Abbots Way is the modern name ascribed to an ancient medieval thoroughfare, recently rediscovered, that links Pavia to Pontremoli for a total of 195 kilometers. The entire route, pinpointed through the reading of texts and visits to the area, is marked by medieval discoveries in some ancient structures, including towers, castles, fountains, chapels, and roads paved in stone. The route is the remains of the path used by the monks to travel between Pavia and Pontremoli using places such as Bobbio, Boccolo dei Tassi, Gravago and Borgotaro to rest and/or change horses.
The historical route of the Abbots Way winds through specific points where monks' cells, hospices and properties of the monks of Saint Columban are located. The places crossed by this path are those cited in The Diplomatic Codex of the Bobbio Monastery, namely Boccolo dei Tassi, Borgotaro, Borgallo and Pontremoli.
The Bobbio monastery was founded by Saint Columban in 613 AD and represented from the VII to the XI century a centre of culture and civilization for all of Northern Italy. The historical route served monks, pilgrims, merchants and travelers of all kind to the monastery from Pavia, capital city of Longobard kingdom (north) and from Vatican city, of course (South). Until XIth Century the route has been the one and only safe way from continental Europe to Rome and Vatican City. After XIth Century, the Longobards conquered the area of central Italy, Abbots progressively lost their political power and the new way to Rome became the famous Francicegna Way (longer but easier and convenient for a lower vertical gain).
For a path of 125Km only (Bobbio-Pontremoli) a trail run race is organized every year.
For additinoal info please check Abbots Way Association web site (www.viadegliabati.com)
