The Via Sacra Langobardorum (Sacred Road of the Lombards) is an ancient route of medieval origins that once connected Mont Saint Michel in France to the Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo (Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel) of Monte Sant'Angelo, in the province of Foggia. Together with six other sites in Italy, this site has was nominated for the Heritage of Humanity to be included in the UNESCO Italia Langobardorum Itinerary – Centres of power and worship (568-774 d.C.), which also includes some of the most significant Lombard relics to be found throughout the Italian peninsula. Its name derives from the historic treks of the Lombards, a population particularly devoted to St. Michael, across Italian territory, making the Via Sacra Langobardorum one of the most common routes followed by pilgrims, together with the ones leading to the Sanctuary of Santiago di Compostela, to the Tombs of the Apostles in Rome, and to the Holy Sepulchre in the Holy Land. Votive chapels and way stations for pilgrims line the route. Some of these sites have become illustrious abbeys, like those of San Giovanni in Lamis, today a convent of San Matteo (St. Matthew), and San Leonardo di Siponto (St. Leonard); other have since become actual cities, like San Marco in Lamis, San Giovanni Rotondo, and Monte Sant'Angelo.
Sources: Portal Editorial Office Updated on: 27/06/2011
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.