La Preghiera Blog

A recent famous visitor

2009-06-02T12:03:00.000+02:00

A recent famous visitor to La Preghiera was a good looking young Englishman, with his beautiful Japanese girl-friend. They both stayed with the Tunstills whilst attending a large glamourous wedding at a nearby glitzy villa.

La Preghiera has a policy of not disclosing, in advance, the names of prospective guests, famous, or infamous, who need their privacy as much as we all do, and this is one of the reasons why they chose us. Even our staff are not informed.

This young man, with his partner, drove off to our local bar for a spot of lunch, in their new, sleek and super-low Ferrari. The cat was therefore was well and truly out of the bag!

For the remaing few days of their stay there was a constant stream of cars passing the front gate of La Preghiera hoping to catch a glimpse, but in vain, as were the telephone calls from local enthusiasts, which were fielded.

The morning arrived for these two exceedingly pleasant people to leave, because he had a bit of serious driving to do the next day in Monaco.

Oh...by the way...his name? Jenson Button.

Santa Rita of Cascia

2009-05-23T21:32:00.002+02:00

Words by Michelle Fabio

One of the most beloved Italian saints is St. Rita of Cascia, a native of Umbria who died in Cascia in 1456. Santa Rita is widely celebrated not only in the Green Heart of Italy but also throughout the country on her feast day, 22 May, with Mass, processions, and other festivities. St. Rita has a most interesting tale for a saint as she was married and had children.

Although St. Rita had always wanted to be a nun, she obeyed her elderly parents’ wishes to marry a harsh, immoral man when she was just 12 years old. She was a loyal wife and mother of twin sons for 18 years, but family life went sour when her husband was murdered and her sons sought revenge.

St. Rita tried to persuade them to change their minds, but when she realized nothing could stop them, she prayed they would be taken from Earth so they couldn’t commit murder themselves; they died of natural causes a year later.

Alone in the world, St. Rita sought admission to the Augustinian convent in Cascia, but was refused because she was a widow. Eventually she was admitted, though--her entrance itself a miracle as she claimed to have been transported inside by her own patron saints, John the Baptist, Augustine, and Nicholas of Tolentino.

St. Rita is often portrayed holding roses and/or figs and sometimes with an injury to her head because when she had asked to suffer as Jesus had, a thorn from the Crown of Thorns on a figure of the crucifixion fell on her forehead and cut her. She is the patron saint of hopeless causes, abused women, and parenthood.

W Santa Rita!
http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy-featured/cascia/celebrating-st-rita-cascia

"Lo Spino" Speed, Dust and Scenery on the Tuscan Umbrian Border

2009-05-13T18:33:00.001+02:00

The weekend of the 15th May will see the start of "Lo Spino" this is the 37th time this annual up hill speed race has been run. Competitors, in powerful, modified sports cars or special production cars will thunder their way, through some of Italy’s most beautiful mountain scenery in search of victory. Starting from the little town of Pieve Santo Stefano they will climb 1000 metres, over 7Km in under 3 minutes against the clock, on a steep, twisting course towards La Verna.

The crash barriers and bleachers are in place, the navigators signs indicating the direction and degree of turn have been put up, all that is needed now are the cars and crowds. The first event was run back in 1965 and won by Sangry La in an Alfa Romao TZ1, averaging 102Km/h. At the end of the 60’s its fame was already established and over 6,000 spectators made their way to this remote Tevere valley to watch the spectacle. The fastest ascent was by Parschal Irlando in 1992, driving a BMW with an average speed of 143Km/h.

Safety concerns in 2002 however saw the introduction of measures to ensure the well being of both spectators and drives, the course was shortened from 12Km to seven and modifications to cars were made to limit their speed. Fortunately this has not dampened the race for either the drivers or those watching. It is still as exciting to watch the cars speed their way around this torturous route with breath taking views all about.

If you can’t make the trip to the Upper Tiber Valley, then check out this clip on Youtube to experience the thril from the drivers vantage point. Click here.

Festa dei Ceri - Gubbio Candle Race

2009-05-09T12:58:00.002+02:00

If you are in central Italy this month, Gubbio’s Festa del Ceri, held every 15th of May is an event you can’t miss. For over 900 years the people of the Umbrian town have celebrated the lives of Saints Ubaldo; the towns patron saint, St George and St Anthony with a race through the streets.

There is much pageantry and ritual attached to the ceremony with a colourful procession of the three Ceri (25’ wooden sculptures depicting each saint.)Mass is celebrated and a large luncheon feast is held before the teams commence the race.

Starting from the Piazza Grande they travel up the back up the hill to the Basilica di Sant Ubaldo. The teams consist of ten carriers who are changed every ten minutes without stopping until the winners, which are always the Ubaldo team reach the doors of the Cathedral and attempt to close them before the others enter. Once the Ceri are safely stored, the saints are bought out and a candlelit procession continues around the town along with more eating and drinking.

Festival Umbria Jazz - 2009

2009-05-08T11:39:00.003+02:00

The wonderful frame of Umbria is the location of many special events in July 2009.

