The Magna Via Francegina – Palermo

This year, the prime purpose of my wife and I visiting Europe is to meet our new grandson, but I have time for a shorter walk than I normally undertake of just under 200km. The Via Magna Francigena is one of a network of walks across Sicily that follow ancient routes dating back to Roman times or earlier. This route was the first of 4 to be developed.

The name “Francigena” refers to France, and the best known recreated route with this name links Canterbury with Rome. I completed my very first pilgrimage walk along part of this route 10 years ago.

The term was also used during the Middle Ages in Sicily, possibly because the Norman French ruled the island after wresting it from Islamic rule in the 11th century.

As was the case all over medieval Europe, these old roads were used by pilgrims heading to destinations such as Santiago, Rome and Jerusalem.

The route is divided into 9 stages covering 187 kilometres. This part of Sicily has very undulating terrain. and every day has significant amounts of climbing.

The walk starts in Palermo, which was founded in 734 BC by the Phoenicians and today is the capital city of the Region of Sicily.

Palermo is home to such architectural masterpieces as the Palatine Chapel, commissioned by Norman King Roger II in 1132. The building is a fascinating mixture of Norman, Byzantine and North African Fatimid styles.

I’ve collected the first stamp on my credenziale at the cathedral which dates back to the 12th century.

Around Palermo.

The weather thankfully is getting cooler with a maximum of just 30 degrees tomorrow for my first day’s walk. There’s a long climb up to the little town of Santa Caterina Gela at 670m above sea level.