The history of the Via Francigena
The largely unknown existence of the Via Francigena is astonishing, particularly as in the year 1996 this pilgrim route was declared was designated by the Council of Europe as a ‘European Cultural Itinerary'.
|
||
|
Besides, historical data is not missing
The Via Francigena, leading from Canterbury to Rome, is mentioned in black and white for the first time 876 p.Chr.. It is one of the most important pilgrim routes from the north of Europe to Rome. The oldest English reports of travel date back to the 3rd century and bishop Sigeric of Canterbury had already described the complete route in his diary in the year 996.
Emperor Konstantin
Many high clerical dignitaries, aristocrats or prospective kings had to travel this pilgrimage to Rome, just to be able to accomplish their new official duties and to get dignified titles.
Since the Edict of Milan, in the year 313, enacted by Emperor Konstantin (the edict admitted Christianity as the Religion of the Roman Empire), for centuries believers, emperors, lansquenets????, tradesmen, highwaymen and beggars went on this pilgrim route to the eternal town the visit the tomb of the Apostle Petrus. As a result of this the Via Francigena became the most important thoroughfare in Europe.
|
|
|
|
(enlarge: click) |
Cathedrals and hospices
Along the Via Ffrancigena many world-famed cathedrals, monasteries, hospices and other buildings were built and a lot of them function as centres of spiritualism and culture.
These places were places of help and places of peace. Nowadays, it is easier to experience this. .After feeling vulnerable and exhausted after so many hours of walking, sometimes believing that your destination is too far away. . And it doesn’t matter how much pain you are in, how many blisters you have or how wet you are. A wall and a roof is something wonderful, especially if there is fine and impressive art to greet you.
This makes it to understand why there are so many impressive buildings along this special route, financed not only by the wealthy. |
The most important stations of this way of pilgrimage are as follows:
The cathedral of Canterbury, Reims, Besancon, Lausanne, Aosta, Vercelli, Lucca and Siena to the dome of St. Peter’s in Rome, which has been founded on St. Petrus’ grave. The monastery in Clairvaux in France or the hospice on the Big St. Bernhard are on the way of Via francigena.
Along the route there are many lesser known works of art, which have preserved their powerful charm
The lost paradise
Especially at the beginning of the 2nd millennium a lot of pilgrims went through Europe “in search of the lost paradise” . The martyrdom of St, Petrus and Paulus, being the initiators of the Christian parish, had a real powerful attraction for Rome.
In those days the pilgrimage was in contrast to nowadays not only an investment of time but also a menace to body and life. Pilgrims sometimes united in groups to be better protected against robbers and highwaymen. |
|
|
|
(enlarge: click ) |
|
Team spirit ensures live
At that time people pursued a certain “group-idea” having as aim, that each pilgrim made their talents and capacities available to their “fellow-pilgrims”.
As the markings and the conditions of roads were incomplete in those days, the essential was the capacity to be able to read the description of the route, but at the same time this capacity was very seldom.
|
Hospitality was the most important cornerstone for the travel-practicability and the pilgrimage. This hospitality had strict rules. For instance, each pilgrim had to get bread, wine and one night’s lodging. You can look up, that as welcome the pilgrim’s feet has been washed in some monastery.
The letter for pilgrim, for instance from the Vatican, guaranteed the pilgrims the unlimited support and accommodation in the towns, so they could do their way without spending money. Therefore the pilgrim had less attraction as victim, because it was known, that the pilgrims didn’t have about them any money.
