Religious tourism and spiritual travel

The Gargano Promontory in Apulia, due to its shape, is considered to be “Italy’s spur.” This promontory, projecting itself out into the Adriatic Sea, is almost entirely covered by a massive and mountainous carsic rock. Leafy vegetation, a crystalline sea, evocative places, a faithful people and the genuine tastes of this zone are its fundamental characteristics. One of nature’s jewels, it rests under the tutelage of the National Park, which also covers the Umbra Forest, the marine reserve of the Tremiti Islands and the coastal lakes of Lesina and Varano.

Emilia Romagna is one of the most beautiful regions of Italy. From the Adriatic coast to the Apennine Mountains, the small villages to the big cities of art, it is a region perhaps best discovered at a slow pace. At the end of 2021, Emilia Romagna added a new Pilgrim’s Path to its network of ancient pilgrimage routes, part of the region’s Slow Travel offering. Sentiero dei Ducati (the Duchies Trail), which can be done either by foot or bicycle, is designed to retrace the ancient routes bordering of the historic Italian regions once ruled by a Duke or Duchess from the 16th to the 19th centuries: the Estensi’s duchies of Modena and Reggio, the duchy of Parma and Piacenza and the duchies of Tuscany. With the new addition, Emilia Romagna now boasts 20 trails for visitors looking for a “slow tourism” experience.

Passing by historic villages, cities of art, holy buildings and monuments, the Via Francigena in Emilia Romagna is a journey of culture, art and considerable beauty, enriched by deeply felt traditions going back thousands of years: 5 unmissable places of discovery.

Rome is unquestionably the focal point of the Via Francigena. Nevertheless, the surroundings in Latium walked by pilgrims are replete with lesser-known yet equally fascinating places: nature, art, architecture and spirituality can all be enjoyed in these 5 sites.

The Piedmontese Via Francigena passes right through here, immersed in green nature full of vineyards and sunflower fields and dotted with ancient churches, lakes, villages and castles.

The Via Francigena in Tuscany takes travellers through a number of villages, towns and cities rich in art and history, often almost unchanged over time and set in extraordinary landscapes: 5 places you shouldn't miss along the way.

The Basilica of the Holy House is one of the main places of veneration of Mary and among the most significant and most visited Marian shrines in the Catholic Church. It is located in Loreto in Piazza della Madonna, 127 metres above sea level, at the end of the Via Lauretana. The sanctuary has the dignity of a minor pontifical basilica. The Basilica houses the Holy House of Nazareth where, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary was born, lived and received the annunciation of the miraculous birth of Jesus. Studies show that the origin of the House is Palestine, both in terms of the architectural style and the use of building materials, unknown to the territory of the Marches and yet widely used at the time in the Holy Land. Tradition has it that the Holy House, after passing through Dalmatia, remaining for about three years in Trsat (now a district of the city of Rijeka in Croatia), arrived in Loreto on the night of 9-10 December 1294. In 1469, on the initiative of the bishop of Recanati, Nicolò delle Aste, and later Pope Paul II, the first construction work on today's basilica began. Next to the white Istrian stone façade, completed in 1587, stands the elegant bell tower (1750-55), the work of Luigi Vanvitelli. Under the dome is the sacellum of the Holy House, covered in marble with statues and reliefs, a sculptural masterpiece of the 16th century. The striking interior is visited by pilgrims from all over the world to pray before the statue of the Black Madonna. The Chapel of the Annunciation was decorated with frescoes by Federico Zuccari, the sacristies of St. Mark and St. John by Melozzo da Forlì and Luca Signorelli, and the ceiling and the pavilion of the Treasury Room by Pomarancio. The Pontifical Museum of the Holy House of Loreto, housed in the Apostolic Palace, preserves paintings, sculptures, tapestries and majolica from the Sanctuary and donated to the Holy House through the ages. In the collection of paintings, the works of the late maturity of Lorenzo Lotto, who died in Loreto around 1556, stand out. The Treasure of the Holy House includes valuable works of fine jewellery. "The Holy House of Loreto is the first shrine of international significance dedicated to the Virgin and the true Marian heart of Christianity". (John Paul II)

