Coeur, in the heart of the Routes of Europe, the path that unites. A project born between Italy and Switzerland to discover unique paths, combining the Via Francigena and the Swiss-German Way of Santiago de Compostela.
Il Interreg CoEUR project consists of a network of paths in Switzerland e Italy. The name emphasizes how this route crosses the center of Europe. CoEUR mimics the French pronunciation of the word heart in the various areas of the project in the Swiss cantons of Ticino and Schwyz and in the Italian region of Piedmont.
The hiking and devotional itineraries combine sites of naturalistic, religious, historical and cultural importance. They combine the Via Francigena and Santiago's walk of Compostela Swiss-German - the two main devotional paths of Europe. You will find all the routes on the official CoEUR website.
The relaxation of spending time in contact with nature
Our grandparents and great-grandparents knew it: spending time in nature is good for our soul. It gives us peace, relaxation and serenity. For them it was of course to walk every weekend and take a walk every night. We grandchildren today spend our days in the office in front of the computer all week. For us it would be as essential as ever rediscover nature and walking on CoEUR because this activity can reduce stress and prevent burnout syndrome.
Walking is good for your heart and health
Walking the path that unites is not alone good to mind, but also to the body. It helps prevent many diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes and problems with the joints such as osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis. It has the same benefits as sports in the fitness center with the added effect of being in nature and without costing a single penny.
Seeing the beauty of nature gives joy and happiness
Ours has become one consumer society. It means that many of us want more and more. We are (almost) never happy. It takes more impressed journeys, more extreme experiences, a bigger choice of dress, a faster car… and in the end we don't feel happy because this stuff isn't the things that give real joy. If, on the other hand, we take the time to listen to the songs of the birds, to feel the wind on our skin and to see all the little miracles of nature, we discover true hidden happiness.
By walking, children get to know nature
Many children living in a big city they don't see the wonderful nature in their daily life. For them a weekend in the mountains or a day spent walking in the Heart of the Paths of Europe it can become a truly unforgettable adventure. Why not organize a treasure hunt with an expert picnic?
Pilgrim from spirituality
The idea of the spirituality is fundamental for CoEUR. There are so many religious places to follow, especially five Sacred Mountains of Piedmont: The Sacro Monte di Ghiffa, the Sacro Monte di Domodossola, the Sacro Monte di Orta, the Sacro Monte di Varallo and the Sacro Monte di Oropa. These Sacred Mountains are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The path of San Carlo Borromeo between Lake Maggiore, Valsesia, Biellese and Canavese will be very interesting. The pilgrim, a "journey, individual or collective to a sacred place, especially for penance or to dissolve a vow" is a very old act like humanity.
