Rome and ports in southern Italy, was once a vital artery for religious travel.
The route’s origins can be traced back to at least the 8th century. Initially known as the "Lombard Way," it served as a major route for pilgrims journeying to Rome from northern Europe. Documentation from the 8th century refers to it as the "Iter Francorum" (the "Frankish Route"). Unlike Roman roads, the Via Francigena wasn't a single, fixed path. Instead, it comprised various routes that shifted over time based on trade and pilgrimage trends. Pilgrims could choose between several options for crossing the Alps and Apennines mountains.
In around 990, Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury documented his return trip from Rome, providing a detailed account of the Via Francigena. His itinerary, consisting of 80 stages averaging 20 kilometres each, offers a glimpse into the route as it existed a thousand years ago.
The Via Francigena's prominence gradually diminished with the rise of sea travel and alternative pilgrimage routes like the Way of St. James. For centuries, the route remained largely forgotten, known only to scholars. However, in recent decades, there has been a renewed interest in pilgrimage travel. Inspired by the popularity of the Way of St. James, many pilgrims sought to walk to Rome on the Via Francigena. This has led to efforts to revive the route, with volunteers marking paths and local governments attempting to recover the historical track.
Today, pilgrims can follow the Via Francigena's path, albeit with some deviations for safety reasons. The route passes through England, France, Switzerland, and Italy, with various sections offering stunning scenery and historical landmarks. While far fewer pilgrims walk the Via Francigena compared to the Way of St. James, the route is attracting growing interest, particularly from those seeking a unique and historic pilgrimage experience.
The revival of the Via Francigena presents both opportunities and challenges. While tourism potential is recognized, there are concerns about commercial interests potentially altering the route for profit. Accommodation options are limited, with pilgrims often relying on camping or basic lodgings offered by monasteries.
Despite these challenges, the Via Francigena's rich history and spiritual significance continue to resonate with modern pilgrims. As efforts to restore and promote the route continue, the Via Francigena is poised to reclaim its place as a vital path for spiritual exploration and cultural discovery.