Festival Umbria Jazz, one of the most important appointments in Europe, will take place in Perugia from 10th to 19th July 2009, with no stop shows of different kind of music.

The event, very famous all around the world from its first edition in 1973, includes artists such as Simply Red, Donna Summer, Gino Paoli and Paolo Conte. Perugia is the marvellous city in Umbria full of monuments and things to do.

A luxury guest house in Umbria, La Preghiera, originally a 12th Century monastery, is an historic house which has been restored to an elegant country house estate offering bed and breakfast accommodation near Perugia is glad to offer 15% discount for a stay of three night or more in selected rooms

For availability email: info@lapreghiera.com, www.lapreghiera.com

Sagrantino Wine Trail

2009-05-08T11:36:00.003+02:00

Montefalco (Pg).

This year’s edition of the Cantine Aperte open wineries event, scheduled to run on May 30th and 31st, will once more see all the wineries around Bevagna, Foligno, Gualdo Cattaneo, Montefalco and Spello throwing open their doors for those interested in taking a closer look at the developing wine industry in Umbria, complete with tasting sessions and other events such as shows, concerts and more. Over the past years it has come to the attention of the organisers that Cantine Aperte appears to attract young people, either alone or in groups of friends, who contribute considerably to livening up the Sagrantino Wine Trail and all the other culinary events that accompany the event.

Info: 0742.354459

info@iat.foligno.pg.it

May's Programme of Events

2009-05-04T17:05:00.002+02:00

May truly sees the start of the festa season, with the Umbrian town of Gubbio staging two of the big events of the year. Both the Festa dei Ceri (the candle race) and Palio della Balestra (crossbow competition) are unmisable occassions in the Upper Tiber Valley calendar.

Until 7th Citta di Castello, Piazza Vitelli, Exhibition covering a range of furniture, arts and crafts
1st - 3rd Citerna “Citerna Fotografia” exhibition of photos by Vasco Ascolini
1st – 3rd Pistrino 19th annual “festa dei fiori” agricultural and flower show.
4th – 13th Cdi C Stadio Bernicchi holds the “Trofeo Cartoedit” junior football tournament.
6th – 8th Cdi C Cathedral, 11th E. Zangarelli musical competition for school children.
7th – 9th Assisi Medieval festival in period costume, archery, processions, flag waving and jousting.
10th S. Giustino Antiques market.
10th Lisciano Niccone “Lo Scambivendolo, agricultural, biological and antiques market.
14th – 17th Cdi C Zoccolanti, the popular religious festival for St Pasquale.
15th Gubbio Festa dei Ceri, the ancient race through the streets of Gubbio
17th Cdi C Piazza Metteotti, Antiques market.
17th Montone 6th Umbertide Endurance motorbike race.
24th Gubbio Replica of the Ceri race in miniture
24th – 2nd Cerbara 24th annual Countryside Cherry festival.
24th Monte S. M Tiberina Ascension Day, featuring a historical procession.
30th -2nd Cdi C Piazza Matteotti, Moto in an open air concert.
30th – 31st Cdi C Communal Pool, 22nd International Swimming competition.
31st Umbertide,Scula Media Mavarelli, 44th annual “Fotografia Umbria” exhibition of photographic equipment.
31st Gubbio The famous medieval Crossbow competition.
31st Cdi C Stadio Comunale, “Matty & Co” football tournament.

Castello to Rome by Canoe

2009-04-28T08:44:00.002+02:00

The 25th April saw the start of the 30th annual descent of the River Tiber from Citta di Castello to Rome. This now internationally acknowledged event, is the highlight of the canoeing calendar, especially for the clubs of Castello and Milan whose members made the first trip back in 1969.

Over the intervening years the event was run intermittently but in 1982, canoeist Francisco Bartolozzi, organised the festival for the first time and although the trip was undertaken by a small group, it assured the descents future. The following year there were more participants as well as an accompanying Army lorry used to transport the canoeist belongings, tents and support equipment. Before this all equipment was carried in the canoes and often ended up soaking wet.

1984 saw the competition come of age and attracted over 200 registrations and also have two Army trucks in attendance. Now it is recognised throughout the canoeing world and entrants arrive from all over Europe, include individual professional competitors, family groups, with ages from 5 to 80 years old.

The week long trip covering 25 -30 Km each day, has a troop of supports who follow the competitors, some on foot, by bicycle or in one of the support vehicles. They help at the difficult sections porting canoes around weirs and dams, setting up camp with its famous field kitchen.

The event also has an ecological aspect to it, helping to monitor the rivers course, erosion and pollution. Food cooked during the week uses locally produced ingredients and encourages people to examine the relationships between man and the environment. It allows people to renew old friendships, appreciate the beautiful landscape, towns and villages along the river and experience a tranquil, leisurely trip to Rome.

For anyone interested in cheering on our intrepid adventurers, they will be starting from the Ponte del Tevere, Citta di Castello on 25/4, Umbertide 26/4, Deruta 27/4, Fratta Todina 28/4, Civitella del Lago 29/4, Nazzano 30/4, arriving at Ponte Milvio, Rome 1 May.

