Tourism: Abruzzo promotes Pilgrimage and Transhumance Route

Pescara - Promotion of Slow Tourism and of special cultural and historical features of the region, through the rediscovery of ancient paths. Two routes highlighted: "The Path of Forgiveness" and "A walk through Abruzzos history". The former focuses on the story of the hermit Pope, Celestino V, connecting the Umbria of Saint Francis with the Puglia of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, walking on ancient paths and transhumance routes. The second itinerary involves a spectacular journey of 330 km, from the Peligna Valley to Scanno, in the Majella National Park, involving four routes that take in parts of L'Aquila and the Amiternina area, with the majestic Gran Sasso mountain in full view. This is basically a kind of "portrait of a landscape" and "a journey through the history of Abruzzo", discovering its traditions and its astonishingly rich natural and historical heritage, in this case for the pleasure of lovers of slow tourism. This initiative has been illustrated by the Director of the Regione Abruzzos Department of Tourism, Culture and Landscape, Giancarlo Zappacosta, and by Claudio Ucci, coordinator of the Abruzzo DMC. The project has the strong backing of the Regional Governments President, Luciano D'Alfonso, who obtained financing for this project from the Ministry of Transport, to the tune of 190,000 euros: to be spent between 2016 and 2019 on restoring the two walking routes, and improving their safety and signposting. The first funding phase is already operative, and implementation is about to begin. Inspired by the Celestinian vision of Peace and Forgiveness, "The Path of Forgiveness" is a spiritual symbol with deep-roots in Abruzzo. The concept is to reinforce three instances of the values of peace and forgiveness: the Porziuncola Indulgence instituted by St. Francis, the universal LAquila Indulgence instituted by Pope Celestino V and the Angelic Forgiveness of Monte Sant'Angelo in the Gargano. This path of spiritual reflection offers walkers the possibility of visiting extraordinary places, including the Convent of Sant'Angelo d'Ocre near L'Aquila, the Sanctuary of the Manoppello Holy Face, the Sanctuary dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle in Ortona containing the relic of the Saints forefinger, and the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano.