Via Francigena

What Via Francigena does

Via Francigena is managed by the Associazione Europea delle Vie Francigene (AEVF), a non-profit association founded in 2001 and headquartered in Fidenza, Italy, with operational offices in Piacenza (Italy) and Besançon (France). AEVF exists to promote, maintain, and coordinate the 3,000 km Via Francigena pilgrimage route running from Canterbury to Rome through England, France, Switzerland, and Italy, crossing 16 Italian regions and more than 600 municipalities. The route is officially recognized as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe and is supported institutionally by UNESCO, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the UNWTO, and the Italian and French ministries of Culture and Tourism.

AEVF's core products and technology surface include an official interactive route map (OpenStreetMap-based), a free iOS/Android mobile app for route navigation and alerts, an online Pellegrino Planner journey-planning tool, and the Credenziale del Pellegrino — a physical pilgrim passport priced at a recommended €8 that unlocks discounts at partner hostels and with transport operators. The Testimonium certification, issued at the Vatican (religious) or at designated distribution points including Trenitalia, Trenord, and FlixBus (secular), formalizes completion of the route. The association also publishes multi-language official guidebooks through Cicerone Press and Terre di Mezzo Editore, and operates the slowshop.eu e-commerce storefront.

AEVF's go-to-market combines community-led engagement (Camminate gratuite free walks, newsletter, blog, social channels, blogger tours) with event-driven touchpoints (the General Assembly, partnership presentations, the Coop Outdoor program) and channel partnerships with tour operators Sloways and Follow the Camino, transport operators Trenitalia/Trenord/FlixBus, and corporate partners including Coop and Banca Generali. Revenue is generated primarily from credential sales, merchandise, partnership kits, and EU-funded project participation (SMARTWAYS, DETOUR, HIKE4ALL); no revenue figures are disclosed.

Name

Via Francigena

Legal name

Associazione Europea delle Vie Francigene

Website

https://viefrancigene.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Via Francigena (AEVF) is an Italian non-profit that manages and promotes the 3,000 km Canterbury-to-Rome pilgrimage route across five countries, serving individual pilgrims and slow-tourism walkers via an official mobile app, credential system, route maps, and a network of 600+ municipalities and institutional partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pilgrimage Tourism Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Historical Sites (712120)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Culture, Heritage & Arts Itinerary Planning (THAKAOAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Festival & Event Travel (e.g., Kumbh Mela, World Youth Day) Agencies (THAKAHAN), Adventure & Expedition Travel Agencies (THAKAFAB)

Keywords

• Pilgrimage route management
• Walking tourism services
• Cultural route promotion
• Pilgrim credential system
• Slow tourism association

Headquarters

HQ city

Fidenza

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Credential Sales: Sale of the Credenziale del Pellegrino (Pilgrim Credential), the official passport document that pilgrims collect stamps on along the route. Recommended price of 8 EUR per credential, with proceeds supporting AEVF activities, infrastructure updates, and service maintenance.
2. Partnership Services: AEVF offers partnership kits providing services and expertise to public and private entities, institutions, territories, and brands interested in investing in outdoor and slow tourism. The partnership kit includes team expertise and consulting services.
3. Official Merchandise Store: The official store (slowshop.eu) sells guides, credentials, and official Via Francigena materials including guides published by Cicerone Press and Terre di Mezzo Editore.
4. Testimonium Certification: The laic Testimonium is provided free of charge upon completion of recognized route sections. The religious Testimonium certifies pilgrimage completion in Rome for religious purposes, serving a similar function to the Camino de Santiago's Compostela.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Via Francigena, managed by the Associazione Europea delle Vie Francigene (AEVF), is a 3,000 km pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome running through England, France, Switzerland and Italy. The association sells the official Credenziale del Pellegrino (Pilgrim Credential), issues the Testimonium completion certification, operates an official mobile app with interactive route maps and alerts, publishes multi-language guidebooks, and provides partnership consulting services to public and private entities investing in slow and outdoor tourism.

Product overview

Via Francigena offers a suite of digital and physical products centered on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route spanning 3,000 km from Canterbury to Rome. The core offering includes the official mobile app (iOS/Android) with interactive maps and alerts, the Pilgrim's Credential passport document for journey authentication, and the Testimonium certification upon completion. Supporting products include official guidebooks, an online route planner, and a network of partner services offering pilgrim discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Via Francigena Mobile App Official mobile application for iOS and Android (progressive web app) that allows pilgrims and walkers to navigate the Via Francigena route with interactive maps, alerts for closures and diversions, and journey planning features. Available free to individuals traveling on foot or by bicycle.
• Credenziale del Pellegrino (Pilgrim's Credential) Official physical passport-style document sold to pilgrims walking or cycling the Via Francigena, used to collect stamps along the route, testify the journey, and unlock partner discounts on accommodation and transport.
• Official Via Francigena Guidebooks