Cycling Through Umbria

2009-04-07T12:27:00.002+02:00

Sunday, April 5th, saw the running of the 15th Upper Tiber Valley Cycling tournament. Teams of cyclists from all over Italy decended on the area all weekend to join in this annual 155km ride through some of the most beautiful countryside in Umbria.

The circuit started in the historic centre of Citta di Castello, heading south towards Trestina, through its surrounding hills.and back through San Secondo with its famous narrow gap, "the stretto", back to Citta di Castello. Then up to Lama, San Giustino and finally the picturesque village of Citerna before heading back to Citta di Castello and the finish. This now established national event kicks off the cycling season with many more competitions to take place throughout the province. One commentator said it was like the "Cavallo di San Francesco" on bikes weaving their way through the TIber valley, except this time is was only the traffic they were trying to avoid and not the City Guards of Perugia.

For the less competative cyclists out there Umbria provides excellent oportunities with the Appenine trail or the Walks of Saint Francis around Assisi but even a gentle ride through the many country lanes and hillside trails will prove an enjoyable experience.

Events over Easter in April

2009-04-02T19:52:00.000+02:00

Yes Spring is finally in the air, the days are getting longer and warmer and the first hints of green are appearing. This is reflected in the range of activities that continue to grow as the heat of Summer arrives. This month we have a wide range of entertainment to appeal to all tastes, plays, sporting events and fairs, especially with Easter around the corner.

Photo by Umbriart

5th April Palm Sunday

5th “Trofeo Alta Valle del Tevere” cycling competition around Citta di Castello and its surrounding countryside. www.unioneciclistica.it

8th April – Cantori di Assisi – From 9pm in the Basilica of St Clara the Assisi Choir will be holding their Easter recital.

10th April – Procession by the citizens of Montone in medieval costume.

10th April - Good Friday procession – Statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary will be paraded through the streets of the old centre of Citta di Castello. 8pm.

10th April – The procession of Christ in Gubbio, a tradition which dates back to the 13th Century will start at 7pm and be led by the Brothers of the Church of St Croce della Foce, accompanied by two choirs; the procession makes its way through the torch-lit streets.

Until 11th April - Umbertide - April Exhibition of the Great War in the Upper Tiber Valley, in the Fabbrica Moderna, Piazza Marx

12th April – Pietralunga holds its traditional egg festival “Tocciata” in the main piazza from 11am.

12th April - Piazza Garibaldi, Assisi, Giant Easter Egg exhibition, showing the talents of the local school children.

18th – 26th April – Settimana Della Cultura/ Seven Days of Culture – Perugia. A week of events, guided tours, activities and exhibitions throughout Perugia. Celebrating its cultural heritage and encouraging the public to participate in discovering their own talents. For more information: www.beniculturali.it

19th April – Antiques Market – Citta di Castello

25th April – Descending the Tiber 2009, now celebrates the 30th anniversary of this event where canoeists row from Citta di Castello to Rome. www.discesadeltevere.org

25th April – Flag Waving and Bell Ringing Festival – Gubbio, Piazza Grande, 11.30am

26th April – Walk in the Woods – an organised ramble through the lovely Montone countryside to the Castle Carpini. Starts at 12.30 in the Piazza Fortebraccio, Montone.

Festivals for March in Umbria

2009-02-26T16:56:00.002+01:00

Photo by Umbriart

1st Gubbio – Childrens Festival
7th Umber tide - Daltonico Studio, Live Music “Arezzo Wave Bands 2009”
10th C di C - Teatro Comunale, Prose recital “Lezioni Americane” by Italo Calvino
14th Umber tide - Daltonico Studio, Live Music Omar Pedrini in Concert - “Timoria”
15th C. di C - Piazza Matteotti , Antique and Retro Market
14-15th C di C - Ponte sul Tevere, Canoe competition
22nd Gubbio – Groupo dei Verdi, Market, fresh local produce
28th C di C - Teatre Comunale, Franz Leahr poetry recital “La Vedova Allergra”
29th C di C - Scuola di Musica, Jazz Trio - S Zanchini, M. Gerboni, G. Farina.
29th Umber tide - Teatro dei Riuniti, “Il Popolo non ha il Pane”

Italians to snub ST Valentine's day

2009-02-14T09:45:00.001+01:00

More than half of Italians expecting a gift from their lovers on Valentine's Day this weekend are in for a disappointment, the Coldiretti farmers' group said Thursday.
Some 52% of people in a poll by the union said they had no intention of digging into their pockets for a romantic present this year - an increase of 7% on Valentine rubbishers in 2008.
The economic crisis will also take its toll on lovers planning to shell out this year, with more people opting for cheaper gifts like flowers (25%) and clothes (11%), Coldiretti said.
Around 9% of Italians said they would buy chocolates or sweets - a 5% drop on 2008 figures, while just 3% were planning to buy jewellery - down 6% on last year.

