The Via Francigena del Sud: The value of pilgrimage routes in the development of inland areas. The state of the art of two emblematic cases

Abstract

On October 18th, 2019, the European Vie Francigene Association (AEVF) unanimously approved the Via Francigena in southern Italy, from Rome to Santa Maria di Leuca. The new route enriches the historical cultural itinerary approved by the Council of Europe in 1994. Encompassing about 900 km of history, traditions and locations, the “Via Francigena del Sud” crosses five Italian regions. This paper focuses on the Via Francigena in Puglia and Campania, seen as an opportunity to conserve and enhance the regions’ cultural and landscape heritage and its enjoyment by tourists. Furthermore, it also aims to analyse the role of local businesses, communities and regional organisations in promoting the routes. Any project focusing onthe development and enhancement of a cultural itinerary in a rural space must be fully aware of the connections between places and networks of human relationships, and the “Via Francigena del Sud” seems to be no exception.