• 1 – 2 AD growing importance of to , The Via and . Francigena • 8 AD - Via Francigena - “road that originates from France”, History including current France, the area of the Rhein Valley and the Netherlands. • the path served as the main connection between the North and the South of Europe, along which merchants, armies and pilgrims passed through. Construction of the route

• – Rome stretch is based on the Sigeric’s Diary, who wrote it in 990 AD. during his travel

• Rome – Santa Maria Di Leuca stretch is based on an Itinerarium Burdigalense, a journey of an anonymous pilgrim from 333 AD. The Via Francigena now

• Certification of Council of Europe “Cultural Routes” in 1994

• 3200 km of the route

• 4 countries (United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Italy)

• 80% of the route - rural areas with very small villages

• Approminately 5 months of walking to finish the entire route European Association of the Via Francigena Ways

Private association with a bottom-up approach that fosters international cooperation and promotion of the VF from the local to the European level.

• Established in 2001 by 34 founding members in (Italy)

• By 2021 it counts 196 members (public body), 70 friends associations, 400 private partners

• Offices in Fidenza, and (IT) and (FR)

Pilgrim’s Profile

• Age: from 16 to 70 with an average 40 – 50 years old • From: Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia • 80% on foot/ 20% by bike /0,3% by horse

• 50% walkers hike in • Spirituality: soul searching, reconnection with oneself, • Cultural discovery, Motivation • Unique shared life experience, • Nature and landscapes, • Sports, wellbeing, improvement of health, • Religion. The Via Francigena in Figures

2019: • Approx. 50.000 walkers along the entire Canterbury-Rome axis • Average 7 days walk • €50 / € 60 daily spending + equipment +travel costs • Economic benefits from the route can be estimated € 20 million in 2019

2020 : • approximately 18.000 pilgrims travelled along the route Studies on economic impact of the VF: 2010 - “Impact of European Cultural Routes on SMEs’ innovation and competitiveness” 2015 - Research by the University of commissioned by the Tuscany region

Both of them identified: - Higher frequency of visitors to rural areas crossed by the VF comparing to non- VF areas - Higher number of SMEs and their steady growth thanks to the vicinity of the VF - Enhanced partnerships - Positive impact of the VF masterplan introduced by Tuscany region, which was highlighted instrumental in sustainable tourism development Visit Via Francigena platform network of service providers along the VF

• Adherence to the EAVF ethics charter is an entrance condition • Accommodation structures, tour operators and luggage transport receive have their profiles • High visibility for the structures and direct access to information for pilgrims • Fees are proportional to facility’s size and price per night • Currently more than 400 private stakeholders are united by the platform European Francigena Marathon

• Developed by 4 municipalities in Latium region in collaboration, EAVF and private partners • Choose your distance: 10 km, 21 km, 42 km • + cultural events, discussions, Medieval festival • 2013 (1st year) – 600 participants • 2019 – 2000 participants (maximum) • By now the model was replicated in 3 different regions in IT Sosta e Gusta / Stop and Taste

• Partnership between municipalities, consortium of Pamigiano cheese and dairy farms, producers of the cheese • Editions 2017,2018, 2019, 2021 • Gastronomic discovery of the region Via Francigena – Road to Rome 2021

• In 2021 the association celebrates 20th anniversary of its foundation

• Launch of an ambitious initiative – Road to Rome 21, Start again.

• 4 month on the road all together

• Recovery of slow tourism Thank you for your attention Elena Dubinina [email protected]