The southern Via Francigena

Walking to Vernole

18km

After the last farewell to the statue of Saint Oronzo and the mighty Roman column that once marked the end of the Via Appia, you will start your journey towards the Cape of Leuca.
After a while you will find yourself in the intense scents and colours of the Mediterranean maquis. Then you arrive at the village of Acaya, one of the few fortified towns of the Renaissance period still intact throughout the South. Just outside the citadel walls stands the chapel of San Paolo, which dates back to the mid-18th century and is the oldest pilgrimage site, along with Galatina, for victims of the "tarantula bite".
Spotting primitive typical dry-stone construction in the countryside, the pajara, you will reach the little village of Vernole, where you stay overnight.

Walking to Otranto

26km

Among small pine forests, old olive groves and stone walls, you will pass through the village of Cannole.
Following the tracks of the Apulian Via Francigena, you will meet two important landmarks of the medieval pilgrim: the farms, now inhabitated, of Anfiano and Torcito.
You will climb the hill that houses the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montevergine, still a place of pilgrimage: the modern temple hides inside a Byzantine crypt frescoed with a beautiful Madonna.
The walk then goes towards the Megalithic Garden of Italy: this beautiful itinerary brings you back in time, along a path through menhirs and dolmens, rich in history and mysteries. Probably used as tombs and rituals: magical places such as the “Boulder of the Old Lady”, linked to Hercules and the witch who once lived there, the dolmen Stabile and the menhir San Paolo with a fresco linking the saint to the tarantism phenomenon.
The last steps will lead to Otranto where, looking at the harbour, you can imagine the ancient galleys departing eastward: you can spend time in its beautiful bay.
Overnight in Otranto.

Walking to Tricase

15km

Today's itinerary of the Via Francigena in Puglia takes place partly in the Natural Park Otranto - Leuca.
Past the Chapel of the Madonna of Costantipoli, continue and enter the center of Marittima, with its baronial palace that looks like a castle, adjacent to the majestic Baldassarre Tower. From the heights you will enjoy magnificent breathtaking views protected by the legendary Saracen towers. There will be many opportunities to reach the sea by carefully choosing your path (tratturo) downhill.
Then you come across a wood of eucalyptus, pine and vallone oaks, typical of this area before to reach Tricase, important village in the history of Salento. The splendid Piazza Pisanelli will welcome you, characterized by the presence of the Castle of the Gallone Princes.
Overnight in Tricase.

Santa Maria di Leuca

After breakfast end of services.
Before leaving Leuca, take time for a boat trip to discover the splendid sea caves!
 

Tour programme variations
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.
Along the way you may find temporary deviations (for example road works) which cannot be foreseen; in this case each walker can decide autonomously how to deal with these stretches.