Via Romea - Deutschland - Bayern

The place

Catholic pilgrimage

Why go

Augsburg (Fuggerei, the world's oldest social housing complex). Innsbruck and its Hofburg. The Brenner Pass with its medieval hospice of the same name. Sterzing/Vipiteno (South Tyrol). Trento and its castle. Verona and its Roman amphitheater.

A bit of history

The Via Romea Germanica (also known as Romweg or Romstraße) was one of the most important pilgrimage routes for German-speaking pilgrims to Rome in the Middle Ages. The Brenner Pass had been the most sought-after Alpine crossing for travelers between Central Europe and Italy since Roman times (Claudius, 46 AD).

Getting there

Munich: main railway station. Verona: railway station (1h15 from Milan, 1h from Venice). Well served by rail along the Brenner axis.

Recommended gear

Hiking boots. Passport (Austria + Italy). Pilgrim credential for hostels.

Best season

April to October. Alpine crossing at the Brenner possible from May. Autumn is especially beautiful in South Tyrol (grape harvest).