Via Francigena del Sud accessibility project

The Italian Ministry of Tourism is funding a project titled ‘Per una Via Francigena del Sud accessibile a tutti’ to transform the Via Francigena del Sud in Salento into a model for inclusive tourism. The initiative covers a 120-kilometer stretch between Lecce and Santa Maria di Leuca, spanning five stages and seven municipalities.

Led by the Municipality of Poggiardo in collaboration with the European Association of Via Francigena (AEVF) and the Associazione Mollare Mai, the project aims to accommodate motor, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, as well as the needs of elderly travelers and those with specific dietary requirements.

Planned improvements include georeferencing routes, mapping critical areas, and performing maintenance. Technological enhancements such as augmented and virtual reality will be used to improve access to cultural and landscape heritage. Physical infrastructure upgrades include the installation of solar-powered smart benches, tactile QR codes, and rest areas equipped with first aid kits. This initiative supports the broader national strategy to have the Italian Via Francigena recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.