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New developments also in sight for the Salt Walk of Cervia

The Via Romea Germanica is now a “European Cultural Route” like the Santiago Walk and the Via Francigena, until yesterday the only recognised walk in Italy. The Council of Europe has granted maximum recognition to the walk of history, culture and tourism that from the North of Germany crosses the entire continent and Italy from the Brenner Pass to reach Rome. The Via Romea Germanica is thus added to the list of certified Routes, allowing access to important Community calls for tenders.

Today, the Via Romea Germanica is a European Walk of 2200 km which starts from Stade (north of Hamburg) to reach Rome. In Italy, there are more than 1100 km of route from the Brenner Pass to the Capital, crossing magnificent scenery, historical towns and landscapes from the mountain to the plain. The Via Romea Germanica also connects with the Salt Walk, which from Cervia reaches the ancient pilgrims’ way, crossing the salt pans and reaching the hills of Forlì to continue on the track of the Via Romea Germanica to Rome to deliver the salt to the Pope, just as it has happened every year since 2003.

A perfectly signposted walk, which can be travelled in full (2200 km) or in stages, the Via Romea Germanica offers spectacular landscapes (from the German plains to the Alps, from the art cities to the Apennines), and a rich emotional experience. A route full of history, culture, art and architecture. A true must for those who enjoy “slow” safe tourism, in the open air, in the wellness of walking.

For centuries, the Via Romea Germanica has been defined “the melior via” for the people of the North: pilgrims and travellers from the Baltic area, Scandinavia and the North of Germany. The European Association of the Via Romea Germanica with its volunteers and staff has collaborated for many years with the towns, the Regions and the public bodies of the areas crossed to promote the development of slow, sustainable and respectful tourism. More than 80 town administrations, including Cervia, have chosen to be part of it. Many regions, Consortia, Tour Companies and Natural Parks have joined. The Via Romea Germanica lives off local and European participation and development. The tourists and pilgrims travel in safety thanks to the “credential” issued by the Association and which attests their status of “peregrinus ad limina Petri et Pauli”. The credential also gives access to discounts on overnight stays and meals in the affiliated facilities.

“A European recognition at high level which opens new scenarios and implements the enhancement of our territory and of the Salt Walk which from Cervia merges and continues on the via Romea Germanica – declares Gabriele Armuzzi, deputy mayor of Cervia – Each year, the pilgrim’s walk allows us to maintain and increase relations with the villages of the Apennines and to present an extra tourist offer among the slow tourism proposals in direct contact with nature. A thank you to all those who make available work and experience every year so that the event can be a success”.

A challenge and a great opportunity – comments the European President of the Association Via Romea Germanica, Flavio Foietta – that will make our walk grow, and implement our activities alongside the territories, for a cultural, tourist and economic development. We thank the many public bodies who are our associates: municipalities, Regions, Provinces, Tourism companies, Natural parks and consortia have supported us and the growth of this project for many years. From the North Sea to Rome, we now intend to strengthen this collaboration, bringing new life to the project.”

 

 

Cervia, 3rd November 2020