LA COSTRUZIONE DI UN CAMMINO DI PELLEGRINAGGIO PER SANT’ANTONIO DI PADOVA, DA CAPO MILAZZO E DA GEMONA DEL FRIULI A PADOVA

The theme of the religious pilgrimage and its relation to modern forms of walking tourism are widely studied in literature, from the social sciences to economic studies, with diff erent approaches. From an interdisciplinary perspective, referring to Tourism Studies and the aspects of regional tourist development, the article illustrates the most recent plans for the Walk of St. Anthony of Padua at a national level, based on historical and geographical sources and materials. In particular, the role of three municipalities - Milazzo in Sicily, Polla in the Campania region and Gemona del Friuli - is examined within the project to extend the itinerary from Sicily to Assisi and from the Friuli region to Padua. With respect to the established routes, La Verna-Padua and the Last Walk in the area of Padua, the development of these new areas in the project makes it possible to highlight the importance of lesser-known aspects of tradition and historical documentation, the needs of regional development and tourism in marginal areas that choose to focus on new forms of experiential tourism, the possible driving role of local institutions in the implementation of the Walk at the supra-municipal level.