Via Francesca della Sambuca

Via Francesca della Sambuca is a medieval pilgrimage road that links Bologna and Pistoia by crossing mountain passes while following the Reno and Limentradi Sambuca rivers. The route comprises multiple segments with varying terrain, passing through villages, valleys, and elevated regions along the way.

In 1144, Bishop Atto of Pistoia received a relic of Saint James from the Bishop of Compostela, establishing the city as a pilgrimage destination. This event marked the start of a significant route that brought pilgrims from northern regions to this sacred location.

The road displays traces of pilgrims through stone paths, rural chapels, and old shelter buildings that once housed travelers for centuries. Today visitors can see these remnants and understand how important this route was for people journeying to sacred destinations.

The terrain requires varying effort depending on the section, with the journey taking around 4 to 5 days to reach Pistoia from Bologna. Travelers should prepare for changeable mountain weather and wear proper footwear suited for long-distance walking.

This route offers one of the most accessible mountain passages west of Bologna, allowing walkers to traverse natural landscapes toward the Tyrrhenian Sea. This geographical advantage made it historically significant as a practical alternative to other more challenging mountain passes.