• Religious Tourism
    • Art & Culture
    • Active & Green

Corte Sant'Andrea and the Via Francigena

Discover the landscape, gastronomy and cultural heritage that surround the Lodi stretch of the Via Francigena, connecting Corte Sant'Andrea to Orio Litta.

 

A popular route for tourists and pilgrims alike, the Via Francigena attracts numerous visitors from all over the world. In Corte Sant’Andrea, a hamlet of Senna Lodigiana, lies the ancient ford used by pilgrims travelling from Lombardy to Rome. We have put together an in-depth analysis of the history and traditions of this pilgrimage route.

The Via Francigena and UNESCO
The Via Francigena is a well-travelled pilgrimage route connecting Italy, Switzerland, France and England. This sacred road, which rivals the famous Camino de Santiago, is a testament to the journey taken by Sigeric, the Archbishop of Canterbury, on his way to Rome in 990. Seven of the Italian regions traversed by the Via Francigena have therefore applied to have this important route listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Deeply rooted in history, these fascinating places are well worth a visit.

Music, art and food along the Via Francigena
To celebrate the landscape, gastronomy and cultural heritage that surround the Lodi stretch of the Via Francigena, the Compagnia di Sigerico Laudense has created a unique event: the Pilgrim Festival (Ultreya!). In recent years, the initiative has been held in mid-September between Corte Sant'Andrea and Orio Litta, combining moments of prayer with art exhibitions, concerts (usually at the Grangia Benedettina) and tasting of typical Lodi cuisine.

What does Ultreya mean?
Derived from Latin, the world Ultreya literally means "onward". This historic term of encouragement is still used by pilgrims, and is answered with the expression "Et suseia" ("let's go higher"). Some historians, however, believe this word is an alternative form of "Alleluia", used to express the joy of having reached their goal.

Discover Corte Sant’Andrea
The hamlet of Corte Sant'Andrea, the location of the event, has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. This small settlement, protected from the Po by a high embankment, was recognised by the Archbishop of Canterbury as an important river crossing. After passing through the entrance arch, you will find a long row of houses and shops leading towards the river, the Church of Sant'Andrea on the main square, and several charming courtyards. Corte Sant'Andrea is a well-known stop for pilgrims making their way between Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. In fact, travellers can still use its ford—sometimes called the Sigeric Ford—to cross the Po River, giving them access to the Piacenza section of the Via Francigena.

For more information, see www.compagniadisigericolaudense.it

On the same topic

Coira and the Historic Spluga Trail

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

Cammino di Sant'Agostino

Retracing the Way of one of the most important figures of history will give an important new dimension to your awareness of life
  • Religious Tourism
Cammino di Sant'Agostino

The via Francigena

A road travelled for centuries by pilgrims, who headed South and made enormous sacrifices to reach the goal of the longed-for eternal city.
  • Religious Tourism
The via Francigena

Il Cammino di Santa Giulia

A treasure among treasures of this route: the monastery complex of Santa Giulia
  • Religious Tourism
Il Cammino di Santa Giulia

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

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

Churches Lecco

Churches, basilicas and shrines in Lecco and surroundings: a religious heritage between the Romanesque and the Marian cult
  • Religious Tourism
Churches Lecco, ideas for visiting

Corte Sant'Andrea and the Via Francigena

Follow the Via Francigena through Lodi to discover a world of history and tradition
  • Religious Tourism
Corte Sant'Andrea and the Via Francigena

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

The churches and jubilee paths of Lombardy

  • Religious Tourism
The churches and jubilee paths of Lombardy

Holy honey

A centuries-old tradition still alive in the abbeys
  • Religious Tourism
Where to buy honey made by monks in Lombardy

Way of St. Peter Martyr

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

Via Francigena Renana

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

Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII

It is located in the area called Isola Bergamasca and is now a destination for pilgrimages linked to the figure of Angelo GIuseppe Roncalli
  • Religious Tourism
Sotto il Monte - John XXVIII

La Via Matildica del Volto Santo

A great route of faith and culture
  • Religious Tourism
La Via Matildica del Volto Santo

Hospitality, monastery-style

Convents and monasteries places historically open to hospitality
  • Religious Tourism
Stay the night in a Lombardy monastery

Monks and beer cross paths in Monza and Buccinasco

Craft breweries in the monasteries of Lombardy
  • Religious Tourism
Craft beer brewing in the monasteries of Lombardy

Churches Monza

A journey discovering the history of the territory through architecture and spirituality.
  • Religious Tourism
Churches Monza, exploring Lombardy

Cammini della Regina

Percorsi storici da Coira a Como
  • Religious Tourism
Camini della Regina, religious itineraries from Coira to Como

Dom Perignon and Franciacorta

The strange story of the most famous wine in the world
  • Religious Tourism
The strange story of the most famous wine in the world