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Here we are in Umbria and a denomination
referring to local literature could not be
missing: also if, thinking about "Canticles", those of the Canzoniere by
Francesco Petrarca are the first ones that come to your mind
first, here reference is made to the well known "Cantico
delle Creature" ("The Creatures Canticle") by San Francesco from Assisi.
The stages
of the "Cantico" Wines Road are Torgiano, Marsciano, Cannara,
Spello, Bettona, Perugia and Assisi. To this latter "Ciboviaggiando"
dedicates a short special, being the town of Assisi itself important
from several points of view that have nothing to do with the
"Cantico" Wines Road.
Assisi
It lays at
the slopes of Subasio Mountain, towards Perugia. The news about the
Umbrian-Roman origins of this town come from some archeological and
epigraphical evidences; it had to suffer the power of the Etruscan
and powerful Perugia and in 89 before Christ it became a Roman
Municipium under the name of Asisium, starting a period of
noticeable prosperity that coincide with the diffusion of the
Christianity (in 3rd century, thanks to San Rufino, the first town
bishop). |
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Later, Federico Barbarossa put Assisi under the
direct dominion of the Empire but the popular rising of 1198 chased
the Imperial envoys and gave birth to the free Commune, that was
then defeated by the very powerful Perugia during the Battle of
Collestrada in 1202.
In that eve Francesco was born of a noble merchant
family, and the Franciscan Order was born with him. In 1860 Assisi
was annexed to the Reign of Italy.
A short time before, the discovery of the bodies of
San Francesco (1818) and Santa Chiara (1850), would provoke a
renewed interest for the town, that soon became the destination of
crowds of pilgrims and tourists from several countries.
The route to follow in Assisi and sorted out for
you by Ciboviaggiando, is that one starts from Piazza Matteotti to
reach Piazza San Rufino and eventually the very well known Church of
Saint Maria Maggiore and the surrounding complex.
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The above mentioned monumental patrimony includes
the whole historical and religious tradition of the Saint and
amplified by the works contained in the buildings among which the
well known Giotto frescoes are worthy to be mentioned.
From Piazzetta Santa Margherita you can see the
architectural complex made of the Superior and Inferior Basilica and
the underneath valley.
By a ladder behind the Apse you can go down to the
terrace that links both the churches by facing over the Cloister
Pope Sisto 4th (1476).
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San Francesco Inferior
Basilica
It is the first architectural complex
made according to the project of the Friar Elia after the death of
Saint Francesco. The basements were reinforced and some buttresses
were put to hold a second Church.
Inside the Inferior Basilica you can
find a patrimony of frescoes and sculptured works by Art Masters
such as Giotto and Cimabue.
On the half of the broad aisle some
stairs start and go down the crypt, where the body of the Saint
rests in the original case, placed over an altar and enlightened by
a votive lamp. | |
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Todi
Plinio the Old already exalted the
wines produced in that land in the 14th book of his Natural History
but yet Todi people knew the goodness of that product.
Since the ancient eve you daily eat
such wines as Todi Trebbiano and the Greek or "Grechetto".
Such wines were usually offered to well
known people visiting the town and an important event that demanded
for that offer was the finishing of the Façade of the Saint
Fortunato Church (1400).
Nowadays the whole jurisdictional land
in Todi Commune is part of the "Colli Martani" D.O.C. with the
species of wine such as Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Sangiovese cuvee and
the renowned Grechetto from Todi Festival, Roller Gala, "Todi by
Night" and Saint Martino Fair. |
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Passing by Fratta Todina you reach...
Marsciano
It lays in the more central area of Umbria region
(so-called the heart of Italy) equally far from Orvieto to the west,
Assisi to the east, Perugia to the north and Todi to the south.
The countryside there is passed through by Tevere
and Nestore rivers. The surrounding hills show off beautiful
villages and sumptuous castles.
To be in the crossing of mean ways since the ancient eves
(Etruscans) gave way to the success of Marsciano. Typical products of
local agriculture are: wheat, corn, tobacco, various vegetable garden products besides of wine
and oil of course. | |
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You are in the "Colli Perugini" DOC area and the
vines that are most exploited there are: Cabernet and Merlot among
the red wines and Trebbiano, Grechetto and Chardonnay among the
white wines.
The density of farm-holidays there is very high.
Since ancient eves the production of bricks and terracotta has always distinguished itself
up to the total recover of kilns and the
institution of a museum/laboratory for the artistic and building research.
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Perugia
From the Panoramic road
so-called of the "Hills" or the "Saints’" one you can reach the
Umbrian head-town. The area surrounding Perugia obviously cannot but
belong to the DOC "Colli Perugini" that improves the typical Umbrian
vines (Grechetto, Trebbiano and Sangiovese) where even such other
vines as Chardonnay and Merlot grow well.
The ancient agricultural inclination of the
Perugian area is widely witnessed by the University Pole of
Agriculture and by the Medieval Garden.
In the historical centre there are many historical
ruins, monuments and churches spread over the small street net.
Mainly from Square IV Novembre with the well known Fontana Maggiore
(fountain) the Corso Vannucci (main way) starts, passes aside the
Palazzo dei Priori (Palace) and reaches the Giardini Carducci
(Gardens).
Along that route 2 important events take place and
make Parugia very well known in the World: Umbria Jazz with many
artists from every Continent and Eurochocolate, the Gods’ Food Fair
led to the maximum levels.
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Torgiano
It is an ancient Roman river
harbour placed where the Tevere and Chiascio Rivers meet each other.
Thanks to the research and promotion work
enterprised by Giorgio Lungarotti in that centre there is the Museum
of the foundation that takes its name from him and is called the
Museum of Wines and the one of Olive tree and Olive Oil.
The findings there show a guideline of both
products in Italian and Umbrian history. There are two important wines:
the Red Torgiano DOCG and the White Torgiano DOC and some important event such as:
Taste Bar of Italian Wines and Author’s Vaselle take place
for experts and domain workers.
Bettona
That is a land of grapevines
and olive trees since the Etruscans’ eve. There you can taste
excellent wines of the "Colli Martani" DOC with Sangiovese,
Grechetto and trebbiano vines.
Those are superbly matched with local food
products like the typical salami and Roasted Goose.
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Cannara
It is a centre laying nearby
Assisi and Spello along the way that links Torgiano to Montefalco.
Cannara is known already for the production of the
well known homonymous onions
(White, Red, Flat and Golden).
Grechetto, Trebbiano and Malvasia are the typical
white wines of the local wine growing besides of the red vines like
Sangiovese, Merlot and Cornetta.
The latter is a native vine recently recovered; by
that back in times you used to produce an excellent "passito" wine:
the Vernaccia to get along with Easter’s banquets.
During the year in Cannara you set for Feasts to
celebrate any product: the olive oil, the local onion and the wine.
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Spello
The wonderful and towered
Hispellum has to thank Art of good eating for its fame for the high
quality restoration and typical wine and food products are its
"trump cards".
Local Typical vines are: Grechetto (native),
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc among the white wines and Merlot, Black
Pinot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon among the red wines.
An important local event every year is always the
Infiorata, a contest of flower puzzles on the streets set for the
Corpus Domini (God’s Body – month of may).
A local artist of Naif painting is Norberto and his
pictures are very famous with a unique subject: small friars that
play various sports and do various works.
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where to eat
where to buy
Ciboviaggiando suggests: