Journey from the Eternal City to Italy’s sun-drenched southern tip on the final stage of the legendary Via Francigena, where timeless towns, ancient pilgrimage roads, and sweeping coastlines lead you from Rome to Santa Maria di Leuca. Discover the heart of southern Italy as you traverse volcanic lakes, forested ridges, and olive-clad hills, following in the footsteps of pilgrims. Ideal for long-distance walkers and those seeking a classic pilgrimage adventure, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook presents the fourth stage of the Via Francigena, described in 45 day-long stages and covering 940km (584 miles) from Rome through Lazio, Campania, and Puglia to the sanctuary at Santa Maria di Leuca. Two major alternatives, the spectacular Monte Sant’Angelo variant and the scenic Via Litoranea coastal route, allow you to tailor your journey to your ambitions and schedule. Includes advice for walking the route in sections, making this section of the Via Francigena accessible whether you have several weeks or just a few days to spare.Stages are clearly described with distance, ascent/descent, estimated walking times, and difficulty ratings, allowing you to plan your ideal journey on the final section of the Via Francigena, whether you prefer a gentle pace or a more challenging itinerary.Explore southern Italy’s rich heritage, from the historic cities of Bari, Brindisi, and Lecce to picturesque villages such as Troia, Otranto, and Monopoli, and enjoy the warm hospitality of local inns and pilgrim lodgings.Each stage features 1:100,000 mapping and elevation profiles, with free downloadable GPX tracks for confident navigation throughout your Via Francigena pilgrimage.Accommodation, refreshment, and facility listings are provided for every stage of this final section of the Via Francigena, alongside practical advice on public transport, packing, pilgrimage credentials, and baggage transport.The Via Francigena in the South is best enjoyed from spring through autumn, when the countryside and coast are at their most beautiful, and the weather is ideal for walking.Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the Via Francigena, covering the journey from Canterbury to Rome, are available as companion Cicerone guidebooks, enabling you to complete the full pilgrimage across Europe. Plan your southern Italian pilgrimage with the definitive Cicerone guidebook to the Via Francigena – Part 4, and complete your journey from Rome to the windswept sanctuary at Santa Maria di Leuca, discovering a route that blends spiritual tradition, Italian hospitality, and the ever-changing beauty of the peninsula’s southern landscapes.
