What year did stations of the cross first take place?

Stations of the Cross is a Roman Catholic devotion that re-enacts the final hours of Jesus. The practice originated in the 14th century, and was popularized by St. Francis of Assisi. The Stations of the Cross consist of 14 images, each depicting a scene from the Passion of Christ. Pilgrims would visit each station and pray, making the Stations of the Cross a form of meditation and penance. The practice spread throughout Europe and the Americas, and today it is a common devotion in many Catholic churches.