The Via Imperii (Berlin to Leipzig) - Hiking Germany in January

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Via Imperii

Travel one of the most important imperial routes of the ancient Holy Roman Empire north through Europe all the way from the shores of the Adriatic Sea to the Baltic.

History

During the times of the Holy Roman Empire, two of the most important trade routes in Germany were the Via Regia (the "Royal Highway") crossing east and west, and the Via Imperii ("Imperial Road", or rather "the Road that comes from the Empire") crossing north and south.

These roads were important, as trade routes within the Empire.


The importance of the Via Regia is that it connected Flanders with Moscow.

The Via Imperii had a similar importance, as e.g. in 1430 90% of all trade between Augsburg and Venice traveled along the Via Imperii.

The Via Imperii was one of the most famous long-distance trade routes in the Middle Ages. The Roman trade route ran from Szczecin/Stettin via Bernau/Berlin, Leipzig, Nuremberg and Florence to Rome and connected important trading and pilgrimage sites.

In Leipzig the Via Imperii meets the Via Regia which continues to Santiago de Compostela to the Holy Sepulchre of the Apostle James.





My Pilgrimage Route Along the Via Imperii

Start: Berlin-Mitte / Finish: Leipzig

The section from Berlin to Leipzig leads through the german states of Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony. 

Berlin and Leipzig are large cities with many sights,  and offer an exciting city life with lots of night-time activity

The smaller towns e.g. Teltow, Lutherstadt-Wittenberg and Beelitz are less "hectic". Of course, this is a relative statement just as it would be in the USA, but I prefer the fields and forest areas which alternate with small villages. 

My path will take me over the Ice Age-formed Fläming plateau and through the Dübener Heide nature park with its rich forests. I'm not completely sure yet, but I suspect that I will also pass along many farms.

Length: 212 km (9-10 days) ( following distances are approximated)
  • Berlin - 20 km (1 day)
  • Brandenburg - 70 km (4 days)
  • Anhalt-Saxony - 70 km (4 days)
  • Saxony - 40 km (2 day)

Why Make a Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, and at that time was exclusively religiously motivated.

No matter whether you want to travel alone or in a group: a pilgrimage immediately helps slow things down. Travelling longer distances on foot while being in harmony with nature has an almost meditative side effect. 

Nowadays most people walk a pilgrimage for spiritual rather than religious reasons. Of course, many also hike these trails to take on the physical challenge.

Following the Via Imperii

Route marking: stylized yellow shell on a blue background. The closed side of the shell faces in the direction of walking. Traditionally, the Way of St. James is only marked in the direction of Santiago de Compostela.

The Berlin-Leipzig section has been almost completely signposted since spring 2015. 
In Berlin the path follows the Green Main Path No.5. 
The landscape is flat and without any paritcular differnces in altitude.
Only in Fläming and the Dübner Heide is it slightly hilly.

However, I will be using apps as a backup to following the path.

Why I Chose the Via Imperii

As I continue my study of German, and my desire to put it to use continues, I wanted to return to Germany after last year's walk along the Muencher Jakobsweg. After looking at various trail lengths, it seemed like the Via Imperii was a good fit for the amount of time that I had and the distance that I wanted to walk.

It is a mixture of feelings. I've got eight years of backpacking / hiking western Europe under my belt (over 2000 miles in five countries). Yet there is still so much to explore both outside in the world, and inside as a person. 

Reflecting on How Far I've Come



Memoriam

My Gregory Baltoro 75 lasted from 2014 (my first Camino de Santiago) until 2022 (my most recent Camino de Santiago). In between we visited Ireland three times, Switzerland, Portugal, Germany and, of course, Spain eight times.
 
I never named her but she was a grand old dame!!!


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