Via Francigena in Valdelsa
There is the Via Francigena “to discover” for those who have never tried to walk the ancient route described by Sigeric in 990 AD. There is the Via Francigena “to dream”, listening to poems, stories or legends of the past. And there is the Via Francigena to savour the joy of partying, amidst theatrical and musical performances, workshops and games for children, vintage markets and traditional dishes, art and craft demonstrations.
From Friday 4 to Sunday 6 October, Castelfiorentino (FI) will host “The Via Francigena in Valdelsa, between dream and legend”, a theatrical hiking festival along the “road territory” that in the past was used by pilgrims from Northern Europe to reach Rome, seat of the Pope and capital of the Christian world.
Promoted by the Municipality of Castelfiorentino with the patronage of the EAVF (European Association of Vie Francigene), the Region of Tuscany, the Metropolitan City of Florence, the Union of Municipalities Circondario Empolese Valdelsa, and seventeen municipalities in central Tuscany, this year’s event features among its main novelties the welcoming of a large delegation from Guebwiller, a locality in French Alsace with which the Municipality of Castelfiorentino has had a twinning pact for years, a poetic evening in the Church of Santa Chiara, annexed to the Monastery of Santa Maria della Marca (a place visited in the 13th century by St. Francis of Assisi) a theatre workshop for children on the Francigena on Saturday, the introduction of initiatives to promote local artists and an event under the banner of sustainability, with SvuotaSoffitte and craftsmen of recycling and recovery, all on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the centre of Castelnuovo d’Elsa.
Also confirmed are the other initiatives that are now part of a tried and tested format, with itineraries and routes suitable for everyone (even the less trained), where it will be possible to come across the “stones of the good path” scattered along the route by the Prociv Arci volunteers. A specific programme – from Monday 30 September to Friday 4 October – has also been set up for students, while an “accessible’ itinerary” is scheduled for Friday afternoon on a short stretch of the Francigena road at the bottom of the valley.
The festival kicks off on Friday evening in Castelfiorentino (via Bovio, Palazzo Brandini) where the friends of Guebwiller will be welcomed during a “Poor pilgrim’s dinner”, with theatrical entertainment, open to all (reservation required, cost 25 euro), while on Saturday 5 (in the Villa dei Fiori accommodation facility, near Coiano) children will be able to spend a whole day with some of the protagonists of the area’s paths, also performing a small theatrical show. On Saturday afternoon, in the Church of Santa Chiara (Monastery of Santa Maria della Marca), a meeting with poets Eleonora Nitti Capone, one of the most shining voices on the national poetic scene, and Massimiliano Bardotti, a poet and castellano doc. In the evening, a “theatrical night” through the streets of the hill town of Castelnuovo d’Elsa, a journey to discover characters and episodes from the Medici period articulated in five locations.
As of Saturday afternoon, walkers will also be able to savour the beauty of an enchanting landscape with the proposal of “Mangia e cammina”, a cultural-gastronomic itinerary, and the urban itinerary of the “Via Francigena at sunset”, in the company of the friends of Guebwiller. On Sunday 6 October, walkers can choose from three different itineraries: “Etruschigena”, a theatrical trekking experience from Coiano to Castelnuovo d’Elsa, from Castelfiorentino (railway station) to Castelnuovo d’Elsa, and finally from Montaione to Castelnuovo d’Elsa, with the opportunity to have lunch in Castelnuovo at the “Pilgrim’s canteen” (also open on Saturday evening). For those wishing to travel a longer distance, an “E-Bike” itinerary is planned, developing along the Valdelsa, the Val d’Egola and in Valdera. In the centre of Castelnuovo, a village festival with recycling artists, the streets of art, terracotta and watercolours, photographic sets, and the “Places of the Francigena’ exhibition; in the afternoon, games from the past and music and theatre shows, to discover the most evocative corners of the village of Castelnuovo.
“The festival along the Via Francigena”, emphasises the Mayor of Castelfiorentino, Francesca Giannì, “is an opportunity to rediscover our history and the beauty of the Valdelsa hillside landscape through various excursion proposals, suitable for everyone, but it is also an event that has taken on a cultural identity of its own over time, through a rich and diversified programme, in which poetry, music, theatre and entertainment activities in the centre of Castelnuovo represent a source of interest for a wider public and an attraction for tourists who may still be present in our area outside the summer season. I therefore thank all those who, in various ways, have contributed and collaborated in the organisation of this festival”.
“Castelnuovo and Coiano” – observes the Councillor for Tourism, Franco Spina – “are about to host our event “Via Francigena”, which is becoming more and more attractive and participatory, and which we hope will grow more and more, not only in terms of tourist presences, but above all in terms of interconnection and sharing between many realities, small and large, new or already gravitating around it: associations, receptivity, artistic and cultural heritage, and the environment. The programme, which brings together history, faith, spirituality, hiking, folklore, cuisine, music and art, is truly for everyone, to promote the territory but also to root traditions, build identity and community. To remind us who we are, where we come from and where we want to go. To remind us of the value (also symbolic) of walking and sharing”.
The event is organised with the contribution of Ente Cambiano Scpa
The following associations have collaborated: Circolo Arci and Comitato festaiolo Castelnuovo d’Elsa, Proloco Castelfiorentino, Associazione Culturale Teatrale GAT, Compagnia Trivia APS, TeatroCastello, Associazione Sguardo e Sogno, Toscana Hiking Experience, Associazione culturale Cetra, Associazione TeatroCastello, Associazione ‘Senza Barriere’ onlus,, Toscana By Bike, Castello di Coiano, Associazione Agricoltori Castelfiorentino, Associazione Archeologica Valdelsa Fiorentina, Associazione Creativondoro di Vinci, Comitato di Gemellaggio, Gruppo Fotografico ‘Giglio Rosso’, Istituto Superiore ‘F. Enriques’, Istituto Comprensivo, Prociv Arci, Rav, Misericordia Castelfiorentino
For information: www.comune.castelfiorentino.fi.it and www.visitcastelfiorentino.it, the FB and Instagram page of the Municipality of Castelfiorentino.
The complete programme of the event can be consulted in digital format at the link Programme 2024
