On 11 September 2021 three pilgrimage routes – Via Francigena, Via Germanica and Via Romea Strata – officially affirmed their cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.   

The routes are members of the rurAllure project, working together on the promotion of tourism in rural areas and researching tourism potential of thermal heritage along the European pilgrimages to Rome.  

The three routes, mostly running through rural areas, cross together 15 European countries and represent a vehicle for economic development and rehabilitation. Offering visitors and pilgrims a slow adventure off the beaten track, on one hand they provide local communities with opportunities for job creation, reinforcement of local and European identity and intercultural dialogue, on the other hand they let pilgrims to experience local traditions, cultures and heritage. Greater synergy between the three roads to Rome will lead to wider promotion of heritage and hidden gems scattered along them – one of the rurAllure goals.   

During the event, organised in Rome – the final destinations of these pilgrimages – the main goal of the cooperation was identified: a necessity to improve pilgrims’ arrival in Rome.  As it is crucial to respond adequately to the growing flow of walkers and providing them with a high-quality welcome from technical, logistical and spiritual points of view.  

The meeting was attended by the routes’ presidents: Massimo Tedeschi (Via Francigena), Flavio Foietta (Romea Germanica) and Don Raimondo Sinibaldi (Romea Strata) and Vatican religious representatives, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, Monsignor Maurizio Bravi, Holy See observer at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and at the European Institute of Cultural Routes.  

A special blessing from Cardinal Parolin was given to the attendees of this important meeting that represents a first step towards ever more fruitful and harmonious collaborations between these historical paths, milestones of the European culture. 

More information here https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/