Via Francigena For All: Making a Historic Pilgrimage Route Accessible to Everyone

The Via Francigena is one of Europe's most important historic pilgrimage routes. For centuries, it has guided pilgrims and travellers through breathtaking landscapes, historic villages, and places rich in cultural heritage. Today, thanks to the Via Francigena For All project, part of this remarkable route has become even more accessible.

Promoted by the Piedmont Region, the project was created to make two sections of the Via Francigena in Piedmont more inclusive, allowing more people to experience this historic journey regardless of their individual needs.

To achieve this goal, a multidisciplinary team of public institutions, associations, and professionals worked together to assess the territory, identify existing barriers, and develop solutions to improve accessibility along the route.

The initiative went far beyond removing physical obstacles. It adopted a comprehensive approach that included the creation of rest areas, the installation of multisensory information panels, improvements to the accessibility of accommodation facilities, training for tourism professionals, and the enhancement of digital communication and information services.

Today, the Ivrea–Viverone section in the Canavese area and the Villar Focchiardo–Avigliana section in the Susa Valley demonstrate how a historic pilgrimage route can evolve while preserving its authenticity and welcoming a wider range of visitors.

The project brought together numerous institutions and organisations. Among them is B-Free, which supported the improvement of the routes' accessibility alongside regional authorities, associations, and other partners committed to promoting inclusive tourism.

At Heimat, we believe that Via Francigena For All shows how accessible tourism is built through collaboration. When public institutions, professionals, associations, and local communities work together, they create travel experiences that are open to an ever-growing number of people.

Through our Accessible Piedmont series, we will continue to highlight initiatives like this—projects that help make Piedmont's cultural and natural heritage more accessible and welcoming for everyone.

Source

This article is inspired by the Via Francigena For All project presented by B-Free and offers an original editorial adaptation for informational purposes.