Guida alla Via Francigena storia e itinerari

In the itinerary sources of the 10th-13th centuries, the route of the Via Francigena is reconstructed in this book, with its main variations, from the two Alpine passes of the Great San Bernardo and Moncenisio to Rome. The result is a historical guide to the ancient road, a meeting and welding point of the peregrinationes maiores and the main artery for continental traffic in medieval Italy. With the aid of topographic maps to identify the routes and rich iconographic documentation, the reader is invited to read the itineraries with medieval eyes, recognizing the places of rest and refreshment that marked the stages of the travellers, and rediscovering in territory the numerous testimonies left by the route: ancient bridges, remains of medieval pavements, hospices, mansions of hospital orders, churches full of reminders and symbols of pilgrimage, thanks to which a sort of sacralization of the ancient route was brought about.