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Qualitative research
Geo-historical documentation
Archival research
Landscape analysis (GIS) using
digitised 19th century cadastre
Field surveys
Investigation of the landscape
features (morphology,
archaeological evidences)
Ethnographic investigation
Qualitative interviews with
insiders (locals with activity) and
outsiders (pilgrims) (c. 50 in total)
Quantitative research
Heritage census
Cataloguing of the cultural and
historical elements associated
with Via Francigena
Spatial analysis
GIS analysis to determine an area
of
road influence
Ethnographic investigation
Qualitative questionnaires with
insiders (locals with activity, c.100
in total) and outsiders (pilgrims, c.
300 in total)
A Cultural Geography of Via Francigena: Landscape, Heritage, Pilgrimage
PhD student: Leonardo Porcelloni
Supervisors: Prof Charles Watkins and Prof Ross Balzaretti
Aims of the research
Introduction: This project explores the cultural landscape of via Francigena: a route which developed in the early Middle Ages, but with links
to previous tracts of Roman roads. This was a major communication route which connected Rome with the Frankish Empire, other areas of the old
continent and towards another important and farther
locus sacrum
, Jerusalem.
The focus is on the territorialising role that the road has played in shaping the crossed landscape. As result of this, it is possible to interpret the
surrounding settlements, the associated material and intangible heritage from the point of view of the road system. Moreover, the aim is to
comprehend the use of via Francigena to investigate on the modern phenomenon of pilgrimage.
The research has two case studies: 1) the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines; 2) the Southern Tuscany countryside with Monte Amiata.
Methodology
Investigation samples and preliminary results
Archives and ancient maps Quantitative questionnaires
Field surveys
Semi-structured interviews
A study of historical maps (17th to 19th centuries) with references to
Medieval sources and studies to analyse analogies and differences about
the road network
Through the application of qualitative interviews, the main aims are to deepen the experience
of the journey and the consequences of the tourist exploitation
The aim of the questionnaires is to measure the pilgrimage experience in relation to the
landscape, the practicability of the track and the relationship between pilgrims and locals.
Fig.5 Sample question: “How significant do you consider the following landscape features on this tract of
the Via Francigena?”
Overall, the radar chart depicts similarities between the study cases and a substantial
importance attributed to the historical features and pilgrimage components
To compare evidence from documents and the field
Fig.1 ASFI, Piante antiche dei confini, n.81, 1660
Fig.2 The remains of the San
Giacomo hospital c13th
(xenodochium)
Fig.3 The mule track
“Via degli Scaleri”
(Medieval origin)
France, a pilgrim: “The
landscape
it is so inspiring!”[…]“When I’ll be
back
I’ll be more sensitive
: don’t wait until someone asks for help, but
if you think someone might need help do the first step.”
Fausto, a local host: “We must pay attention that via Francigena does not
become an amusement park.
It must remain authentic
. It mustn’t be
distorted.”
Gabriella, a local host: “Via Francigena, or the walk in itself,
is like a
hospital
where you go to take care of yourself. It is an
itinerary clinic
.”
Contacts:
leonardo.porcelloni@nottingham.ac.uk
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/geography/people/leonardo.porcelloni
2) The heritage inclusion
strategy
A replicable strategy to include
local goods
4) Support to the
“patrimonialisation”
process and tourist offer
Analysis of the institutional
context of via Francigena
(EAVF, Unesco)
3) Comprehension of the
pilgrimage experience
A qualitative and quantitative
investigation of the path users
1) The geo-historical
documentation
A method to investigate the
landscape perspective of the
via Francigena