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This leg is 25.3 km long and begins in Altopascio; it takes less than 6 hours to complete. In the initial section of the path, in Galleno, trekkers walk on the ancient dirth road of the Via Francigena. After crossing the hills of Cerbaie, wild and deserted, you can head for the Cappiano Bridge.
From here, along the banks of the Usciana canal, you can cross the ancient swamp that has been drained and go up to the center of Fucecchio. After crossing the Arno, you will come to San Miniato, the once powerful medieval town.
Water and refreshments are availble in Chimenti, Galleno, Bridge a Cappiano, and Fucecchio.
CLICK HERE FOR A MAP
Total length (km): 25.3
Type of travel: On foot, by mountain bike
Travel time on foot (h: min): 5.40
Difference in height (m): 283
Descent (m): 173
Maximum height (m): 130
Difficulty: Easy
Paved roads: 44%
Dirt roads and driveways: 53%
Mule tracks and trails: 3%
Cycling: 100%
Getting to the point of departure: Florence-Viareggio railway line, station Altopascio
WHAT TO SEE
Altopascio - A major hospice centre in in Europe in the Middle Ages, Altopascio is important among pilgrims that still passing through, who stay in the guest quarters that are many managed by the City. The story of Altopascio starts with the Hospice of Tau, from the early eleventh century. On the Via Francigena, it has given hospitality and assistance to the pilgrims, the sick and the poor, for centuries. Since 1191, the time of Philip Augustus, Altopascio was simply called "The Hospice or Hospital" throughout Europe. It has been written about by Boccaccio, Machiavelli and Shakespeare. Next to the silo granaries is the small but interesting archaeological museum. The content of the museum shows many aspects of life of the area, from the twelfth to the nineteenth century.
Fucecchio - Pastoral activities at the end of the twelfth century is an element closely related to the birth of the town. Must-sees include the Abbey of San Salvatore di Fucecchio, rebuilt after 1106 in the current location. The Abbey was founded by the Cadolingi Counts, who transformed the Church that had existed since the tenth century to allow the Arno river crossing of the Via Romea.
Castelfranco di Sotto and Orentano – Archeological museums of Castelfranco and Orentano - The via Francigena in Galleno
Located in the Cerbaie hills, the residential area of Galleno corresponds to the Grasse Geline mentioned by Filippo Augusto of France during his return from the third crusade (1191). It was here in the 11th century that a court of the Cadolingi counts was contested by the bishop of Lucca and the hospital of Altopascio with the goal of certifying their presence on the important itinerary. Since at least 1418, the border between the cities of Castelfranco and Fucecchio runs along the moat of the Galleno castle and the late medieval road that was a reconstruction of an ancient portion of the Via Francigena crossed by the French king. The conservation of the road is due to the removal of traffic following the Via Regia Traversa of Valdinievole in the 18th century. Here you can visit the Archaeological Museum of Castelfranco and Orentano.
HOSPITALITY FOR PILGRIMS
- Altopascio: Foresteria degli Ospitalieri, Via Casali - Per informazioni e prenotazioni: Biblioteca Comunale Tel 0583 216280 - Ufficio Turismo Tel 0583 216525 -turismo@comune.altopascio.lu.it – 7 spots
- Fucecchio: Ostello il Ponte dei Medici, Via Colombo 237, Ponte a Cappiano - Tel 0571 297831 - Fax 0571 287049 - pontemedici@ponteverde.it – 40 spots - Breakfast: from 3 to 5 euro - Lunch basket: 7 euro
- San Miniato Alto: Convento San Francesco, P.za San Francesco 1 - Tel/fax 0571 43051 - 0571 43398 - 55 spots
- San Miniato Basso: Misericordia di San Miniato Basso, P.za Vicenzo Cuoco 9 - Tel/fax 0571 419455/160 - Tel 0571 419160 - Cell 339 8723682 - mario.giugni@libero.it - www.misericiordiasanminiatobasso.org – 15 spots
From here, along the banks of the Usciana canal, you can cross the ancient swamp that has been drained and go up to the center of Fucecchio. After crossing the Arno, you will come to San Miniato, the once powerful medieval town.
Water and refreshments are availble in Chimenti, Galleno, Bridge a Cappiano, and Fucecchio.
CLICK HERE FOR A MAP
Total length (km): 25.3
Type of travel: On foot, by mountain bike
Travel time on foot (h: min): 5.40
Difference in height (m): 283
Descent (m): 173
Maximum height (m): 130
Difficulty: Easy
Paved roads: 44%
Dirt roads and driveways: 53%
Mule tracks and trails: 3%
Cycling: 100%
Getting to the point of departure: Florence-Viareggio railway line, station Altopascio
WHAT TO SEE
Altopascio - A major hospice centre in in Europe in the Middle Ages, Altopascio is important among pilgrims that still passing through, who stay in the guest quarters that are many managed by the City. The story of Altopascio starts with the Hospice of Tau, from the early eleventh century. On the Via Francigena, it has given hospitality and assistance to the pilgrims, the sick and the poor, for centuries. Since 1191, the time of Philip Augustus, Altopascio was simply called "The Hospice or Hospital" throughout Europe. It has been written about by Boccaccio, Machiavelli and Shakespeare. Next to the silo granaries is the small but interesting archaeological museum. The content of the museum shows many aspects of life of the area, from the twelfth to the nineteenth century.
Fucecchio - Pastoral activities at the end of the twelfth century is an element closely related to the birth of the town. Must-sees include the Abbey of San Salvatore di Fucecchio, rebuilt after 1106 in the current location. The Abbey was founded by the Cadolingi Counts, who transformed the Church that had existed since the tenth century to allow the Arno river crossing of the Via Romea.
Castelfranco di Sotto and Orentano – Archeological museums of Castelfranco and Orentano - The via Francigena in Galleno
Located in the Cerbaie hills, the residential area of Galleno corresponds to the Grasse Geline mentioned by Filippo Augusto of France during his return from the third crusade (1191). It was here in the 11th century that a court of the Cadolingi counts was contested by the bishop of Lucca and the hospital of Altopascio with the goal of certifying their presence on the important itinerary. Since at least 1418, the border between the cities of Castelfranco and Fucecchio runs along the moat of the Galleno castle and the late medieval road that was a reconstruction of an ancient portion of the Via Francigena crossed by the French king. The conservation of the road is due to the removal of traffic following the Via Regia Traversa of Valdinievole in the 18th century. Here you can visit the Archaeological Museum of Castelfranco and Orentano.
HOSPITALITY FOR PILGRIMS
- Altopascio: Foresteria degli Ospitalieri, Via Casali - Per informazioni e prenotazioni: Biblioteca Comunale Tel 0583 216280 - Ufficio Turismo Tel 0583 216525 -turismo@comune.altopascio.lu.it – 7 spots
- Fucecchio: Ostello il Ponte dei Medici, Via Colombo 237, Ponte a Cappiano - Tel 0571 297831 - Fax 0571 287049 - pontemedici@ponteverde.it – 40 spots - Breakfast: from 3 to 5 euro - Lunch basket: 7 euro
- San Miniato Alto: Convento San Francesco, P.za San Francesco 1 - Tel/fax 0571 43051 - 0571 43398 - 55 spots
- San Miniato Basso: Misericordia di San Miniato Basso, P.za Vicenzo Cuoco 9 - Tel/fax 0571 419455/160 - Tel 0571 419160 - Cell 339 8723682 - mario.giugni@libero.it - www.misericiordiasanminiatobasso.org – 15 spots
