Via Francigena from Vercelli to Piacenza

In Vercelli, you can rest before the day’s walk to Robbio or do some sight-seeing and sample the culture of the town. If you decide to explore the town, the Cathedral of Vercelli is a great place to start. Inside it are wonderful paintings from local artists. The city is also famous for its rice products, so we recommend trying out some dishes before leaving for Robbio.

Today’s walk is gentle going, through flat farmland with little incline. You will stroll along dirt tracks moving from Piedmont to Lombardy. Lombardy is famous not only for its lakes (Garda, Como, and Maggiore) but also its wine and rice production. You will pass by the small village of Palestra before heading into Robbio for the night.

Pass by the town’s sports stadium and walk through pleasant farmland and fields. Halfway through, you will cross the Torrente Agogna River after which you will pass Madona del Campo and its 12th Century church, Santa Maria de Pertica. Today’s walk is short, giving you the chance to enjoy free time and visit the Church of San Croce in Mortara, containing a cast of a footprint of Christ.

Today, you will pass beautiful flowing rivers before walking under the underpass. You will then come across the magnificent Abbazia di San Alcuino which was founded in the 5th Century. Charlemagne rebuilt it in 774 AD. After passing through Tromello, you will reach the Santuario Basilica Madonna delle Bozzole, and hear the incredible story of how the sanctuary came to be. Walking through the field tracks after the sanctuary you will see where Garlasco is found with its very impressive castle, which you can’t miss.

The walk today is a little bit longer and a bit more challenging than the previous ones. Garlasco’s main roads pass by its churches and out into the countryside. Canals here bring you to earth tracks, where you can take in the fresh air and observe the beautiful nature around you. Entering Gropello Cairoli, you can visit San Rocco Church with its incredible medallion hanging outside the front door. An easy stroll on a field track brings you by a tarmac road near a motorway. After going under the motorway, there are trees for some shade before going under two more bridges. Steps by a covered bridge lead into Pavia, famous for its wine and rice products. The Certosa and the Castello Visconteo are the best places to see in this tranquil town.

Today’s walk is filled with gorgeous churches to brighten up the day. Cross a canal from Pavia, following the road to San Lazzaro Church. A small hill nearby leads to a footpath by a nice park and then a small road after San Leonardo brings you to San Giacomo della Cerretta. A church here contains beautiful frescoes of James the Pilgrim. Meandering then down a minor road you will reach Santa Margherita before arriving into Belgioioso. Within the town, there is a mediaeval castle – Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo. This is where Francis I of France was held after the Battle of Pavia.

Follow a gravel track and cross the bridge over the Fiume Olona towards Corteolona. The track then becomes a paved road as you enter Santa Cristina e Bissone.

Following the railway line alongside an embankment, you will arrive at a railway station and your stop for the night, Miradolo Terme. Here you can visit the Baths of Miradolo, a thermal spa and wellness centre, and relax before your final day of walking.

Today is the final leg to the last town – Piacenza. It is a long day, so remember to pace yourself. This route consists of a series of dirt tracks, roadsides, bridges, and railways. You can also take a boat ride across the River Po if you wish. Impressive churches are scattered throughout the day, as well as the magnificent Neomedieval Castello Cusani Visconti in Chignolo Po where you can take a break. Finally, you will arrive in the beautiful and charming town of Piacenza.

After breakfast, we bid you farewell. After your night’s rest, you should be in good spirit’s to visit the fantastic Palazzo Comunale (Gotico). Piacenza is also famous for its salted pork products, so it’s well worth trying their pancetta, coppa, and salami dishes!