![]() ![]() On the edge of Mount Subasio we visited the Sportoletti winery. In the Church of Sant'Andrea there is the beautiful Madonna Scrivente by Pinturicchio who also wrote an apology on the painting for not being able to finish it before leaving the town. In the Palazzo Comunale you can see the Rescript of Constantine, 327-335 A.D, and a permanent exhibition of the sculptures and graphic works given to the town by Emilio Greco. Both charming and a real treasure trove, in the Collegiata di Santa Maria Maggiore you can see the beautiful Cappella Baglioni of Pinturicchio and the Madonna della Pietà of Perugino. The panoramic 'della collina' road takes us to Perugia with its elegant medieval heart of churches, fountains and historic buildings. Marsciano is another important wine centre whose output gives us Colli Perugini doc. Pliny the Younger, who praised their dry, velvety flavour and absolute 'organoleptic goodness'.īut do look up occasionally to admire the splendid medieval buildings in the historic centre such as Palazzo del Capitano, Palazzo del Popolo and Palazzo dei Priori. The wines of Todi ( Tudernum, Cantine Todini, Roccafiore) were first appreciated as far back as the first century AD. A wine visit starts with a view of the whole estate from where you can admire Assisi which is just 15 km away. The vineyards grow Grechetto, Vernaccia di Cannara, Sagrantino dell'Umbria and other autocthonous grape varieties. ![]() Their wine is made with organic grapes and the cantina only uses environmentally friendly, natural and biodynamic methods of cultivation. ![]() Staying in Cannara, another example of cutting edge research being applied to organic farming is by Cantina Di Filippo. Decimi has received many awards including World's Best Olive Oil in 2013. The pressing of olives is made with advanced machinery while the harvesting is carried out exclusively by hand at the correct moment of ripeness. Another blend is a combination of Moraiolo and San Felice along with Frantoio ad Leccino. The olive oils cultivated are monocultivars Moraiolo and San Felice. The farm is family run and it is a great example of modernity and tradition combined. Leaving Bettona we drove towards Cannara to stop at the Oleificio Decimi for extra virgin olive oil tasting. The garden terrace offers a truly amazing panorama of the Umbria valley. The latter is home to precious masterpieces such as La Madonna della Misericordia by Perugino, as well as other important works by other protagonists of the Italian renaissance. Historic buildings include Palazzetto del Podestà and Palazzo Biancalana which hosts the Etruscan Museum and Art Gallery of Bettona. They are bred for eating, I have to point out, and you can enjoy the bird in all its gastronomic varieties and washed down with the local wine. This pristine place is famous for its Goose Festival in August. They say Umbria is 'slow' and what better excuse to further leave urban pressures behind by walking part of the nearby via Francigena.īettona sits halfway between Assisi and Perugia and has perfectly preserved Etruscan walls. Francis our guide walked us to Santa Chiara Church as well as many places and corners I'd seen many times.īut each visit offers new emotions, such as the facade of the Minerva temple. It seems that Goethe during his Grand Tour wasn't too impressed by the artistic masterpieces of the Basilica, but he remained astonished in front of the perfectly preserved six Corinthian columns. La quale è multo utile et humile et pretiosa et casta." Spello, Todi, Perugia, Bettona, Cannara and Assisiĭespite the biting cold and the rain of a winter February day, Assisi was enchanting as always. Per lo quale, a le Tue creature dài sustentamento. Laudato si', mi' Signore, per frate VentoĮt per aere et nubilo et sereno et onne tempo, In celu l'ài formate clarite et pretiose et belle. Laudato si', mi Signore, per sora Luna e le stelle: Lo qual è iorna, et allumeni noi per lui.Įt ellu è bellu e radiante cum grande splendore: Laudato sie, mi' Signore cum tucte le Tue creature, Tue so' le laude, la gloria e l'honore et onne benedictione. Your starting and finish point should be Torgiano and, of the 12 municipalities which host the route, dont miss out on Cannara, Bettona, Deruta, Todi, Assisi and Perugia. ' Cantico' refers to the cantle, which is the poem of the creation by Saint Francis of Assisi (view video below), while the dove on the logo of the route's emblem represents the peace message of the Saint.Īs well as being well known for its Doc wines (Assisi, Colli Perugini, Torgiano, Colli Martani, Todi) and Torgiano Red Docg, the route is also a way to discover some of the best extra virgin olive oil you'll ever encounter, as well as precious art and masterpieces guarded in the many palazzi, churches and museums of the territory. ![]()
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