Umbria to the smell of oil and lentils
In Umbria argue that behind every good oil is a good story. That the olive Paradise Pianciano dates back to 1600 when Count Pianciani, a descendant of a family of ancient Roman origins, he decided to plant the estate of 90 hectares near Spoleto, 25,000 plants. Antonio’s grandfather Bachetoni, the current owner, acquired it after the Pianciani in the late ‘800 squandered all their possessions to maintain a private army during the struggle for the independence of Italy. Today, as then, the olives are harvested by hand on a hill of limestone placed at 550 meters above sea level and the pressing takes place in the same building used five centuries ago.
The oil quality moraiolo made from it is spicy and absorbs odors of wild herbs that live and grow around the foliage of plants. Next to the Frantoio, graze Chianina cattle, and above all stands in all its magnificence that seventeenth-century building, where the Count farmer, after having participated between October and early December in the olive harvest , retired devoting himself to the readings of the volumes that fill the shelves of his library, including frescoed walls, salt African hunting trophies, floors made of olive wood . How many stories and oils you can enjoy the Umbria crossing between November and early December doc taking advantage of events such as Open Crushers www.frantoiaperti.net and perhaps using means “slow” as the bicycle. With Umbria & Bike www.umbrialifestyle.it without worrying about the luggage, starting from Spoleto, after visiting the Church of St. Peter dating from the twelfth century, the Lombard Temple on Clitunno of the seventh century AD and the Cathedral of St. Assumption – the facade is embellished with mosaic Solsterno and the arches of the portico made by Ambrogio Barocci, while inside you can admire the frescoes delicate but also a bit brazen by Pinturicchio in the Chapel Eroli covering the nakedness with vine leaves and thong plant and above the apse frescoes from the Life of the Virgin Filippo Lippi – you can beat the streets of pleasure and nostalgia. For example, parts of the former railway line from 1926 until 1968 connected Spoleto to Norcia through the Nera Valley. The story of the blue train is told in the museum set up inside the station in Spoleto, where they ran the rails while now unfolds a gentle green way for cyclists who among bushes of wild heather, wedging in this valley funnel admiring views from a privileged perspective , encountering along the 52 km of the track bobcats , golden eagles, kestrels , passing over 24 viaducts and entering of helical tunnels.
By bike you can achieve, from Spoleto – is the romantic night walk to Tower Bridge with view of the Rocca Albornoz – the fortified village of Campello Alto became widespread hotel (Borgo Campello ) where women still bake the cakes in the public ovens to ‘ open and guests who choose to stay inside these stone houses collect the vegetables from the vegetable gardens as in centuries past . Vallo di Nera instead is a movie set inhabited . Franco Zeffirelli chose him in ’72 to film several scenes of “Brother Sun, Sister Moon ” attracted by the beauty of this country lookout over the valley of the Nera and also the frescoes of the church in 1176 gem that is Santa Maria Assunta in which, among many scenes , recognize the martyrdom of Saint Lucia , Saint Francis with the stigmata and the Rule and intent to preach to the birds. Re enjoyed the Inn Cheese omelet with a sauce of truffles blacks to work where you can watch all’Agria Valnerina ( agria.val @ libero.it ) , you move in Norcia, the village from the seven gates : in the Piazza San Benedetto, under the statue of Abbot founded the order, the youth will compete in the tug of war in front of the Palace of Castellina , while the monks with black hoods , originating in New York but also of Nepal, tell the story of Nursia produced in their craft brewery that now competing in terms of fame and hunger to the most famous charcuterie from the many , perhaps too many boar heads hanging on the insignia as that of the brothers – ( nomen omen ? ) – Ansuini . From Norcia salt in the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini up to Castelluccio , which stands on the summit of a hill from which you are trying to launch the ecstasy gaze into the plain : the plateau highest in Europe now does not show off the colors red poppies , yellow lentils (try the Farm the Path of the fairies ) , cornflower blue , but the contrast between the green of the grass and pines and the brown foliage alive the charm . And the look becomes a child and seeking the sibyls who , according to legend, were dancing on the plain hiding their hooves with long robes.
Take a Look at this link to discover our day trip from rome