But the group said florists expected to sell 20 million flowers this year, including 14 million roses, at a cost of 75 million euros.
Another farmers' group, CIA, said around 50% of under-18s would not buy presents this year, but 35% of these would say 'I love you' by SMS or email.

The president of consumer rights group Codacons, Carlo Rienzi, meanwhile started an official campaign to ''cancel St Valentine's from the calendar as a form of protest, not against those in love, but against a pointless recurrence of unrestrained consumerism''.
''Let's be honest, St Valentine's Day gets on everyone's nerves - both for singles, who feel alone and a bit sad, and for those in couples, who feel obliged to give something because of social convention,'' Rienzi said on his website, www.carlorienzi.it.

''People who are really in love should not feel pressured by this symbol of consumerism but should celebrate their love every day,'' he added.
Consumer rights association Adoc confirmed that lovers will also be saving their pennies on Valentine's meals, with 65% deciding to stay home and cook rather than go to a restaurant.
Among the most popular dishes people planned to prepare on Saturday were polenta with creamed cheese, 'trofie' pasta with flowers and pesto and buffalo mozzarella with tomato mousse, followed up by chili-pepper-flavoured chocolate, strawberries or spumante.

Not everyone was shying away from grand romantic gestures, however.
A Genoa bus driver has forked out 400 euros for advertising space on three city buses, one of which he drives, and which now bear the message ''Federica, I live for you only'' as a Valentine's present to his wife.
''It was simply a way of showing my love and affection for my wife. We've been married for 12 years and I love her to distraction,'' the doting driver said.

Consumer moans are also unlikely to stop lovers from turning out in droves at St Valentine's birthplace at Terni in Umbria.
Each year couples swear undying passion in the cathedral that houses the saint's head.
Couples also flock each year to the small Sardinian town of Sadali near Nuoro to ask the saint to look kindly on them and bless engagements.

The ritual has been going on for centuries in the town's 15th-century church, only the second in Italy to be devoted to St Valentine.
In local dialect the saint is affectionately known as Su Coiadori (''he who betrothes'') and many of the couples expect their pilgrimage to bless their marriage (''coias'' in dialect).
As well as saintly enterprises, Italy boasts other romantic rites for St Valentine's Day.
The small southern town of Vico del Gargano, for instance, has a 300-year-old tradition of garlanding a lovers' lane.

http://www.italymag.co.uk

Published on Fri, 02/13/2009 - 08:56 Life & Style

Festa-bruary

2009-01-30T11:17:00.001+01:00

Middle of Winter but there are still a
number of plays and live music
concerts around the area, the biggest
event has to be the Carnivale in Piazza
where the children of the area get to
dress up and parade around the town.

1st - Tuoro, Teatro Comuniale, Silent Movies of Buster Keaton
7th – C.di C, Il Fondino “Rockin Opposition”, music and poems by Facopo Falchi
15th – Piazza Metteotti, Antique Market
15th - Umbertide, Teatro dei Riuniti, Production “Era una notte calda d’inverno”
17th – C.di C, Teatro Comuniale, Production of “Viaggiatori di pianura Acque mobile”
22nd - C. di C. Festa di Carnevale, lots of fun for the kids.
22nd - C. di C. Teatro Comuniale, Production of “Clash to me”
22nd – Gubbio Monthly market of locally produced, ecological goods.
27th - C. di C. Teatro Comuniale, Production of “U ciclopu” directed by V. Pirrotta.

Exhibitions throughout the Upper Tiber Valley

Alfredo Santarelli 1874 – 1957, Ceramicist, C. di S. Francesco, Gualdo Tadino.

Shaken Not Stirred

2009-01-25T12:38:00.001+01:00

For anyone who has seen the opening sequences of the latest James Bond film, “Quantum of Solace” you will have witnessed the exciting spectacle of the “Palio di Siena”. The race is run twice a year in the Tuscan town, on the 2nd July and 16th August and has been a feature of the “Piazza del Campo” since it was first organised in 1656 to honour the apparition of the Virgin Mary nearby.

Siena is divided into sixteen Contradas or districts that all compete for the prized Palio, a beautifully designed banner awarded to the winner. Each Contradas has its own coat of arms, emblems, colours, patron saint and supporters; which include the she wolf, porcupine, the forest, the snail and the tortoise and attracts passionate followers.

The event itself consists of four days of celebrations, medieval costumed precessions and displays, culminating in flag throwing exhibitions, parade of the jockeys, a cavalry charge by the mounted Carabinieri and then the race itself. Siena ’s piazza is turned into a racecourse, the floor covered with earth, protective bleachers erected and stands put up for the 33,000 spectators. Many more are crammed into every available window, roof and balcony to witness the event.

The race is a chaotic; bare-backed three laps of the course with the winner taking all, surprisingly enough it is not the last person to cross the line who is considered the looser but the second placed rider. Visitors will get to see a celebration that stretches back centuries and in these modern days of corporate sponsorship and big business the Palio di Siena still maintains a medieval feel at its core.

If you are coming over to Italy for the Palio, why not check out our medieval monastry offering excellent accommodation and within easy reach of Siena. www.lapreghiera.com

Espresso to go!

