In the picturesque Blenio Valley, an exciting excursion from Olivone to the Lottigna Museum highlighted the creation of the new signs that will accompany wayfarers and pilgrims along the renowned Via Francisca del Lucomagno. The project to bring this ancient route to light, carried out in collaboration between the Association of Friends of the Via Francisca del Lucomagno (AVFL) and the Regional Development Agency of Bellinzonese and Valli (OTR Bellinzona and Valleys), represents a fundamental piece in the commitment aimed at promoting and growing the splendid Blenio Valley.

The Via Francisca del Lucomagno is an ancient historical route which, between the 1200th and XNUMXth centuries until the early XNUMXs, connected Central Europe to the large cities of the Po Valley. This route was known for being one of the easiest to cross the majestic Alps. Over the centuries, the Via Francisca has been traveled by illustrious figures such as Emperors, Bishops, merchants, wayfarers and pilgrims. Its existence is documented in ancient notarial registers and in the Inventory of Swiss Historic Routes (IVS). The credit for the rediscovery of the Via Francisca del Lucomagno goes to the tireless commitment of Adelaide Trezzini, who in the past successfully promoted the recovery of the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome.

Today, the renewed route starts from Constance and crosses various Swiss cantons, before entering Ticino from Lukmanier and reaching Ponte Tresa, where it connects with the famous Via Francigena which leads to Rome. The revisitation of the route, marked as a thematic path with white trail markers featuring the Via logo, was designed with the aim of balancing respect for the historical traces with the quality of the hiking experience. This means favoring walking routes rather than asphalted roads, ensuring the safety of walkers and highlighting the peculiarities of the area. For example, in the Blenio Valley, between Olivone and Acquarossa, a variant was chosen along the left bank of the Brenno river, which allows us to enhance places such as Solario and Sallo, the suggestive Tibetan bridge towards Ponto Aquilesco, the historical testimonies of the Blenio such as Cima Norma and the Patto di Torre, the presence of Maestro Martino de Rubeis and, last but not least, the Museum of the Blenio Valley in Lottigna, housed in the majestic Palazzo dei Landfogti. In Dongio, the route crosses the right bank to visit the Oratory of San Remigio and continues towards Biasca.

The OTR Bellinzona e Valli enthusiastically supported this project as the Via Francisca del Lucomagno acts as a "backbone" that connects and promotes various historical and thematic itineraries in the Lucomagno Pass region and in the surroundings of Acquarossa. Furthermore, opportunities have been created specifically for families with children and curious adventurers, such as the Path of the Wandering Salamander between Ludiano and Semione.

The extraordinary excursion on 22 October ended at the Lottigna Museum, where the participants were able to enjoy a snack with local products, including a slice of cake prepared according to the recipe of the famous Maestro Martino de Rubeis, soda and pear juice , all produced in the splendid Blenio Valley.

During a short official ceremony, the president of the AVFL, Matteo Oleggini, presented the Via Francisca and the valorization project, while Juri Clericetti, director of the OTR Bellinzona e Valli, and Claudia Boschetti Straub, mayor of Blenio, underlined the The importance of this project for the Blenio Valley and its coherence with the tourism strategy of the entire region. In particular, Matteo Oleggini expressed his gratitude towards Adelaide Trezzini and Alfonso Passera, first president of the AVFL, for the passion and commitment they dedicated to the Via Francisca del Lucomagno. The project was made possible thanks to funding from the Gotthard Programme, from the Municipalities (through their respective Regional Development Bodies) and from the tourist organizations active along the route, from Upper Lukmanier to Ponte Tresa.

Finally, heartfelt thanks were addressed to the Blenio Bellissima, Blenio Viva Associations and the Historical and Ethnographic Museum of the Blenio Valley for their precious contribution in organizing Sunday.