Quantifiable outcome

• The credential supports over 110 hostels in France and Switzerland alone for budget travelers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SMARTWAYScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026European project partnership for digital valorization of cultural heritage along the Via Francigena and Romea Strata. AEVF participates in this initiative alongside other European partners.
• Council of EuropeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership with the Council of Europe, a major European intergovernmental organization. The Via Francigena is recognized as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.
• UNESCOflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) supporting the preservation and promotion of the Via Francigena as a cultural heritage route.
• European CommissionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership with the European Commission supporting funding, promotion, and development of the Via Francigena as a European cultural itinerary.
• European ParliamentflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership with the European Parliament for the promotion and development of European cultural routes including the Via Francigena.
• European Travel CommissioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with ETC for the promotion of European destinations including the Via Francigena in international tourism marketing.
• World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with UNWTO for international tourism promotion of the Via Francigena as a sustainable tourism destination.
• Italian Ministry of TourismflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Italian Ministry of Tourism (Ministero del Turismo) supporting national promotion and development of the Via Francigena in Italy.
• Italian Ministry of CultureflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Italian Ministry of Culture (Ministero della Cultura) supporting cultural preservation and promotion of the Via Francigena heritage.
• French Ministry of CultureflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the French Ministry of Culture supporting the French sections of the Via Francigena route and cultural heritage preservation.
• TrenitaliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransport partner providing train services along the Via Francigena route with up to 10% discount for credential holders. Serves as a distribution point for Testimonium certifications.
• TrenordcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional train operator partner in northern Italy with discount benefits for credential holders and serving as Testimonium distribution point.
• FlixBuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBus transport partner providing connectivity to Via Francigena route points with up to 10% discount for credential holders. Also serves as Testimonium distribution point.
• CoopcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for 'Coop Outdoor - I Love Francigena' program offering free guided excursions along the Via Francigena. 2026 edition includes 25 free walks organized in collaboration with AEVF.
• Banca GeneralicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partner supporting sustainable development and local communities along the Via Francigena. Partnership focuses on creating long-term value and responsible tourism development.
• SlowayscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTour operator partner offering organized walking packages along Via Francigena sections: Ivrea-Pavia (126km/8 days), Fidenza-Pontremoli (111km/7 days), Viterbo-Roma (110km/7 days), Siena-Viterbo (170km/11 days).
• Follow the CaminocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTour operator partner specializing in pilgrimage travel services along the Via Francigena and other European pilgrimage routes.
• FerrinominorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor equipment brand partnership providing promotional and marketing support for the Via Francigena.
• GarmontminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFootwear brand partnership supporting the outdoor and pilgrimage community along the Via Francigena.
• AllTrailsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital hiking platform partnership for route visibility and accessibility to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
• FIAB (Federazione Italiana Ambiente e Bicicletta)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian cycling federation partnership supporting cyclist accessibility and promotion of cycling tourism along the Via Francigena.
• CAI (Club Alpino Italiano)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian Alpine Club partnership supporting hiking infrastructure and trail maintenance along the Via Francigena.
• Cicerone PresscoreOthersPublisher of official English-language Via Francigena guidebooks. Volume 1 covers Canterbury to Lausanne through England, France, and Switzerland in 52 detailed stages.
• Terre di Mezzo EditorecoreOthersItalian publisher producing official Via Francigena guides including the guide from Gran San Bernardo to Rome covering 45 Italian stages with maps, technical info, and practical advice.
• Rivista Via FrancigenaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner publishing the magazine 'Via Francigena and the European Cultural Routes' featuring articles, guides, and news about the route.
• DETOUR ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project supporting SMEs along the Via Francigena section from Pavia to Rome through mini-grants for collaborative projects, free multilingual training on sustainability, digital innovation, and accessibility.
• HIKE4ALLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean inclusion project bringing together 6 European pilgrimage routes working on accessibility and inclusion. AEVF participates in this initiative hosted at Ivrea.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Komoot: European-focused route planning app for hiking and cycling, with strong coverage of European long-distance paths. Comparable as a digital pilgrimage and hiking planning tool that competes for pilgrim attention in the journey-planning stage.
• AllTrails: Global digital hiking platform with route discovery, navigation, and user-generated content. Already a Via Francigena marketing partner; comparable as a digital route discovery and planning tool that pilgrims may use alongside AEVF's official app and map.

Others

• Cicerone Press: Independent publisher of walking and trekking guidebooks including the official English-language Via Francigena guides. Comparable as a content and publishing ecosystem player that monetizes pilgrimage travelers via printed and digital guides.
• Coop Outdoor: Coop Italia's outdoor excursion program, in partnership with AEVF ('Coop Outdoor - I Love Francigena'). Comparable as a large retail/corporate partner that runs mass-participation walking events and could be viewed as a downstream monetization partner for route traffic.

Direct peers

• Confraternity of Saint James: UK-based charity that promotes the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and supports pilgrims on related routes including the Via Francigena. Comparable as a non-profit pilgrim support and advocacy organization operating across borders with member/donor models.
• Follow the Camino: Tour operator offering organized pilgrimage packages on multiple European routes including Via Francigena. Comparable as a channel partner serving the same pilgrims with packaged travel services along Via Francigena sections.
• Sloways: Tour operator offering organized multi-day walking packages along specific Via Francigena sections (Ivrea-Pavia, Fidenza-Pontremoli, Viterbo-Roma, Siena-Viterbo). Direct channel partner and a comparable operator in the slow-tourism walking package category.
• Kumano Kodo: UNESCO-listed Japanese pilgrimage route network connecting sacred sites in the Kii Peninsula. Comparable as a transnational spiritual walking route with credential/seal systems, multilingual promotion, and integration with regional tourism authorities.
• Way of St. James / Jacobean Routes Federation: Broader federation of European pilgrimage routes (Camino, Via Francigena, Via Romea, etc.) coordinating under Council of Europe Cultural Routes. Comparable as the institutional peer organization governing and promoting long-distance pilgrimage itineraries across Europe.
• Camino de Santiago: The most famous European Christian pilgrimage route, ending in Santiago de Compostela. Directly comparable as a long-distance pilgrimage/tourism route with credential systems, established tour operator ecosystems, and global recognition; AEVF's primary competitor for international pilgrim traffic.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/viafrancigenaeu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Via Francigena