2009-01-20T11:35:00.001+01:00

Good news for ecco-friendly Italians, if you want to be green in Italy’s green heartland it could soon be possible with the help of the humble coffee bean. Where the Italian breakfast, normally consists of a small, strong coffee, you will soon be able to drive to work on an espresso too.

Scientists at the University of Nevada in Reno have created biodiesel by processing the ground coffee beans left over from making all those lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The remains from the coffee making process when put through a simple extraction unit released up to 20% oil. This compared favourably with other biofuel producing crops like rape seed, soybeans and palm oil.

If was found to be an easy and cheap process to establish and also generated antioxidants useful in preserving the fuels stability. There will also be an economic benefit, as the coffee leftovers are just thrown into landfill sites, however once the oil has been extracted it is possible to produce fuel pellets and compost, so nothing is wasted.

Here in Italy with such a high consumption of coffee, and even the smallest village having a café bar, the raw material should be in plentiful supply. So soon we could be pulling up at an Umbrian bar for a cappuccino and an espresso to go for the car.

Hotel Heaven

2009-01-20T10:58:00.001+01:00

A recent German, scientific study into people's experience of hotel rooms has revealed some interesting theories. The Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering created a virtual hotel room with the aim of showing the hotel industry a variety of innovations and gadgets which could enhance the customer's experience.

They recommend curved walls as straight lines leave guests feeling depressed; this is extended to the furniture which is also rounded. It features an energy bed which vibrates, directional floor lighting and coloured mood lamps, as well as a jacuzzi with a mirror that can link to your emails as you soak.

Some 700 years ago when the Brothers of the Olive established La Preghiera as a monastery their idea of luxury was a well giving them clean water and an oven to make fresh bread. When it was recently renovated and turned into a hotel, under floor heating, a swimming pool and internet access increased the luxury experience. Luckily a building of this age has few walls which run straight and true and the ever changing Umbrian sunlight gives it natural mood lighting.

Will the Fraunhofer Institutes centrally linked computer, information system lead to the end of the beautifully produced, colourful brochures, leaflets and hand written notes detailing tonight's menu specials. For all the cool tones, soothing whale music and drink carrying robots they offer, you will have to go a long way to beat the peace and tranquillity offered by the Umbrian, Tuscan countryside. The feeling of life doesn't get much better than this as you relax in the sunshine by the pool or enjoy some of the locally produced cuisine.

Why go futuristic when you can step back in time to another age and easy pace of life at La Preghiera?

Two Pints of Larger and a packet of crisps please!

2009-01-20T10:35:00.002+01:00

We are all aware of cheap flights to the continent. Deals are always to be found for accommodation but what about the day to day cost of your holiday. How much are you likely to rack up buying the kids ice cream, having a few lunchtime beers or taking your other half out for a meal. These are where you can really make a saving when you stay in Italy ’s, Upper Tiber Valley.

We compared the prices for similar activities in the U.K. and Umbria , these included a pizza meal, round of drinks, day trip out on public transport and visiting a tourist attraction.

AND NOW THAT THE POUND HAS DROPPED SO FAR, THE FOLLOWING PRICES ARE IN WHICHEVER CURRENCY YOU PREFER

	UK	Italy
Pizza, chips and a drink (Pizza Hut)	13	6.5
3 Course Meal (for 2)	40 (minimum)	33(max, with wine)
Train journey ( Cardiff – Bristol )	12.40	3.30 (same distance)
5 mile taxi trip	20	18
Ice Cream	3	1.80
Museum entry (V&A/ Pinacoteca)	9	3.70
Chinese Take Away (for 4)	35	28
Cappuccino	2.50	0.90
Sticky bun	2.50	1
Theme Park ( Alton Towers / Mirabillandia)	99	45
Car Hire (VW Golf - Avis for 4 days)	158	165

So you can still get more for your pound when you come to Umbria on holiday. With lots of attractions, activities and historical sites to visit, gorgeous food to sample and delicious ice cream and cakes to eat you are guaranteed to have a lovely time.

There are many excellent family run restaurants and the market town of Citta di Castello boasts establishments providing Chinese and Mexican cuisine. Public transport is a fraction of the cost with the journey between Umbertide and Perugia costing only £3.30 and bus fares into Citta di Castello from its outlying regions a snip at only £1.10.

If as part of your holiday you would like to visit a theme park, “Mirabillandi” is good value for money. If you buy a pass for one day, the second day is free. For the culture vultures amongst you the entrance fee for Pinacoteca in Citta di Castello also gives you access to the Burri and Cathedral Museums for free.

The main consideration for a holiday has to be the weather and in Umbria you can, usually, be sure of clear blue skies and warm sunny days between Mid June to September. What price could you put on not having rain to contend with?

Why not leave behind the dreary, grey skies and rain and visit us in the heart of Italy ? You could pop to Florence for the day on a train and visit other wonderful sites in the nearby Tuscany region.

