Our itinerary has its start in Fidenza, crossroads of several different routes. Fidenza Cathedral emblematically bears witness to the complex significance of medieval monuments, which blend in their architecture human and universal values, the concepts of nature and spirit, sin and salvation.

 

 

 

Most of the sculptural decoration was carried out by Benedetto Antelami, who probably worked at it at the very beginning of the 13th century. To reach Fornovo from Fidenza and thus get ready to cross the Apennines, the pilgrim had two options; the most direct path left the Via Claudia, as the Via Emilia was called in medieval times, at Coduro, where the church of San Leonardo stood, and it proceeded through the Fidenza countryside towards Santa Margherita, crossing an area called "la Francesca". From here the road headed straight for Borghetto di Noceto, Medesano, Felegara and finally Fornovo. 

The stretch leading from Medesano to Felegara is in fact mentioned as the "municipal road named Francesca" in the 18th century cartography. The variation through Parma was probably less popular but equally important and charming. It proceeded from Fidenza along the Via Emilia towards Parma, passing through San Pancrazio, with the church where the relics of the Saint were kept, and finally reaching the church of Santa Croce, just outside the town.

 

Hiking Tips 1st stop: Fidenza - Fornovo

Lunghezza: km 35 Walking time: 9 hours Road features:National Road nr. 9 (Via Emilia); provincial and municipal roads with sections of dirt roads Road signs: Via Francigena signs all along the road Refreshment stops: bar - restaurants in Borghetto, Costamezzana, Medesano (Metane; submansio XXXV of Sigeric), Felegara Rest stop: Fornovo (Philemangenur; submansio XXXIV of Sigerico). Hotels, inns, restaurants.

 

From FORNOVO to the CISA PASS

The route leading from Fornovo to Bardone along the Sporzana Valley was later replaced by the ridgeway, today's National Road of the Cisa Pass. The parish church of Bardone contains outstanding decorative sculptures, such as two tables representing The Deposition and Christ in a blessing posture, both reminding of Antelami's style.  Heading on for Terenzo, Casola, Cassio and Castellonchio, small villages retaining much of their medieval atmosphere, you finally get to Berceto. A short diversion will take you to the locality of Corchia where the old medieval hamlet and a hostel dating back to the 12th century offer a unique example of historical preservation. In Berceto, the last stop of our itinerary, the winding path of the Via Francigena has been faithfully restored and it takes you along the ruins of the old castle down to the enchanting Cathedral, dedicated to San Moderanno. The route continued from here in the direction of the Cisa Pass, where the remains of an old hospital dedicated to Santa Maria have been discovered. The road then went down to Pontremoli, Lucca, Siena and finally reached Rome. "All roads lead to Rome", as an old popular saying goes, but the Via Francigena surely is the most fascinating of all: it embodies the spirit of the research for unity through diversity, thus contributing to the building up of today's European cultural identity.

 

Hiking Tips 2nd stop: Fornovo - Berceto

Distance: km 32 Walking time: 9 hours Road features: National Road of the Cisa Pass, provincial roads, dirt roads and mountain tracks. Altitude: 900 m; 100 m Road signs: Via Francigena tourist signposts along the roads;no signs along the tracks. Refreshments stops: bars - inn at Sivizzano and Casola (on s.s. 62); restaurant and hotel in Cassio Rest stop: Berceto (800 m;Sce Moderanne; submansioXXXIII of Sigerico) hotels and all tourist facilities.

Hiking Tips 3rd stop: Berceto - Cisa Pass - Pontremoli

Distance: km 27 Walking time: 7 hours Road features: dirty roads and mountain tracks on the Emilian slope. Municipal and dirt roads on the Tuscan slope. Altitude: 450 m; 1000 m Road signs: CAI (Italian Alpine Club)white/red painted flags from Felegara to Mount Valoria(track 733); GEA white/redpainted flags on the ridge trail (trail sign 0-0); white/red painted flags from Montelungo to Succisa (Lunigiana hiking trail). Refreshment stops: bar - restaurant at the Cisa Pass; bar, restaurant and Apennine hotel in Montelungo (Sce Benedicte; submansio XXXIII of Sigerico); Ferrari inn at Polina (Succisa). Rest stop: Pontremoli (Puntremel; sumnasio XXXI of Sigeric); restaurants, groceries, hotels.