Over time, the Francigena grew in importance, becoming also the hub of intense trade and commerce, as well as being used by numerous armies in their movements. Fucecchio, who owes this pilgrimage route part of its first development, was part of that part of the route that, after touching Lucca and Altopascio, went into the woods of Cerbaie and passed the Arno to continue, then, in the direction of Siena and the territories of Lazio.
In Sigerico’s handwritten notes on the crossing of the Arno, there are both "Arne Blanca" and "Aqua Nigra", respectively stages 23 and 24 of the return journey to England: they refer to today’s Fucecchio and the passage to Ponte a Cappiano. More precise information can be found in the introductory text of the museum network of the Valdarno di sotto, where we read:
The alternative trails of the 29th stage of the Via Francigena
In March 2021, the European Association of Vie Francigene approved the alternative route to stage 29 of the Via Francigena, which affects the municipalities of Altopascio, Fucecchio and Ponte Buggianese and brings pilgrims to know the extraordinary natural areas of this territory.
The route starts from Altopascio passing through the nature reserve of Lake Sibolla and continues on embankments and country roads to get to the Dogana del Capannone (Ponte Buggianese) from where, along the Padule di Fucecchio, you reach the Medici bridge of Ponte a Cappiano (Fucecchio).
The variant Altopascio-Ponte Buggianese-Fucecchio is also the only one on the route of the Via Francigena to offer, compatibly with water levels, the opportunity to walk a part of the track on the characteristic boats of the Padule.
Discover the stories inspired by the regional stages of Francigena on the portal of Toscana Ovunque Bella.