WALKING WITH THE SAINTS

2009-01-09T13:35:00.000+01:00

While Tuscany can boast creating the Renaissance, with figures like Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Dante, Umbria is known as “terre di santi” or the land of the Saints. This quiet, landlocked and largely undiscovered corner of Italy lays claim to some of the big hitters within the Christian faith. San Francesco (Saint Francis), Santa Chiara (Saint Clare) and San Benedict all come from this region.

If you are looking to go on a religious retreat, re-new your faith or just spend time unwinding from the rigours of the modern life Umbria will provide a tranquil rest place. There is no need for all the bells, smells and 40 days fasting in a cave, just a quiet peaceful time discovering the simple joys these people of God found.

Why not stay at the Monastery, the Brothers of the Mount of Olives – La Preghiera, this reconstructed building can trace its roots back 1000 years and evidence indicates that it has been a site of religious activity for even longer. Situated in the Seano Valley on the Francescian trail from Cortona it provides an excellent base to discover the places frequented by the Saints.

San Francesco

Born Giovanni in Assisi 1181 – Died Assisi 1226. The son of a wealthy cloth merchant and soldier. He was captured during a battle with Perugian forces and spent a year imprisoned there. Here he had his first thoughts about living a more simplistic life.

Whilst preaching at the Church of Saint Giorgio, Assisi he decided to renounce his wealth and possessions in the main piazza and left to establish his first church by re-building the ruined Porziuncola chapel. This can still be seen as part of the Basilica Santa Maria Degli Angeli, Assisi. The St Francesco Church in Gubbio was built on the site of the merchant Spadalungo’s house, he was a good friend of St Francis and where he initially went after renouncing his worldly possessions in Assisi.

During his time here he would often walk into the hills and woods of the surrounding Mount Subasio and established a hermitage at Eremo della Carceri where he and fellow brothers would retreat to pray.

Whilst travelling back to Assisi he became ill and recuperated in the second Franciscan Monastery just outside the town walls of Norcia. This small complex and the Giardino della Aqua can still be visited today.

In December 1223, Francis performed the first living Nativity at Christmas in a grotto in Greccio, nearly 800 years later this practice is still carried out with up to 70 locals dressed in period costume and featuring live animals as well.

In the following year 1224 he spent 40 days fasting in the hills of Tuscany at La Verna on route to Arezzo. The collection of stone built huts amongst the rocky outcrops is still a popular attraction.

At the end of his life, he fell ill in Cortona, Tuscany. In an attempt to avoid Perugian troops who wanted to take him there to die, he travelled through the mountains so as to end his days in Assisi. Part of this journey is re-enacted annually in the Cavalcata di Santriano, stopping at Rocca Postignano, the Chaple of Santriano and crossing the Ponte Marchetto on their way to Assisi.

Santa Chiara

Chiara was born in Assisi 1194 and died in 1254, born into a wealthy noble family. At the age of nineteen upon hearing the preaching’s of Saint Francis in Assisi she begged him to let her join. Initially she was placed in the Benedictine Abbey at St Paolo, Bastia and later moved to St Angelo, in Panzo. She was the founder and lifelong Abbess of the Poor Clare’s based in the St Domiano Abbey, Assisi and stayed there for the rest of her life.

Santa Agnese

1197 – 1253, Saint Agnes was the younger sister of Chiara and along with another sister, their mother and an aunty they helped firmly establish the Poor Clare’s missions. She founded the Abbey at Monticelli, near Florence and a number of other monasteries in Nothern Italy. She is buried in the Basilica Santa Chiara, Assisi with her sister.

San Benedict

Born Nurcia 480 – died 543, after studying in Rome he decided to travel and after talking to a hermit he met along the way went into the hills around Enfide, Subiaco where he spent the next three years living in a cave above a lake on the river Anio. In the surrounding hills and valleys he established twelve monasteries, he also established the rules by which all Benedictine monks still live by today. Santa Scolsatica, Benedict’s twin sister also came from Nurcia.

San Ubald Baldasini

1084 – 1160, born into nobility in Gubbio, is credited with turning back Frederick Barbarossa from sacking the town in 1155. Every year on 16th May, his Feast Day, the Corsa dei Ceri is held in Gubbio. The race has three giant candles, representing San Ubald, San Giorgio and San Antonio and the whole town is taken over for the festival.

Santa Rita

Corcia, Rocca Porena 1386 – 1456. Married by her elderly parents at the age of 12 to a drunk, violent man and bore him two sons. When this abusive man died and her sons were killed subsequently trying to take revenge she decided to become a nun. However being a widow, this was forbidden. Not to be discouraged she persisted until eventually the Augustian Convent of Corcia accepted her. She is acknowledged as the patron saint of lost causes. San Valentine Not much is known of him, other than he is one of three Saints with the same name, all associated with the 14th February. He was the Bishop of Intreamna, modern day Terni.

San Ercolano

Died in 549 AD in Perugia. Flayed to death after trying to negotiate a truce with King Totila of the Ostrogoths who was attacking the city. Ironically Perugia is the city where some years later the Flagellists began their practice of whipping themselves to atone for their sins.

