The Via Francigena for All
摘要
This chapter presents a case study of cultural routes for the disabled in Puglia in the Italian Mezzogiorno, linked to the southern section of the European Via Francigena. With about 900 kilometres of history, traditions and locations, the ‘Southern Via Francigena’ crosses the Italian regions of Lazio, Campania and Puglia. However, it is limited by the presence of architectural barriers and the lack of adequate facilities, services and guides who are sufficiently trained to accompany disabled visitors. In 2019, two cultural associations, Mollare Mai and Via Francigena Pugliese, started a project to map the route running from Brindisi to Santa Maria di Leuca at the tip of the Salento peninsula. The aim was to assess the potential for people with disabilities, indicating accessible variants and points of interest, and building a network of interest among other cultural associations, stakeholders, local governments and local communities affected by the route. It is hoped that recent funding obtained through public calls for proposals will enable the implementation of a project that could represent best practice for other accessible cultural routes.