This famous and historic road that leads to Rome (“Romea”) closely touches many municipalities in upper Lazio and in the area of Lake Bolsena. Coming from Tuscany and starting from Centeno, part of the municipality of Proceno, the Via Francigena follows a path towards Rome through the main municipalities of the lake area: Acquapendente, San Lorenzo Nuovo, Bolsena, Montefiascone, Viterbo, S. Martino al Cimino, Vetralla, Capranica, Sutri and Ronciglione, alternating sections coinciding with the SS Cassia sometimes dirt roads immersed in woods and agricultural funds, or within the towns themselves where passersby from distant historical periods have left traces of their passage.
If in ancient times the road led to Rome pilgrims, prelates, merchants who were looking for the “lost heavenly homeland”, today in addition to always maintaining its religious significance, the road is a long journey at a European level that attracts lovers of trekking and excursions also by bicycle and you will find some of its most fascinating passages right in the area of Lake Bolsena. There are those who travel along it for long stretches, some only locally, but the Via Francigena represents for many a trip not to be missed. The itinerary is traced by the appropriate brown signs and in many villages the parishes usually offer welcoming accommodation.
There are numerous well detailed guides about the way to go and the stops worth a visit (the first dates back to 990 AD when the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sigeric, wrote a very accurate report of the return trip from Rome, in the drafting of his account 79 stages are mentioned from which it was possible to trace the original route of the road).