The Way of St. Francis is a pilgrimage through the heart of Italy, following landscapes and places associated with St. Francis of Assisi. Our journey began in Florence, among the masterpieces of the Renaissance, and continued through the beautiful countryside and forests of Tuscany and Umbria, through Assisi, before eventually reaching Rome.
Pat and I walked approximately 550 kilometers (350 miles), experiencing a very different kind of pilgrimage from the Camino routes of Spain and France. Along the way were medieval hill towns, quiet forests, beautiful churches, and many places connected with the life of St. Francis.
One of the most memorable experiences was arriving at the Sanctuary of La Verna, high in the mountains, a place deeply associated with the spiritual life of St. Francis. Assisi was even more meaningful. We took a rest day there, allowing ourselves time simply to experience the town and its sacred places. On our journey home, we were drawn back to Assisi once again. I have always felt a special connection with St. Francis, and there is a spiritual presence in Assisi that I feel deeply within my being.
And, of course, Italy added pleasures of its own—the wonderful food, cafés, gelato, and the simple joy of arriving in another beautiful Italian town at the end of a day’s walk.
The combination of pilgrimage, history, nature, art, Italian culture, and the spiritual presence of St. Francis made this one of our most memorable walking journeys.
The way of St. Francis (Florence to Rome via Assisi) Journey ->
Camino Mystic 