Via della Costa

The pilgrim is the one who travels alone or in a group.

He is aware that he will go along a road that is not the one he does every day and that the journey will constitute a fundamental change compared to his daily life; the detachment and the physical and moral sacrifices would broaden his gaze beyond the family horizon. The goal is to reach the destination: the holy place to which it is headed. He will be filled with a spiritual richness that will bring him closer to the saints and to God.

The main symbols that identify pilgrims (signa peregrinationis) are:

• the shell which represents an open and generous hand, it is also a symbol of regeneration and salvation

• the "bordone" (curved staff) which symbolizes faith and perseverance;

• la the saddlebag, a symbol of mortification of the flesh, always kept open to testify to the pilgrim's gifts of charity and altruism.

The Testimonium: it is the certificate issued to those who have made the pilgrimage to Rome. It corresponds to the "Compostela", which is obtained by walking the Camino de Santiago. In ancient times, this parchment was essential to be able to demonstrate that they had made the pilgrimage to those who had to dissolve a vow, remit a sentence and more.

The Testimonium is granted only to pilgrims who, presenting the stamped credential, have walked at least the last 140 km, or the last 400 km by bicycle of the route. Once granted, it can be picked up at the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi office in St. Peter's Square or at the Offices of the Rectory of St. Peter's in Rome.

At the beginning of his journey, the pilgrim will receive the Credential, which certifies his status as a pilgrim with all rights and duties. On it he will affix the stamps of the stopping points and at the end of the route he will be given the "Pilgrim's Diploma".