La Via degli Abati – the original pilgrim route across the Appennines
Many people are familiar with the Via Francigena, which passes through Lunigiana, but probably less so with the even older pilgrim route, La Via degli Abati
– The Abbots Way, which joins the Via Francigena at Pontremoli. La Via
degli Abati was originally the main and safest route across the
Apennines to the North between the 7th and 10th centuries.
The Via degli Abati was opened by the Irish monks of the powerful monastery of St Colombano
in Bobbio in the province of Piacenza to provide pilgrims with access
to Rome. Its importance declined when the crossing at Mont Bardone, now
the Cisa Pass and the route of the Via Francigena, opened up an easier
route after the fall of the fortress of Cisa, which was controlled by
the Byzantines up until the 8th century. Today, the Via degli Abati
crosses the provinces of Piacenza, Parma in Emilia Romagno and Massa
Carrara in Tuscany.
The 125 km Via degli Abati is becoming increasingly popular with hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders, and maintenance work is being carried out when possible to restore the original paths. There are still many historical buildings to be seen along the way, including the church of Coli, the historical centre of Bobbio, the church of San Christopher near Borgo val di Taro, and the manor houses of Bardi and Compiano.
Every year in early May, the Via degli Abati becomes the route of an ultra marathon, the Abbots Ultra Trail. Hundreds of dedicated runners take on the amazing challenge of running the 125 km route over the mountains. The event usually takes place in two stages with an overnight stop, roughly half-way.
