Pont-Saint-Martin - Ivrea

Pont-Saint-Martin

After starting today's hike in the western part of Bourg-Saint-Pierre, we will cross the rocky canyon of the river «Lys» over the roman bridge we already talked about. This bridge was used for all through traffic until 1831. Our hike towards Ivrea remains on the eastside of the Dora Bàltea river and passes through a series of smaller villages away from major traffic flows.

bei Quincinetto

Ivrea is a town founded by the romans around 100 b.Chr. The historic city center spreads over both sides of the Dora Bàltea river. Ivrea used to be a key pilgrim stage during the Middle Ages already operating some 10 hospices for pilgrims at the time. The well maintained «Castello delle Torri Rosse» (1358), the cathdredal «Santa Maria Assunta» (construction started around 970) and the bridge «Ponte Vecchio» built by the romans during the 5th century are key highlights worth to be explored.

Note(s)

The «Via Francigena» is one of the 3 main christian pilgrimage trails of the Middle Ages, the main axis leading from Canterbury to Rome. This documentation currently covers the most frequented section from Lausanne to Rome.