Via Romea Francigena

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The Via Romea Francigena' or Via Francigena is an ancient road between Canterbury and Rome and beyond, which passes through England, France, Switzerland and Italy. It was an important medieval road and pilgrimage route connecting north-western Europe with Rome. In modern times, Via Francigena is one of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (see https://www.viefrancigene.org/).

The mapping of the hiking version, Via Francigena Via Francigena, is part of the European long-distance paths program. The EV5, that is the bicycle version of the pilgrimage, is mapped as an other relation.

Mapping conventions

Tags

Signpost

Another signpost

For the hiking route, each country has a relation that matches the following example:

Tag	Note
`type=route`
`route=hiking`	walking route
`ref=VF`	"Via Francigena"
`name=Via Francigena - French part`
`network=(iwn)(nwn)(rwn)(lwn)`	set the network hierarchy based on the mapped route, for example nwn for national routes (Italy, France, etc.), lwn for routes varying to the main route. For information see Walking routes (also hiking and pilgrimage)
`osmc:symbol=``red:red:white_stripe:VF:black`
`symbol=``black pilgrim on white red flag`	description of the signpost
`website=https://www.viefrancigene.org/`	the reference website
`from=`*	Place of departure
`to=`*	Destination
`wikipedia=Via Francigena`	Reference item on wikipedia
`wikidata=Q542830`	Reference item on wikidata

Signpost for cycling itinerary

For the cycle route (see AEVF reference path) each country could have a relationship according to the following example:

Tag	Note
`type=route`
`route=bicycle`
`ref=VFB`	Via Francigena Bike
`name=Via Francigena`
`network=ncn`
`osmc:symbol=``white:white:blue_lower:VFB:black`
`symbol=``black pilgrim on white blue flag`	Description of the signpost
`website=https://www.viefrancigene.org/bicicletta/`	The reference website
`from=`*	Place of departure
`to=`*	Destination
`wikipedia=fr:Via Francigena`	Reference item on wikipedia
`wikidata=Q542830`	Reference item on wikidata

EV5 signpost for cycling itinerary

For the cycle route (see EV5 reference path) each country could have a relationship according to the following example:

Tag	Note
`type=route`
`route=bicycle`
`ref=EV5`	Euro Velo 5
`name=Via Romea Francigena - French part`
`network=ncn`
`website=https://en.eurovelo.com/ev5`	The reference website
`from=`*	Place of departure
`to=`*	Destination
`wikipedia=`*	Reference item on wikipedia
`wikidata=Q3060535`	Reference item on wikidata

Members

Type	Role	Discussion
	(blank) or 'forward' or 'backward' ^[1]	the ways making up the route.
	place_of_worship	Main churches along the way or at stages where are services for pilgrims.
	information	Information resource for pilgrims see `information=*`

Other

Don't forget mapping the amenities (shelter, fountain, drinking water, bench, toilets, pharmacy... amenity=*), shops (shop=*) and other touristic features (hostel, camp, picnic_site, viewpoint... tourism=*) along the way that could have interest for the pilgrims, but WITHOUT including them into the relation.

Via Francigena in different countries (hiking itinerary)

Country	from to	Status	Relation	Notes
England	Canterbury - Dover	100 %	282117 282117 Canterbury - Dover
France	Calais - Swiss border	90 %	371544 371544 (Superroute) National relation containing the sections 90 % 4126295 4126295 Calais - Arras 60 % 8312991 8312991 Arras - Reims 100 % 2918033 2918033 Reims - Besançon 100 % 4126294 4126294 Besançon - Swiss border	There are major discrepancies between the routes from https://www.viefrancigene.org/ and these relations. An update is probably required (as of dec 2020).
Switzerland	French border - Italy border	100 %	124582 124582 French border - Italy border
Italy	Gran San Bernardo - Santa Maria di Leuca	100 %	955907 955907 (Superroute) National relation containing the regional reletions 100 % 2458709 2458709 Aosta Valley 100 % 1471008 1471008 Piemont 100 % 2452848 2452848 Lombardy 100 % 1471005 1471005 Emilia Romania 100 % 334891 334891 Liguria and Tuscany 100 % 6201614 6201614 Lazio 100 % 2404550 2404550 Lazio, Via Francigena South 100 % 2405262 2405262 Campania, Via Francigena South 100 % 2341136 2341136 Apulia, Via Francigena South