Fucecchio, a transit place of pilgrims coming from England and France, but not only: it is here, in fact, that the Via Francigena met with Romea Strata, an equally important route for those coming from the regions of Central and Eastern Europe, meant to reach Rome.
The Romea Strata is a journey of over 1300 kilometers that consists of many different routes and that touches five Italian regions (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto, Emilia Romagna and Tuscany) ideally bringing together under the same name all those routes that from the north-east of Italy allowed pilgrims from present-day Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria, as well as from the Balkan area and Croatia, to arrive in Rome - and from there on, It was possible to continue to the southern ports, from which to embark for Jerusalem.
The route is divided into nine sections, whose names recall the territories and the ancient roads traveled, and Fucecchio is the arrival point of the route called Nonantolana-Longobarda, which begins in Fanano and ends in the Tuscan town, for a total of 99 km.
In 2020, Fucecchio was also the leader of the 12 municipalities that make up the territorial area of Romea Strata Tuscany, namely Abetone-Cutigliano, San Marcello-Piteglio, Pistoia, Serravalle Pistoiese, Monsummano Terme, Larciano, Quarrata, Lamporecchio, Vinci, Cerreto Guidi, Fucecchio, San Miniato. The rediscovery of this road network has confirmed the deep identity of Fucecchio, always an authentic crossroads of ancient paths, people from all over, stories and emotions.
Romea Strata is an initiative of the Pilgrimage Office of the Diocese of Vicenza, in collaboration with the Centro Italiano Studi Compostellani. To learn more visit the website www.romeastrata.it
