Via Querinissima – a cultural route that unites Europe

Cultural Routes is a programme of the Council of Europe, launched in 1987 when Santiago de Compostela became the first certified route. Today, there are more than 40 certified routes in Europe, seven of which pass through Sweden. The certification is renewed every three years and is a seal of quality. The routes are linked by history, geography or theme. The aim is to highlight common cultural heritage, strengthen local cultural life, promote intercultural dialogue and sustainable cultural tourism.

On the initiative of, among others, the Västra Götaland region's cultural committee, Via Querinissima - from myth to history, a project was established. In the first instance, it is not an actual walking route, rather the participating regions form the route, all of which lie along the path travelled by Pietro Querini. The aim of the project is to achieve Council of Europe certification for European Cultural Routes. 

Via Querinissima – from myth to history

The starting point of the project is the dramatic journey of the merchant Pietro Querini in 1431, who, after a shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northern Norway, returned to Venice after a long time – a journey that took him through today's Västra Götaland. According to his travel diaries, he passed through Lödöse, the gateway to the continent at the time and the site of early Gothenburg. Today, Querini's route is highlighted at Lödöse Museum, in programme activities and in-depth studies. 

Västra Götaland has 1000 kilometres of pilgrimage routes. With Lödöse, Skara and Varnhem as central destinations, the Via Querissima can be a valuable addition and linked to the certified route in the footsteps of St Olav.

Criteria and values

A cultural route should have a theme rooted in European democratic values. It should link countries and cultural heritage – both tangible and intangible. Certification requires that the project is developed by experts from different regions, promotes cultural exchange among young people and contributes to sustainable tourism.

It is hoped that Via Querinissima will fulfil the criteria and contribute to the promotion of the common European cultural heritage.

Pietro Querini – a cultural bridge between North and South 

In 1431, Venetian merchant and nobleman Pietro Querini leaves Crete with 68 crew members. They are on their way to Bruges in Flanders, one of Europe's most important harbour cities. On board they have a precious cargo: Malvasia, an exclusive, sweet-strong wine. 

After just a few weeks, they are caught in a terrible storm that hits with full force. Masters are broken, sails are torn. Sailing ability disappears. After drifting at sea for several weeks, the men end up on the deserted island of Sandøya in the North Atlantic. By then, most of the crew have died of starvation and cold. When all hope is lost, Querini and the ten surviving crew members are rescued. A fisherman and his son from the northern Norwegian island of Røst take the shipwrecked crew home.

It is winter and resources are scarce. Despite this, they are received with great hospitality, which makes a big impression on Querini. What also makes a big impression is the dried fish skrei, which is the basis of the local economy and livelihood. 

Three months later, Querini and the crew return home. The fish is packed back to Italy. This was the start of its spread in Venetian and now southern European food culture. The encounter between Venetian Renaissance culture and northern Norwegian coastal tradition is an early and unusual example of intercultural exchange on the periphery of Europe. The journey southwards takes in Trondheim, Vadstena and the Swedish port of Lödöse, then a bustling and colourful harbour town with a Dominican monastery, a royal castle and a vibrant commercial life. There are shelters for travellers and good opportunities to travel further into Europe. Three of the crew arrange transport southwards via Rostock, while Querini and the other seven choose to head for London.

The Via Querinissima follows the historic route of Pietro Querini. It connects geographical areas and identities, from the Mediterranean to the North Atlantic, where the legacy of Querini lives on today. In regions such as Veneto and Lofoten, dried fish is celebrated with festivals, food traditions and cultural exchanges.