The Via Francigena is the great medieval pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome, first documented by Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury in 990 AD when he recorded his journey's 79 overnight stops. The Italian section (~1,000km from the Gran San Bernardo pass to Rome) traverses the Po Valley, crosses the Apennines into Tuscany, descends through Siena and the Val d'Orcia, and arrives in Rome via the ancient Via Cassia. It is now a recognized Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, waymarked, mapped, and walked by thousands annually. The Tuscan section (from Lucca to Siena to Radicofani) is the most popular and the most beautiful: hilltop towns, cypress-lined roads, vineyards, and the ancient stones of the road itself visible underfoot in places. Tuscany → · Lazio →
Plan my Via Francigena trip →The Tuscan section (Lucca → Siena → Radicofani, ~200km, 8-10 days): The most walked section. Lucca (within the Renaissance walls), San Gimignano (visible from the path), Monteriggioni (the walled crown), Siena (Piazza del Campo), the Crete Senesi (grey clay moonscape), San Quirico d'Orcia, and Radicofani (the fortress on the volcanic plug). The Lazio section (Radicofani → Rome, ~180km, 7-8 days): Through Bolsena (lakeside, miracle of the Eucharist), Viterbo (medieval papal city), and the final approach to Rome via La Storta and Monte Mario — arriving at St. Peter's. The grand arrival: Walking into Piazza San Pietro after weeks on the road. The Vatican Pilgrim Office issues the Testimonium (certificate) — show your credenziale (pilgrim passport, stamped at each stage).
Total Italian section: ~1,000km, 40-45 days. Most people walk specific sections: Tuscany (8-10 days) or the final week into Rome (7 days). Difficulty: easy-moderate (mostly tracks and secondary roads, no technical terrain). Season: April-June, September-October. Accommodation: Pilgrim hostels (ostelli, €15-25), parish hospitality (donativo/donation), agriturismi (€40-65), B&Bs (€50-80). Credenziale: Obtain from conffrancigena.it or at any major starting point. Guidebook: Lightfoot "Via Francigena" (English, multiple volumes). Luggage transfer: Available on popular Tuscan sections (€10-15/stage). Getting started: For the Tuscan section, train to Lucca (from Florence 1.5h). For the final week to Rome, train to Viterbo (from Rome 2h). Maps + GPX: viefrancigene.org has complete route data.