The theme for the Pilgrims to Rome conference on the Via Francigena for 2025 is ‘The Many Ways to Rome’. This virtual version of our conference in London will explore ways pilgrims can create their own way to Rome by deviating from the official route for stages or extending their journey both before Canterbury and beyond Rome. The event includes two talks followed by a Q & A session in which our virtual audience can ask their planning questions on the Francigena to our experienced speakers and hosts.
This event will be hosted by Pilgrims to Rome trustees Nick Dunne and Alex Knox. Nick has published two books about his journey along the Francigena and Alex Knox walked Canterbury to Rome in 2022 in several stages.
Free tickets to members. Please apply your promo code when selecting a member’s free ticket. If you do not have your promo code, email events@pilgrimstorome.org.uk to receive it. If you are not a member, please consider joining to enjoy the many benefits of membership. Join here
Programme:
A Welcome by The Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome by Nick Dunne (Chair)
Talks:
Ben Eley – The Via Francigena and the Via Sacra (Western Front Way)
In two stages over 104 days, Ben connected one of Europe’s oldest and one of its newest pilgrim paths, the Via Francigena and the Via Sacra. On his journey to Rome, Ben deviated from the Francigena at various points throughout France by following the Via Sacra, or Western Front Way. The Via Sacra realises the dream of a young soldier, Alexander Douglas Gillespie, who imagined the creation of ‘a fine broad road in the No Man’s Land between the lines, with paths for pilgrims on foot’. Ben will discuss his motivations for incorporating the Via Sacra in his journey to Rome and share details of his experience on this route of remembrance.
Sandy Brown and Nicole Bukaty – The Sud: Continuing Your Journey South of Rome
The new Cicerone guidebook for the Via Francigena of the South, or ‘the Sud’ as it is often called, extends the Via Francigena from Rome to the heel of Italy in Santa Maria di Leuca. The route takes in the cities of Bari, Brindisi and Lecce and follows paths through mountains, low hills, vast olive groves and along the coastlines of the Tyrrhenian, Ardriatic and Ionian seas. Experienced guidebook authors Sandy Brown and Nicole Bukaty will detail why they are passionate about this southern extension of the Francigena, inspiring the audience to pack their rucksacks and embark on their next pilgrimage.
Update – ‘The Francigena Britannica’
An update on Pilgrims to Rome’s extension of the Francigena from London to Canterbury which in October 2024 was recognised with the European Assocation of the Vie Francigene as an official extension of the Via Francigena.
Q&A Pilgrim Panel
Our three speakers and the conference hosts Nick Dunne and Alex Knox will be taking questions after the talks, so come prepared with all your planning questions!