San Constantius

Died 170 AD, martyred in Foligno, buried in Perugia.

San Issac

Issac was born in Syria but fled persecution to Italy at around 550 AD. While praying in one of the cities Churches he was driven out by a sacristan who subsequently became possessed by a demon which Issac drove out. After this he moved to live the life of a hermit on Mount Luco where he led a group of similar minded hermits in prayer.

Sources - http://www.catholic.org/
http://www.wikipedia.com/
http://www.camminodifrancesco.it/

La Befana

2009-01-06T13:06:00.000+01:00

La Befana - Epiphany - 6th January

La Befana is a kindly, old, witch from whom the Three Wise men asked directions. Sadly she was not able to help but they asked her if she would like to join them in searching for the new born infant. Initially she declined but later decided it would be a good idea to join them and set off in search of the Kings and the baby Jesus. Unfortunately she got lost and never arrived, now she wonders the world handing out sweets and presents to children at Christmas in the hope of finding Jesus.

All over Italy, La Bafana is celebrated on the 6th January if you have been good she will give you a colourful stocking full of sweets but woe betide naughty children as theirs is filled with “Il carbone”, a candy made from black sugar and resembles lumps of coal. This year in the Upper Tiber Valley, she can be seen in the Piazza’s of Monte S.M. Tiberina, Montone and Umbertide while in Citta di Castello she will abseil down the Torre Civica.

New Year Festa’s around the Upper Tiber Valley

2009-01-01T13:06:00.000+01:00

Until 6th Jan Duomo, C. di Castello, 9th Annual Exhibition of Nativity cribs.
Featuring over 50 scenes from Italy and Latin America.
Until 6th Jan Church St Apollinare, C. di Castello – Presepi di Sabbia, an sculptural exhibition made in sand by the artist Leonardo Ugolini. Entrance €2.
Until 6th Jan Miniture Workshops, Logge Bufalini C.di Castello – 800 crib figures from all over the world.
1st Jan Umbertide, Museum S. Croce – New Year Concert, music by Strauss and Rossini performed by the Hubay Ensemble
1st – 6th Jan Volteranno – Living Nativity
3rd Jan C. di Castello centre – Pasquella, travelling group of singers recite traditional Christmas songs.
4th Jan Celalba, S. Guistino – Festival of Bethlehem, featuring a live nativity.
5th Jan Church St M. Assunta, Corciano – Delta Gospel Singers, part of the Trasimeno Soul Christmas.
6th Jan Teatro Accademia, Tuoro – Trasimeno Gospel Choir, conclusion of the Tresimeno Soul Christmas celebrations.
6th Jan C.di Castello, Torre Civica – Befana descends from the tower to distribute sweets to the children.
6th Jan Montone – Arrival of The Befana in P. Fortebraccio.
6th Jan Lerchi - Festival of Befana with lots of gifts for the children.
6th Jan C.di Castello, Church of S. Francesco - Epiphany Concert, recital of works by Handel and Haydn.
18th Jan P. Matteotti – Antiques market
20th Jan C.di Castello, Church Buon Consiglio – Costumed story telling of the life of Saint Sebastian.
22nd Jan C.di Castello, Teatro Comunale – “Zago Zago” production by S. Alleva.29th Jan Umbertide, Teatro Riuniti – “Les Bonnes” production by G. Marini

Father Christmas in a Canoe

2008-12-25T13:05:00.000+01:00

For one of the more stranger events of over the Christmas period, Babbo Natale in a canoe has got to be a sight worth seeing. Over the last 25 years the “Canoe Club” of Citta di Castello in Umbria has staged this popular spectacle on water to the assembled crowds.

As evening approaches on Christmas Day, members of the club, dressed as Santa Clause paddle down the River Tiber towards the Porta San Florido. All of their canoes are illuminated, the banks of the river are lit with bonfires, candles and fireworks and a nativity scene is suspended over the water. On arriving at the Ponte sulla Tevere, the Santas distribute their presents to the eagerly awaiting children.

Queens speech at 3pm, Father Christmas in a canoe at 5pm and then home to a James Bond film. Now that’s Christmas!

The Best Italian Cristmas Food

2008-12-16T19:07:00.000+01:00

Words by Carla Passino

The red spicy kick of a Calabrese soppressata, golden panzerotti oozing with Apulian mozzarella, rosemary scented lamb with crispy roast potatoes, rich, buttery panettone—Italian Christmas food is as varied as it gets. Every region, every province, every village has its own specialities for both Cena della Vigilia (Christmas Eve’s supper) and Pranzo di Natale (Christmas lunch).
Seafood—especially fried or boiled stockfish and capitone, a type of eel, stewed in tomato sauce—is common on Christmas Eve, but not everywhere. And the Christmas lunch fowl of many Northern and Central regions—capon in Piedmont and Lombardy, guinea fowl and duck in Umbria/Tuscany—gives way to roast lamb (or, occasionally kid) in Lazio, the islands and some parts of the South.
Even panettone, which is originally from Milan but has now become Italy’s one national Christmas staple, is usually accompanied by local cakes, pastries and puddings—rich, raisin-studded gubana in Friuli Venezia Giulia, crunchy, rose-shaped carteddate in Apulia, honey-coated struffoli in Campania—as well as nuts, chocolates and torrone.
A lifetime would not be enough to try all the regional Christmas food worth savouring. If you are not a stickler for authenticity, however, you can concoct a marvellous Italian Christmas lunch by putting together some of the best recipes from each region.

