Via di Francesco

Via di Francesco Nord

The St Francis trail is not a pilgrimage route in the proper sense of the term. As a matter of fact, until a few years ago there were never pilgrims retracing St Francis steps. This trail simply links the places that were important in St Francis life.

Francesco, known for his humble and simple way of life, is nonetheless a revolutionary figure in the history of Christianity; in a time when the Church of Rome was the center of the Papacy’s temporal power – and known to amass huge riches, conspire duplicitous plots and abide corruption, he preached poverty and fraternal love towards every creature of this world.
The example set by St Francis’ life and a message was probably the inspiration for the new Pope to chose to be called Francis I.
You will start in La Verna Monastery, the place where St Francis is supposed to have received the « Stigmatas, » and end in Assisi, where he was buried. Along the way, you will pass several smaller monasteries and abbeys where the Saint stayed while travelling, as well as where legend says he accomplished miracles such as the taming of a ferocious wolf in Gubbio.