Via Francigena south

From Rome to Brindisi and Italy’s Finis Terrae

The Southern Via Francigena is a historic pilgrimage route connecting Rome to Puglia’s main harbors, once departure points for journeys to the Holy Land. Equally, it served pilgrims traveling north to Rome to visit the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, making Rome both a destination and a starting point. This southern section, a continuation of the northern route, showcases the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Lazio, Campania, Basilicata, and Puglia, offering a strategic opportunity for revitalization.

Temperatures are mild from March to December but can be scorching in summer.

Southern Italy is very different

Begin your journey eastward along the ancient Appian Way, shaded by old pine trees, leaving behind Bernini’s majestic colonnade of St. Peter’s Basilica. As you step onto stones laid over two millennia ago, history surrounds you—monumental tombs and ruins of Imperial Rome fade into memory as the Alban Hills rise on the horizon. Vineyards and lakes like Nemi and Albano guide you to the second stage.

Pause at Valvisciolo Abbey’s tranquil cloister, wander Sermoneta’s medieval streets, and marvel at Fossanova Abbey near the Pontine Marshes.

The dialect here whispers of Campania as you move along the Ausoni Mountains. In Terracina, where the Appian Way meets the sea, intact Roman flagstones lead you through olive groves at the foot of the Aurunci Mountains. The fertile Campania valley eventually gives way to the Apennines. From Benevento, where the Appian Way shifts to the Via Traiana, rural paths guide you through rolling landscapes and historic villages, revealing architectural gems along the way.

. Across the Tavoliere plains, Roman bridges and ancient flagstones stretch endlessly.

In Brindisi, a keystone for medieval pilgrims, the Adriatic Sea beckons. This bustling port was a gateway to the uncertain and dangerous journey toward the ultimate destination—the Holy Land, where every pilgrimage truly began.

For practical reasons we divided the itinerary in 7 weeks, however we are very flexible:

You can start at any point of the road and on any day of the week;
You can divide some of the longest day in 2 and choose the places of your rest days.
As a courtesy service in most occasion you can shorten your stage by going with the luggage transfer.