Via Francigena
The ancient pilgrims’ way to Rome passes through Altopascio: two scenic stages start from Casal Sant’Elena.
- Walks
- 2 km from the house
The ‘Via Francigena’ or ‘Francigena Way’ is an ancient pilgrims’ way from north-western Europe to Rome. It is a group of trails and paths that together formed a road system towards the city of Rome.
The Francigena route best known today is the one recorded in A.D. 990 in the detailed travel diary of the 97 legs of the journey written by Bishop Sigeric, who travelled from Canterbury to Rome to be received by the Pope.
From Casal Sant’Elena there are two scenic legs that are worth the walk: from Lucca to Altopascio (19 km) and from Altopascio to San Miniato (29 km).
Nearby
Montecarlo
9 km from the house
Montecatini Terme
15 km from the house
Collodi, Pinocchio Park
16 km from the house
Photo credits: Serendip, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Montecarlo hilltop town with its tower at dusk) · Michela.osteri, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The colonnade and fountain of the Terme Tettuccio in Montecatini Terme) · Mongolo1984, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (The blue horse statue at the Pinocchio Park in Collodi)
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