The Via Romea Germanica is one of Europe’s great historical routes: an ancient itinerary that for centuries has linked the Germanic world with the capital of Christianity. From the mountains of the Brenner Pass, the gateway into Italy, the route descends across the Alpine arc, crosses Trentino, the Valsugana and the Venetian plain, following rivers and former navigable canals through Bassano del Grappa, Padua, Rovigo and the Po River, before continuing through Emilia, Tuscany, Umbria and finally Lazio, reaching Rome.
The modern trail retraces the ancient route described in the 13th century by Abbot Albert of Stade: a journey that originally began in Lower Saxony, crossed Austria, and descended into Italy along the Apennine ridge. Today, as in the past, it offers a path of discovery, spirituality and ever‑changing landscapes.
At the end of the pilgrimage, walkers who complete the route can receive the Testimonium, the official document certifying their arrival in Rome. To obtain it, they must present their Pilgrim Credential, stamped at each stage in churches and spiritual sites along the way.
Route overview
- Start: Brenner Pass
- Finish: Rome
- Stages: 46
- Length: approx. 1,022 km
- Best season: April to October, when Alpine passes are free of snow
The route crosses six Italian regions: Trentino–South Tyrol, Veneto, Emilia‑Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio.
Main Italian stages of the Via Romea Germanica
A long sequence of stages connects historic villages, art cities and natural landscapes of great charm. Among the most significant:
Brenner – Vipiteno / Vipiteno – Bressanone / Bressanone – Chiusa / Chiusa – Collalbo / Collalbo – Bolzano / Bolzano – Termeno / Termeno – Salorno / Salorno – Trento / Trento – Levico Terme / Levico Terme – Borgo Valsugana / Borgo Valsugana – Cismon del Grappa / Cismon del Grappa – Bassano del Grappa / Bassano – Piazzola sul Brenta / Piazzola – Padua / Padua – Monselice – Rovigo – Polesella / Polesella – Ferrara – Argenta – Valli di Comacchio – Ravenna / Ravenna – Forlì – Santa Sofia – Bagno di Romagna – La Verna / La Verna – Arezzo – Cortona – Lake Trasimeno – Città della Pieve – Orvieto / Orvieto – Montefiascone – Viterbo – Sutri – Campagnano – Rome
A mosaic of diverse environments: from Alpine forests to the vineyards of Trentino, from the Venetian countryside to the Apennine landscapes, and finally the gentle hills of Lazio, heralding the entrance into the Eternal City.
