A route across Europe, bringing communities together
Around 590, the Irish monk Columbanus left the island with twelve followers, including Saint Gall, to travel across Europe. A strong personality and highly educated, he met and advised many powerful figures of the Early Middle Ages. His biography, written in 640, sheds light on this troubled and poorly documented period.
In a letter addressed to Pope Gregory the Great, Saint Columbanus was the first to use the term "Europe" as a cultural, political and religious entity. His actions, along with those of his disciples and of the monks who followed his rule for nearly two centuries, helped bring peace and stability to wide areas of the continent.
The Via Columbani today follows in their footsteps, crossing nine countries of modern Europe.
The Via Columbani Partnership is a collaboration between all those who share Columbanus values of peace, justice and unity.
NEWS OF THE PARTNERSHIP
ACCESS THE ITINERARIES
The Via Columbani route guide traces the historic journey of Saint Columbanus, in two parts:
- The first starting from his place of birth in south-eastern Ireland, including his departure for the European continent from Bangor in around 590, his arrival in Brittany and sojourn in Eastern France;
- The second from 610, with his exile, his travels through France, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein, finally to Northern Italy, where his tomb is located.
Crossing nine European countries, the Via Columbani also offers local and regional circuits that preserve the memory of this remarkable figure, one of the fathers of modern Europe.
Access the itineraries
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ROUTE
9 PARTNER COUNTRIES
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