Tuesday, August 26th
Our route today took us 12.6 flat miles through more and more rice fields. I never thought I would complain about flat terrain or say I missed climbing mountains, but I’m definitely ready for a change of scenery. We left Vercelli this morning via train, arriving in Mortara (the beginning of our walk) @ 9:30. Most of the day was spent walking gravel or sandy dirt paths with little to no shade on what turned out to be a very warm day. We were all hot and tired when we finally arrived in Garlasco.
At one point during the day, after passing one too many rice fields, Jerry asked whose idea it was to walk this pilgrimage route. I responded that he was the person who initially sent me a text about it. He didn’t believe me so I found his original text (sent when he and Becky were walking the Camino Del Norte May 2024) which read:
”Becky thinks she wants to do part of the Canterbury to Rome Camino. Maybe just out of the Alps to Rome. I don’t think I’m interested but who knows.”
I guess technically it was Becky who suggested it (to be fair I had also been looking at this route as another pilgrimage possibility), but it was Jerry who got the ball rolling. As I told Jerry, he was the instigator!
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| Typical view of the landscape and walking paths we encountered today |
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| This gentleman passed us on his bike (painted the colors of the Italian flag) as we were entering one of the small towns today and motioned us to follow him to the town center. Once there, he opened the door of a small office where he stamped our pilgrims' passports and gave us each a Via Francigena pin. |
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| Some of the garden art we've seen along the way |
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| Working locks on one of the canals we passed |
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| Chiesa di San Georgio (with a huge statue atop the front door of St. George slaying the dragon |
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| We've seen this Jubilee 2025 banner at a number of churches along our way. The saying translates as "Pilgrims of Hope" |
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| Interior view of the church of St. George |
Wednesday, August 27th
Today was much like the last few days, only longer: 15 miles, with minimal elevation. The weather forecast was threatening thunderstorms @ 2:00, but it never did materialize. We had a slight drizzle walking into Pavia this afternoon, but it felt refreshing. The last few miles into town were on a lovely forest path and the view of the three bridges over the Ticino River into Pavia felt like we were entering a medieval town.
Pavia is a bustling university city with a number of sights to see: the Basilica di San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro where the remains of St. Augustine are interred, the Castillo Visconteo di Pavia, and numerous other historical churches. Too many sights to see in the few hours we have left today so we’ve decided to take an additional rest day tomorrow and then train to our next destination in the afternoon.
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| View of the Ticino River which runs through Pavia |
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| Interior view of Pavia's 15th century cathedral |
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| Another of of the interior of the cathedral |
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