More than 40 participants currently traveling along the “EuroVelo 5 Romea Francigena” route (headed to Rome) were welcomed yesterday afternoon by the City Administration at the Be.Go. Museum.
A large group of 42 cycling tourists was welcomed yesterday afternoon at the Be.Go. Museum as part of the 22nd “BiciStaffetta” organized by FIAB (Italian Federation for the Environment and Bicycles), a one-of-a-kind initiative that aims to promote the BiciItalia cycling network while also highlighting the Via Francigena through a shared route.
The “BiciStaffetta” participants were welcomed by the municipal administration (with Mayor Francesca Giannì and Councilor for Tourism Franco Spina acting as hosts) for a discussion about the experiences the participants are having along the route.
Last year, in fact, FIAB signed a framework agreement with the European Association of the Via Francigena (AEVF) with the goal of proposing a shared route to local authorities and maximizing the promotion of the EV5 bike route. Among the objectives of the 22nd FIAB “BiciStaffetta” (in addition to the federation’s statutory goals, such as raising awareness of the social and economic benefits of cycling) are the on-the-ground verification of the viability of the identified Via Francigena route and engagement with local communities.
“This will make it possible,” reads a statement from FIAB, “to collect data, exchange knowledge, and receive feedback from local communities on ongoing or planned projects—all of which are essential for updating the maps of the EuroVelo European cycling tourism network.”
During their reception at the Be.Go. Museum, participants also took a guided tour of the Benozzo Gozzoli frescoes housed in the museum and were treated to light refreshments as a welcome gesture.
“We were delighted to accept FIAB’s proposal to host this group of cycling tourists,” emphasized the Councilor for Tourism and Events, Franco Spina—“especially because we fully share the initiative’s goals, which align perfectly with our vision of encouraging and promoting slow tourism, of which the Francigena is a cornerstone, since Castelfiorentino is one of the official ‘stops’ along the ancient route described by Sigeric. Not far from there is also the Chapel of the Madonna della Tosse, which originally housed a valuable fresco by Benozzo Gozzoli. This gave rise to the idea of meeting them at the Be.Go Museum, which now houses this work as well, so that this “stop” in Castelfiorentino could also become an opportunity to discover and appreciate one of the most representative sites of our historical and artistic heritage.”
