“Beyond the Valley”: The Monks’ Path – An Inspiring Model
On April 9th, within the framework of the RELiHE the first thematic meeting of the semester brought together stakeholders from across Europe to discuss how cultural routes and slow mobility can become innovative tools for revitalizing our rural religious heritage. Among the standout contributions was Italy’s good practice “Beyond the Valley: The Monks’ Path” (Il Cammino dei Monaci), presented by Gloria Mari, President of Centro Nocetum.
This 65-kilometre hiking and cycling route links the historic center of Milan and the Via Francigena at Corte Sant’Andrea across both agricultural and urban landscapes. It passes through 41 City Council areas and winds along ancient waterways, such as the Vettabbia and the Lambro, combining intangible heritage preservation, environmental sustainability and social cohesion.
An Itinerary Born out of an Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The Cammino dei Monaci route is the result of a research and planning initiative coordinated by the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU) at the Politecnico di Milano under the leadership of Prof. Flavio Boscacci. Developed within the MATER Cult project (Milano Agricoltura, Territorio, Cultura), it was promoted by Centro Nocetum, the social cooperative La Strada, the SIR Consortium, and the Associazione Cascine Milano with support from Cariplo Foundation, the Archdiocese of Milan, the Milan City Council, the Lombardy Regional Council, and the South Milan Agricultural Park.
In 2024, as part of the Walking Progress Project funded by the Lombardy Regional Council, the route was tested for accessibility, including a greener and more inclusive segment connecting the Rogoredo Train Station to Chiaravalle Abbey and Centro Nocetum.
Green Infrastructure and Heritage
About 41.5 % of the route runs on protected cycling lanes and footpaths, and a further reduction of motor traffic exposurre is currently under study to extend the existing safe transit segments. The route is integrated into the Cammini di Lombardia Guide and app (developed by the Italian Touring Club) and represents a unique combination of history, pilgrimage, natural corridors and everyday use of the territory.
The route crosses four protected natural areas:
• The Parco Agricolo Sud Milano – covering 30% of the Milan Metropolitan City Area
• The Vettabbia Park
• The WWF Oasis at Montorfano
• The Intercommunity San Colombano and Sillari Local Parks
Along the way, hikers encounter a rich mosaic of sites: the Milanese medieval basilicas of San Lorenzo and Sant’Eustorgio, the monastic communities settled in the Abbeys of Chiaravalle, Viboldone and Mirasole, as well as ancient towns such as Melegnano, Lodi Vecchio, and Orio Litta.
Summary: A Four-Stage Itinerary
The Cammino is a flat, 16-hour hiking route that can be divided into four stages:
- Milan (Sant’Eustorgio) to Viboldone Abbey (15 km): Passes through historic suburbs and religious landmarks like Chiaravalle Abbey with its 14th-century frescoes.
- Viboldone to Tavazzano (16 km): Follows the Vettabbia canal, with optional detours including the Battle of Marignano site, ending in the South Milan Agricultural Park.
- Tavazzano to Borghetto Lodigiano (23.7 km): The longest, most rural stage through Lodi’s dairy-farming countryside, with Roman and Medieval site remains.
- Borghetto Lodigiano to Corte Sant’Andrea (10 km): Reaches the Po River, passing Orio Litta and the historic Litta Carini Villa, ending at a medieval river crossing linked to the Via Francigena.
A ferry connects the route to the Via Francigena for those continuing toward Rome.
Accessibility and Social Impact
The route is accessible to the mobility-challenged on specific segments and showcases educational and community initiatives along the way.
A Holistic Model for Rural Heritage
The Cammino dei Monaci exemplifies how a landscape-based and community-driven approach can help revalorize religious heritage sites that might otherwise be overlooked or underutilized. Through a combination of slow tourism, ecological awareness promotion, local residents’ participation, and a shared spiritual legacy, it offers a replicable model for other European regions facing similar challenges.
Centro Nocetum, based in a restored farmhouse between Milan and its agricultural park, promotes social, cultural, and spiritual inclusion through support for vulnerable women, education, vocational training, and coordination of the Monks’ Valley Network.
This initiative offers valuable inspiration for addressing the complex accessibility challenge facing religious heritage management in rural areas. It proposes networks for collaboration and knowledge-sharing while fostering a sustainable and user-friendly approach to a whole heritage experience in order to match slow mobility tourism with an integrated approach to the territory.