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The ancient route was actually a bundle of historical paths that led from Canterbury to Rome, and then continued to Jerusalem: an itinerary traveled through the centuries by believers, pilgrims, but also by crusaders and merchants. A real crossroads of cultures.
The stretch that leads from Rome to the ports of Puglia is called Via Francigena of the south. Starting from Benevento the most used road ran along the route of the Roman Via Appio-Traiana and thus entered Puglia right in the territory of Faeto, lapping the village of San Leonardo. The route does not penetrate the village of Faeto, but runs along the southern slopes of Mount San Vito, where there are the ancient Taverna of San Vito and the rock church dedicated to the same Saint. From here starts the branch that leads to Orsara di Puglia, the xenodochia of the Abbey and the Cave of San Michele; while continuing along the main route, you reach Mount Buccolo, where there is a detour that leads to Celle di San Vito and from where the descent to the valley starts.
Then it cuts lengthwise the city of Troia, following also here the Roman Traiana, part of whose basolato is kept inside the Civic Museum. It is still today the main street along the Churches of San Francesco, San Basilio Magno, San Giovanni Battista, dell'Addolorata, San Domenico and the Co-cathedral of the Assumption.
From the city of the 4 Concilii pilgrims can continue their journey to the Gargano, following the route of San Michele, after having crossed and known the beautiful city of art of Lucera, or turn south towards the main ports of Apulia, always aimed at navigation in the Mediterranean, towards the East and towards the Holy Land (Barletta, Molfetta, Trani, Bari, Brindisi, Otranto and Leuca). Those who choose the Micaelic route from Lucera will reach the baroque San Severo, before going into the typical landscapes of the Gargano and getting to know the surroundings of San Marco in Lamis, San Giovanni Rotondo and finally Monte Sant'Angelo.
Travelling along the stretch of Francigena that crosses the Monti Dauni places the traveler in the condition to understand the very special and authentic sense of hospitality of this land, concerned over the centuries by the passage of different peoples and cultures.
