Montelungo – Via Francigena, Pass and History

Montelungo is a Tuscan destination for travellers who want to discover history not only in museums, but along an ancient pilgrimage route. The village is considered the site of the historic Sce Benedicte hospice on the Via Francigena. Together with the Palazzo, the Passo della Cisa and the surviving ecclesiastical institutions, this creates a clear picture of Montelungo as a stop along a historically significant route through Tuscany.

Historical Traces Along the Via Francigena

The Palazzo in Montelungo is an old historic building that local tradition connects with the route of the Via Francigena. A Xenodochium administered by the Benedictine order has also been documented in Montelungo since the early Middle Ages. It was an institution that provided pilgrims and travellers with accommodation and support. The medieval Xenodochium thus points to the former importance of the village for people travelling over the Passo della Cisa. The Prioria di San Benedetto also preserves a specific testimony to this religious history: its historic organ was built by Francesco Bossi in 1858. Those interested in sacred culture, ancient travel routes and the connection between local history and ecclesiastical heritage will find several different points of interest in Montelungo, rather than just a single historic building.

Pass Location and Hiking Stage

The Passo della Cisa is a historic pass at an altitude of 1,041 metres and is located 5 kilometres from Montelungo. A small church dedicated to the Madonna della Guardia accompanies the pass; today, it is designated as the “Porta della Via Francigena in Toscana”. This designation explicitly places the pass in the context of the Tuscan section of the Via Francigena. For hikers, the stage from the Passo della Cisa to Pontremoli offers clearly defined guidance: it is 19.57 kilometres long and has an indicated walking time of approximately five hours. The route is therefore an independent travel element alongside the historic sights in Montelungo. The Valle del Magriola descends from the Passo della Cisa to the Pontremoli district of Mignegno, passing through Montelungo and Succisa along the way.

Festivals and Local Particularities

Local life is also reflected in religious festivals. In Montelungo, a festival in honour of Saint Benedict is documented for the month of March. The Festa della Madonna della Cintura is also celebrated on the third Sunday in August. The programme includes an afternoon mass and a procession through the parish streets. Another distinctive feature is the oligomineral water for which Montelungo is known. It springs from the so-called Fonte della virtù. This adds a local natural and traditional element to the historical themes surrounding the Via Francigena, the Benedictine order and the crossing of the pass.

To the main travel overview: Pontremoli.