Walking is not just a way to get from one place to another. For thousands of people, it has become an experience of reflection, an opportunity to slow down the pace of daily life and rediscover themselves. This is the deeper meaning of the great paths of Emilia-Romagna, a region crossed by ancient pilgrimage routes that still lead today to sanctuaries, abbeys, parish churches, and small villages rich in history and spirituality.

In recent years, slow tourism has experienced constant growth, and more and more pilgrims, hikers, and travelers are choosing to take on itineraries that combine nature, culture, and faith.

Continue reading The paths of Emilia-Romagna: an inner journey on the Via Francigena and the trails of faith at Vaticano.com.

There is a place in Italy where it seems as though the mountain embraces a church and the sky is just a few steps away. It is the Santuario della Madonna della Corona, set into the rocky face of Monte Baldo, in the territory of Ferrara di Monte Baldo, in the province of Verona. At an altitude of 774 meters overlooking the Adige Valley, this extraordinary place of worship appears literally suspended in the void, so much so that it is considered one of the most evocative sanctuaries in Europe.

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In the heart of the Val di Non, in Trentino, stands one of the most fascinating places of spirituality in Italy. Perched on a rock spur over 70 meters high and surrounded by woods, gorges, and silence, the Hermitage of San Romedio has been a destination for pilgrimages, a place of prayer, and a symbol of the search for God through solitude and contemplation for centuries. Its spectacular position represents not only a landscape marvel, but also tells a precise spiritual choice: that of hermitage, experienced as a detachment from the noise of the world to rediscover what is essential.

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Turn off your phone, get away from traffic, and spend a few days following the slow pace of a monastic community. More and more people are choosing to take this kind of break, not necessarily for religious reasons, but to rediscover focus, rest, and a rhythm of time different from that imposed by daily life. Lombardy, known above all for its dynamic cities and its manufacturing base, actually guards a network of monasteries and abbeys that open their doors to guests, offering simple hospitality, silence, and the possibility of living an extraordinary experience just a few kilometers from Milan.

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There are places that seem to ask the visitor to slow down even before they arrive. The Abbey of San Fruttuoso, hidden among the cliffs of the Portofino Promontory, is one of these. There are no roads that lead directly to this ancient monastery: to reach it, you must board a boat or tackle one of the paths that cross the Portofino Park. And it is precisely this apparent difficulty that makes it so special.

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There are places that seem to guard something more than their history. Places where stone tells of centuries of faith, legends intertwine with reality, and every view leaves room for unanswered questions. The Sacra di San Michele, a symbolic monument of Piedmont, is one of these. Perched on the summit of Mount Pirchiriano, at the entrance to the Susa Valley, it has dominated the landscape for over a thousand years and continues to fascinate thousands of visitors every year.

Continue reading The mysteries of Piedmont: the esotericism of the Sacra di San Michele and the Magic Line at Vaticano.com.

There are places that seem to exist outside of time. Not because they have remained unchanged, but because the landscape, the climate, and their history are still able today to convey the same feeling that travelers felt centuries ago. The Great St Bernard Hospice is one of these. At almost 2,500 meters in altitude, on the border between Italy and Switzerland, it continues to watch over the alpine pass as it has for nearly a thousand years, defying the frost, the snow, and an isolation that for long months makes this corner of the Aosta Valley one of the most extreme in the entire Alpine range.

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Plenary indulgence in the places of worship and pilgrimage established in the journey of faith of the “Ora viene il bello” initiative. This initiative will be active, in the Italian sanctuaries that have chosen to participate, for the months of June, July and August and until September 17th, the day of the “Pilgrimage of the Gods”.

The National Office for the Pastoral Care of Leisure, Tourism and Sport of the Italian Episcopal Conference has included the “Ora viene il bello” initiative within the “Night of the Sanctuaries”, in order to “create generative experiences of tourism and religious hospitality, of pilgrimages and journeys of faith, activating virtuous collaborations with bodies, associations and companies for the valorization and relaunch of the territories”, as can be read from the Cei press release.

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Starting July 1st, the Camino de Santiago reopens, a unique experience that attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the world every year. For Italians, it will be possible to reach Spain without any restrictions.

Continue reading Return to the Camino de Santiago at Vaticano.com.