In October 2007, the Italian anthropologist Giovanni Caselli and the retired German pastor Uwe Schott had the idea of exploring the Rome Way of Abbot Albert von Stade. Uwe Schott located the 28 stage towns in Germany mentioned by Abbot Albert in his itinerary (Itinerar) of 1237 and Giovanni Caselli located the stage towns in Italy.
After countless discussions and meetings, representatives from these places decided to found support associations for Germany and Italy. The aim is to raise awareness of the “Via Romea”. In Germany the “Romweg Abt Albert von Stade” e.V. and in Italy the “Associazione Italiana della Via Romea Germanica” were founded.
A common logo was developed and a close cooperation was decided upon. Within the framework of the recognition procedure as a European Cultural Route, the Austrian pilgrim association “JERUSALEMWAY” has been won as a third cooperation partner.
These three partner associations founded the European Association of the Via Romea Germanica in order to clear the way for recognition as a European Cultural Route.