Via Francigena

Corte Sant’Andrea - village near Senna Lodigiana, 34th stop along Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome

Via Francigena (also Via Franchigena) is one of the most important routes for spiritual pilgrimage since the Middle Ages, unfolding on the ancient Vie Romane.

Via Francigena develops on the pilgrimage trail followed by Bishop Sigerico (10th century) from Canterbury to Rome, for a total of 1,600 km in 79 stops, which he meticulously reported in his travel diary. One of the most significant stretches along the route is located in Italy, more precisely in the Lodigiano area. It is the Transitum Padi (Po river crossing), at Corte Sant’Andrea, an ancient village that still unfolds (near Senna Lodigiana) along the river bank.

The historic stretch of Via Francigena in the territory of Lodi also includes Orio Litta and Senna Lodigiana. From Chignolo Po (Pavia), cross Ponte di Mariotto on the Lambro river, then continue along the banks of the Lambro for 2 km then turn left on a rough terrain (private) road to reach the village of Orio Litta.

After visiting the 19th century Oratorio della Beata Vergine di Caravaggio, the parish church of S. Giovanni Battista Martire and the Benedictine cell in Cascina S. Pietro (dating back to 1000 AD), enjoy a visit of the 18th century Villa Litta Carini.

Drive down provincial road no. 206, flanking the imposing Villa from the late Baroque period; after a few hundred metres the route continues on rough terrain to Cascina Cantarana. Cross the small bridge on the Ancona ditch (the old Lambro river bed), and continue to reach the Po river at Sant’Andrea, a village still under the municipal jurisdiction of Senna Lodigiana, where the memorial stone of Madonnina dei Pescatori marks the ford of Sigerico. A recent installation of a Colonna Francigena marks the road to Rome and the boarding site for pilgrims at the small port.

Information: Compagnia di Sigerico - Senna Lodigiana Giovanni Favari -
Tel +39 339 1268946 - giovannifavari[@]yahoo.it - www.viafrancigena.eu