• Religious Tourism
    • Active & Green

La via degli Abati

A route rich in history and tradition that runs through a land of utterly unique landscapes, unchanged over time

The Abbots Way l crosses the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines in the provinces of Pavia, Piacenza, Parma and Massa Carrara in the town areas of: Pavia - Bobbio  - Coli - Farini - Bardi - Borgotaro - Pontremoli.

It is around 125 kilometres long and much more demanding then the better known Via Francigena, winding along footpaths, mule tracks and gravel tracks through valleys and across ridges for an overall altitude gain of more than 5000 metres.

Very little of it is on tarmac roads and these are limited to the larger towns.

The Abbots' Trail is a mountain trail used since the 7th century above all by those travelling on foot as the shortest route from Pavia to Lucca and onwards to Rome. The route was used by the Lombard kings and pre-dates the conquest of Byzantine Cisa and took in Bobbio abbey too where pilgrims going to Rome from France and Britain stopped to venerate the mortal remains of St. Columbanus, great Irish abbot and father, with St. Benedict, of European monasticism. For this reason St. Columbanus 'hospitales' had already sprung up along the route in the Lombard era. The route was also followed by the abbots of Bobbio en route to the popes in Rome on whom the abbey depended directly.

The trail starts in Pavia and passes through Canevino, Pometo and Caminata before climbing to Bobbio and continuing to Bardi, crossing Borgo Val di Taro and descending to Pontremoli, a total of around 192 km.


Other links

Facebook
Itinerario Via degli Abati

On the same topic

Via Francigena Renana

A Roman road between Reno and Po
  • Religious Tourism
Via Francigena renana, a roman way between the Rhine and the Po

Orio Litta and the Via Francigena

An evocative route that combines nature, faith and art, to explore on foot or by bicycle.
  • Religious Tourism
Orio Litta and the Via Francigena

The herbalist traditions of Lombardy’s monasteries

In the monasteries and abbeys of Lombardy, knowledge and flavors translate into high quality herbal products
  • Religious Tourism
Herbal products: where to buy them from Lombard monks

Religious Itineraries

Travel, walking
  • Religious Tourism
Religious itineraries, traveling on foot

Churches Pavia

The wonders of faith and the marvels of architecture in splendid religious buildings
  • Religious Tourism
Church Pavia, what to see

Monks' Way

Fifth stage of the Via Francigena Renana
  • Religious Tourism
Monks' Way

Churches Brescia

The religious one is a richness for Brescia which is one of the Italian cities with the highest number of churches on its territory
  • Religious Tourism
Churches Brescia, what to see in Lombardy

Churches Como

Como, appreciated for the beauty of its landscapes, combines beautiful villas and glimpses of the lake with beautiful churches
  • Religious Tourism
Churches Como, a guide to Lombardy

Way of St. Peter Martyr

Fourth stage of the Via Francigena Renana
  • Religious Tourism
Way of St. Peter

Churches Bergamo

Bergamo: a city with more beauties than you think. They are silent behind centuries-old facades of churches
  • Religious Tourism
Churches Bergamo, religious tourism

Coira and the Historic Spluga Trail

Un percorso tutto da scoprire
  • Religious Tourism
Discover Coira and the historic Spluga Trail

Via Francisca del Lucomagno

A historical route that extends from Constance to Pavia and then joins the Via Francigena to Rome
  • Religious Tourism
Ponte Coperto di Pavia

Churches in Lombardy

Great works of art are hosted in the churches in Lombardy. In fact, many sacred places are interesting for those who love cultural tourism
  • Religious Tourism
Churches in Lombardy, travel guide

The Moraine Hill Walk

A 170 km-route to discover the historic and cultural roots of the provinces of Mantua and Brescia.
  • Religious Tourism
The Moraine Hill Walk

A tour of the colours in art locations

A colour itinerary to rediscover some of Lombardy’s most fascinating locations for art and culture.
  • Religious Tourism
Tour luoghi d'arte

From Milan to the Charterhouse of Pavia

The 25th day of the Saint Augustine's Way.
  • Religious Tourism
from Milan to Certosa di Pavia

La Via Regina

The Queen of the Ways, ancient, crucial. A network of travellers’ hospices and monuments evidence of the historic importance of the route
  • Religious Tourism
La Via Regina

Il Cammin Breve

A "brief" guide to 7 churches in the heart of Milan
  • Religious Tourism
Il Cammin Breve

La via degli Abati

A route rich in history and tradition that runs through a land of utterly unique landscapes, unchanged over time
  • Religious Tourism
La via degli Abati

Km-0 in Lombardy: agriculture in monasteries

In the monasteries there is still the atmosphere of the past. If you want to buy genuine products, at Km 0, you can contact the monks
  • Religious Tourism
Km-0 agriculture in the monasteries of Lombardy