Wandering around medieval Umbria, Italy

Whoever has been to Umbria before, most likely knows its most famous cities like Perugia, Spoleto, Todi, Orvieto, Spello, Gubbio and so on. I would strongly  recommend to visit one of these cities and I myself will absolutely write a post on them. But, as it was All Saints Day and there  was not much to experience, I just wandered around the countryside close to home.

I thought I already knew my way out but, luckily, I didn’t. There is so much to discover in this lovely part of the world that I think I will never stop being amazed by the amazing views.

The vendemmia – grape harvest –was harvested so the vineyards spread their radiant autumn colours and the typical smell of wood fires made perceive that autumn was all over the country.

I drove towards Gualdo Cattaneo, a picturesque town on a hill overlooking  the surrounding landscape. Its position is probably the reason why Pope Alexander VI (The Borgia Pope) had an impressive tower built there.

As it was very quiet, I had the chance to take pictures of a few nice corners in town but I can assure you that there are a lot more and in every spot outside the town, where you will have a great view of the landscape.

After Gualdo, I visited a few hamlets in the neighbourhood. It was very funny to arrive at a crossing which was pointed out as `Pozzo` (well) to the left and `Cisterna` (cistern) to the right. It almost makes hard to believe that here water can run out  during summer.

I decided for Cisterna, which appeared to be a medieval castle turned into a residence with holiday apartments. The quiet atmosphere, the very nice people and the stunning views of the olive groves and hills almost made me stop.

A scenic road through the olive groves, where some of the trees are really very old – and vineyards led me to Bastardo, very close to my place: it was such a nice afternoon that it only seemed right to take one last detour and drive to Giano dell´Umbria. This small town, surrounded by two circles of walls, has a beautiful piazza (square) and a few interesting churches I remember from previous visits, but they were all closed. Nevertheless, the impressions in the fading light of the afternoon made the visit worth and I can always come back.

As it was darkening, I went back  home, feeling really happy about this afternoon.

Where is Umbria?

Yo Monteolivo

My name is Yo, I live in a house named Monteolivo, in The Netherlands, in a village near Alkmaar, called Heiloo. In my bilingual blog `La Vita di monteolivo` I like to share my favorite things in life. Those are the Italian kitchen, my vegetable- and herbgarden, and my pets. There are six cats, of which Pio is my absolute nr. 1 and two German Shepherds called Uno and Chica. But most of all, three times a year I simply have to follow my roots, to travel to Italy and Umbria in particular.