THE VIA ROMEA GERMANICA becomes "European Cultural Route"

On 29 October 2020 the Via Romea Germanica became "European Cultural Route", one of the highest awards in the world of walking in terms of history, culture and tourism. The Via Romea Germanica starts from Stade, in Germany, passes through Austria up to Italy where it extends from the Brenner Pass to Rome. The path is thus added to the list of certified routes: for Italy so far only the Via Francigena had succeeded.

 

The recognition, which comes after an intense year of work, is granted by the Governing Board of the Council of Europe after a careful assesment, after the presentation of a dossier and with the examination of an external expert. It places the Via Romea among the great European roads and allows access to important community announcements.

 

The Via Romea Germanica is a path of over 2200 kilometers, which was born from the common desire of Germans, Italians and Austrians to revive the path that in 1236 the Abbot Albert of Stade described in his travel diary “Annales Stadenses”. The way is therefore based on a solid historical basis (Alberto di Stade's manuscript was found in the Hamburg library) and retraces the places he mentioned.

 

For centuries the Via Romea Germanica was defined as the "melior via" for the people of the North: pilgrims and travelers from the Baltic area, Scandinavia and Northern Germany referred to it. Today it is a perfectly marked path, which can be followed in its entirety or in stages. A street full of history, culture, artistic and architectural testimonies. A real must for those who turn to “slow” tourism, in safety, in the open air, in the well-being of walking. The Way fully involves the Catholic faith and the Lutheran faith in a perspective of cultural and tourist cooperation.

 

The route in Emilia-Romagna counts 260 km, offering very different landscapes and emotions: from the nature of the Po Delta Park to the forests of the Apennines, from art cities such as Ferrara and Ravenna to suggestive villages such as Bagno di Romagna and places of faith like the Abbey of Pomposa.

 

Great is the commitment to leave in safety after the Covid-19 emergency, with tourist packages dedicated to lovers of walking. In fact, the Association is already a partner of many tourist companies and pro loco and is available for planning with tour operators along the way.