VIA ROMEA GERMANICA

Through Europe runs an ancient route from Scandinavia via Stade to Rome, the VIA ROMEA GERMANICA. In Germany, the route passes through twelve varied regions. It starts with ebb and flow in Stade, crosses the Stader Geest, passes through the heathlands up to Celle, then through Eastphalia and over the Harz, through Thuringia with its Thuringian Forest, along the Rhön, through the Franconian wine region, and along the Main near Schweinfurt and Würzburg, through romantic Franconia with Rothenburg o.d.T. and Dinkelsbühl, through Donau-Ries with its important Danube crossing at Donauwörth, through the Swabian Lechfeld, through Upper Bavaria with its Pfaffenwinkel, and finally through the Werdenfelser Land past the Zugspitze and the Karwendel mountains.

Pilgrims travel along the “Way of Encounters”. The motto of the VIA ROMEA comes alive in the different traditional regions, each with its own cuisine, dialect, and history. It is a special journey through Germany. Regions shaped by Catholic and Protestant traditions, regions with historic pilgrimage destinations. The VIA ROMEA GERMANICA is a path connecting religions and denominations, wishing to remain open to all who are in need of the way.

From Hornburg in Lower Saxony, the route leads across the former inner-German border to Osterwieck in Saxony-Anhalt. Along the rise of the “Kleiner Fallstein”, there are many wonderful views of the Harz mountains and their foothills. Following field paths through small villages such as Wasserleben and Veckenstedt, the tour continues through the northern Harz foreland. From Charlottenlust, pilgrims can enjoy a magnificent view of Wernigerode and the Harz peaks. Passing through the half-timbered town with its famous town hall, the route leads through the Mühlental, up through the Harz forests to the high plateau near Elbingerode.

After passing through Elbingerode, the route goes past the limestone open-cast mine into forested areas. Following the Königshütte diversion dam, below the Königsburg, it continues towards the Rappbode Dam and Hasselfelde. Stiege, with its relocated and newly built stave church, is the last village before a long stretch through wooded countryside to Neustadt. Afterwards, the route enters the open landscape of the Southern Harz, continuing through the Thuringian Basin towards Rome.