Jewel of Arezzo From a hilltop 500 metres above sea level, Cortona dominates the Val di Chiana, an area of medieval villages, breathtaking views, good food and ancient traditions. Chosen as the location for numerous Italian films including Roberto Benigni's La vita è bella, it’s a city full of treasures among the alleys of its small but charming historic centre. Its beauty erases the strain from the relentless up and down of roads and stairs. The beating heart of Cortona is Piazza della Repubblica, overlooked by Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and Palazzo Comunale, with its Clock Tower and imposing staircase. If you prefer religious architecture, don't miss the Duomo, also known as the Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Sanctuary of Santa Margherita with the mummified body of the saint, and the Church of San Benedetto, with its original elliptical plan. History buffs should visit the Sodo archaeological area, the Tanella of Pythagoras and the Etruscan Academy and City of Cortona Museum (MAEC). A gem unknown to most is the former meat warehouse. Once used to store food, this basement has become a meeting place and cultural space. It’s decorated with murals and is part of the Cortona On The Move photography festival that enlivens the streets of the city every summer.

The last climb of the Milano-Sanremo When Milan-San Remo cyclists arrive here, they know they are about to face the last climb before the finish. This is Poggio, a hamlet of Sanremo, in the province of Imperia. Its founding dates to the Middle Ages, when area inhabitants created several settlements in the hills to defend themselves from pirate raids. Legend in Poggio says that the Madonna appeared to a farmer in 1667 telling him to build a church. The Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Guardia can still be visited today, with its marble statue of the Virgin and Child and model ship, a 19th-century votive offering donated by a sailor who survived a shipwreck. In the old town, visit the Church of Santa Margherita and the plaque in Piazza dei Martiri, commemorating the killing of only a few partisans during World War II.

Exploring Bergamo and Brescia At the foot of the first foothills of the Bergamasque Alps leading to Valcalepio, the area of Grumello del Monte has hosted human settlements since the Palaeolithic period. However, the most important architectural works in this comune in the province of Bergamo date back to much later periods. Don’t miss the Castle of Gonzaga, which was originally built as a military bulwark to defend against enemies but was transformed into an elegant private residence in the 17th century. The Palazzo Camozzi-Vertova also belonged to a noble family. During your visit, we recommend visiting the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, decorated with paintings by Carobbio and Carpaccio, the Church of San Pantaleone and the Santuario del Calvario sanctuary. Grumello del Monte is the ideal starting point for exploring the area between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia. In just a 30-minute car journey, you can reach the Upper City, the centre of Brescia, Iseo and its namesake Lake Iseo.

The Sicilian village of mystery Perched on a hill in the province of Caltanissetta, Mussomeli boasts the charm of the Sicilian hinterland, rugged yet beguiling, with a timeless romanticism. The historic centre retains its medieval layout, with a maze of narrow cobbled streets. But fear not, you will always find your way among the most beautiful places in the village. These include the Mother Church of San Ludovico, whose imposing façade stands out among the low surrounding houses. However, it is more stunning inside, where you can admire the white and blue ceiling. Another unmissable stop is the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli (Our Lady of Miracles), so called because according to tradition, in the 16th century, a paraplegic stopped there to rest and, when he woke up, discovered he could walk. The Manfredonico Castle, which almost merges with the rock on which it is built, also boasts a compelling history. Legend has it the ghost of Don Guiscardo, son of a Spanish merchant who died in the fortress in the 14th century, roams its halls. A second story tells of three sisters buried alive there by their brother. If ghosts and mysteries don’t frighten you, we recommend exploring the Stretto Cinquemani, a ‘sinful place of furtive and lustful encounters, scene of violence, attempted murders and other successful ones’, as the sign at its entrance reads. After all, it adds, ‘everything hides a dark side’.

The Gargano Promontory in Apulia, due to its shape, is considered to be “Italy’s spur.” This promontory, projecting itself out into the Adriatic Sea, is almost entirely covered by a massive and mountainous carsic rock. Leafy vegetation, a crystalline sea, evocative places, a faithful people and the genuine tastes of this zone are its fundamental characteristics. One of nature’s jewels, it rests under the tutelage of the National Park, which also covers the Umbra Forest, the marine reserve of the Tremiti Islands and the coastal lakes of Lesina and Varano.