A Day Dedicated to the Future of Slow Tourism in Tuscany

On 11 April 2026, Monteriggioni once again became what it has been for centuries: a gateway for pilgrims, a meeting point, a crossroads of stories. The fortified village, with its perfectly preserved medieval walls, hosted a full day dedicated to the Via Francigena, the historic European route that leads from Canterbury to Rome, crossing Tuscany in all its beauty.

The event brought together regional representatives, tourism professionals, walking associations, and local residents — all united by a shared goal: strengthening the role of the Via Francigena as a driver of sustainable tourism and supporting the Region of Tuscany’s intention to promote it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Via Francigena: A Cultural Landscape That Connects People and Places

The Via Francigena is more than a trail. It is a living cultural landscape, a mosaic of medieval villages, Romanesque churches, rolling hills, forests, and white gravel roads. Every year, thousands of walkers travel along it — for spiritual reasons, for sport, or simply to rediscover a more human pace.

During the Monteriggioni event, three key themes emerged:

• Identity — The Francigena tells the story of Europe: its exchanges, its spirituality, its shared heritage.
• Local economy — Slow tourism brings widespread value to hostels, agriturismi, small shops, guides, and local producers.
• Sustainability — It is a model of travel that respects and enhances the territory without overwhelming it.

The Vision of the Region of Tuscany: Toward UNESCO Recognition

Regional authorities attending the event delivered a clear message: Tuscany believes the Via Francigena is a universal heritage. The candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage status is not just symbolic — it represents a concrete commitment to:

• protect the route and its landscapes
• improve signage and services
• support the municipalities along the way
• promote the Francigena worldwide as a cultural experience of excellence

UNESCO recognizes places that represent a shared legacy of humanity. With its thousand‑year history and its ability to connect people and territories, the Francigena embodies this spirit perfectly.

Slow Tourism: Tuscany’s New Frontier

For us tour operators, the Via Francigena is much more than an itinerary — it is a laboratory for the future. Travelers increasingly seek authenticity, nature, and meaningful encounters. Tuscany, with its iconic landscapes and widespread hospitality network, is the ideal setting for this kind of experience.

The Monteriggioni event confirmed that walking journeys are not a passing trend: they are a way of traveling that creates connections, generates value, and showcases Tuscany in its purest form.

Conclusion: A Path That Continues

The 11 April 2026 event marked an important step toward an ambitious goal: having the Via Francigena recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But like every journey, this one progresses step by step — through the collaboration of local communities, the passion of walkers, and the vision of regional institutions.

And we, as tourism professionals, are ready to accompany every traveler along this extraordinary route that has crossed Tuscany for over a millennium.