The Way of St Francis

From Florence to La Verna

The itinerary retraces the connection routes that the Franciscan monks used to maintain with Florence. Starting from Piazza Santa Croce, the route follows the Arno River up to Pontassieve and then enters Casentino through the Passo della Consuma. The path then continues through the charming town of Stia to enter the Casentino Forests, Monte Falterona, and Campigna National Park. The journey reaches the Eremo di Camaldoli, a place beloved by Francis, which houses a cell dedicated to him. The route follows mountain trails and, immersed in the greenery of the forests, reaches the Sanctuary of La Verna. It was on this mountain, gifted to him by Count Orlando Cattani, that a first hermitic community was established with his closest companions. It was there, on September 17, 1224, that Francis received the miracle of the stigmata. The Sanctuary was erected there and over time has become one of the most important places of worship for the Franciscan community.

From La Verna to Assisi:

The route follows the ancient road that connected Assisi, the main residence of Francis, to Mount La Verna in Tuscany, a destination for numerous and extended periods of hermitic retreat for the Saint. It passes through hills covered in woods and cultivated valleys, traversing trails, mule tracks, and secondary roads that lead from Casentino to the Tiber Valley, where the towns of Pieve Santo Stefano and Sansepolcro are encountered. It passes by the Eremo del Cerbaiolo and the Eremo di Montecasale, immersed in the forests of the Alpe della Luna Nature Reserve, to enter Umbria and reach Citerna and Città di Castello. Finally, it arrives in Gubbio, considered the second home of Francis, where he took refuge in 1207 after leaving Assisi and renouncing material possessions. It was in this city, in contact with lepers, that he underwent his conversion and began a life dedicated to the poor. The route crosses the verdant territory of the Upper Tiber Valley until reaching Assisi. The journey concludes at the Basilica of San Francesco, which houses the tomb of the Saint.

Where to Stay Along the Via di Francesco

Along the path of Francis, there is a well-distributed network of accommodation facilities. The constant and admirable work of associations, volunteers, and enthusiasts ensures a network of reasonably priced accommodations at many stopping points. In our guide, we provide a complete list of lodgings, ranging from simple accommodations in convents and parishes to agriturismi and hotels, offering the possibility to choose according to personal preferences and budget. Remember that it is always very important to make reservations a few days in advance, especially for simpler accommodations.

The Best Time to Undertake the Cammino di Francesco

The recommended periods for undertaking the Cammino di Francesco are May/June and September/October. The mild temperatures and sufficiently long days of spring and autumn are excellent for walking. In summer, temperatures can be very hot, especially in the valley sections. Planning to start early in the morning will allow you to complete each stage before the excessive heat. Remember to bring an adequate amount of water with you. In winter, the Cammino di Francesco is considerably more challenging. The backpack is much heavier, there are fewer daylight hours for walking, and especially in mountainous areas, snow, mud, and fog can test the pilgrim's endurance. It is advisable to have good physical preparation and resistance to cold, and it is a good practice to inquire about weather conditions and the state of the trails stage by stage before setting off.

The Pilgrim Credential

The pilgrim credential is the travel document that serves to certify the journey undertaken. It contains the stamps and dates of the places reached on foot or by bicycle during the pilgrimage. The credential entitles you to: * have access to simple accommodations along the route. * receive the "Testimonium Viae Francisci" upon arrival in Assisi as proof of the completed pilgrimage.

The Pilgrim Credential can be obtained by: * personally visiting certain convents and parishes along the Via di Francesco. * downloading this Credential Request Form and sending it via email to any Pilgrim Office in Assisi or Perugia. The credential will be sent by mail, so it should be requested at least 3 weeks before departure.

The Testimonium

The Testimonium (Testimonium Peregrinationis Peractae ad Sanctorum Francisci et Clarae Civitatem) is the religious certificate that attests to the completed pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi. To receive it, one must have walked at least the last 100 km of the Via di Francesco on foot (or 200 km by bicycle). The stamps and dates on one's Pilgrim Credential are considered proof. Once in Assisi, you must go to the Offices of the Sacro Convento - Basilica Papale di San Francesco d'Assisi, at Piazza Inferiore di San Francesco, 2 - open every day from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM. For information, Tel. +39 075819001 Email: statioperegrinorum@sanfrancescoassisi.org