The Francigena route was a major pilgrimage path that stretched from Canterbury, England to Rome, Italy during the Middle Ages. It followed Roman roads and passed through important religious sites along its 1600 km route. In the 1970s, interest renewed in rediscovering the route as more pilgrims sought to walk to Rome as they did to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Today, markers help identify the historic path, though much of it is now covered by highways, as enthusiasts seek to preserve Europe's cultural heritage along the route.

1. the Francigena route by Valentina Rabellotti and Simona Baldinazzo Art High School and College “Felice Casorati” Novara, Italy

10. The total distance developed for 1600 km. Pilgrims often walked 20-25 km a day, travelling in group and on foot for penitential reasons.

11. The original route crossed thirty-three cities : Canterbury , Calais , Bruay , Arras , Reims , Châlons-sur-Marne , Bar-sur-Aube , Besançon , Pontarlier , Losanna , Gran San Bernardo , Aosta , Ivrea , Santhià , Vercelli , Pavia ( deviation for Bobbio ), Piacenza , Fiorenzuola , Fidenza ( deviation for Parma ), Fornovo , Pontremoli , Aulla , Luni , Lucca , Porcari , Altopascio , S. Genesio , S. Gimignano , Siena , S.Quirico , Bolsena , Viterbo , Sutri , Roma .

16. This recognition testifies Europe's cultural identity in the broadest sense of the word, by appreciating both its peculiarities and its unity and by laying special emphasis on its artistic patrimony.