Five Stories of Italian Cakes

2008-12-16T13:13:00.000+01:00

Italy has an excellent collection of sumptuous cakes that come onto the shelves in the local shops around Christmas but where did they originate from and what do their names mean.

Cavallucci
Since the 16th Century, the people around Siena have been making small sticky, chewy scones containing walnuts, honey, candied fruit and aniseed. Originally these Tuscan doughy cookies were made for the stable boys hence their name cavallucci, which means "little horses"

Panforte
Panforte is another Tuscan cake made with almonds, spices, honey and candied fruit. There are two stories about its discovery, an orphan who visited the baby Jesus had nothing to offer the infant, save a dried crust of bread from his pocket. Joseph gave a crumb to one of the birds nesting in the roof and returned the rest to the boy , thanking him. The orphan left feeling upset that his gift was to poor an offering but on his return home he found his mother dressed in elegant clothes and his father in a bright shiny suit of armour. On the kitchen table was a feast, the centre piece being a cake made with almonds, honey and spices.

The second tale from the 13th century is that a nun called Sister Leta found that rodents had eaten through the bags that the sugar, spice and almonds were kept in. The ingredients had all been mixed up in the cupboard and moving a black cat out of the way she suddenly thought "why not just mix them all together in a pan" so not wishing to waste them decided to create something from the mixture.

Once it was ready the cat purring, turned to her and said "go on then, try it". Well Sister Leta realising that cats can’t talk so this must be the devil throw the contents of the saucepan over the cat and promptly banished the demon back to hell. Upon hearing all the commotion Sister Berta mother Superior came running into the kitchen and listened to the tale, curious as to what heavenly concoction could overcome the Devil she tasted it and that is how panforte came into being.

Torrone
Another Christmas cake, containing honey, almonds, eggs with an interesting story is the Torrone. It was first created on October 25th 1441 for the wedding of Bianca Maria Visconti and Francesco Sfroza in Cremona. It was made by the cites pastry chefs for the wedding and was in the shape of the city’s tower the "Torione" which at that time dominated the skyline. As guests for this occasion came from all over Europe this sweet soon became popular throughout the continent.

Panettone
This Milanese cake famous throughout Italy at Christmas was first made, legend has it back in the 15th century. A nobleman, falconer Ughetto Atellani who fell in love with the daughter of a poor baker called Toni. He decided to disguise himself as a baker and made a rich, sweet cake containing nuts, candied peel, raisins in order to win her hand. The Duke of Milan, Ludovico il Moro Sforza agreed to the mariage and at which Leonardo da Vinci was present the cake Panettoni ( Toni’s bread) was introduced.

Pandoro
Pandoro or Golden Bread has a long history, its existence documented as far back as the first century, and Pliny the Elder is known to have liked it. Popular with rich aristocrats in the middle ages due to the expensive ingredients of spices, nuts and honey or sugar and served in palaces throughout the land. The modern version is credited with being perfected in Verona where it was near to the spice markets of Venice.

Immaculate Conception: Start Of Christmas Season In Italy

2008-12-15T17:19:00.000+01:00

Words by Michelle Fabio

Although in other countries, you might begin to hear Christmas carols at the end of November, in Italy, holiday celebrations begin on 8 December with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary or L'Immacolata Concezione della Beata Vergine Maria.

The feast's origins may stretch back thousands of years, but the day was set in the Catholic calendar by 1476 by Pope Sixtus IV. The doctrine behind it wasn't officially adopted until 8 December, 1854, when in the Constitution Ineffabilis Deus, Pope Pius IX pronounced that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."

That is, according to Catholic doctrine, the Virgin Mary was born free of the original sin that has afflicted humankind ever since the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden.

The day is marked with beautiful, elaborate, and emotionally charged processions throughout Italy. Moreover, as 8 December is a public holiday with most people off from work, it is also the day when many Italians put up Christmas trees and other holiday decorations.

http://www.italymag.co.uk

Caravaggio Created Firefly ''Photos''

2008-12-15T17:07:00.000+01:00

Caravaggio's reputation for revolutionary artistic genius has received a further boost following the discovery he may have used fireflies to create primitive ''photographs''.

Roberta Lapucci, conservation chief at the Florence-based SACI institute, believes the baroque artist created a firefly powder as an essential tool after converting his entire studio into a kind of camera obscura.

Writing in the monthly art journal Stile Arte, Lapucci reports Caravaggio filtered light through a purpose-made hole in his ceiling, using a biconvex lens and a concave mirror to reflect the image he planned to paint directly onto the canvas.

The use of a camera obscura to sketch the subject was not a new technique among artists, having gained prominence thanks to Leonardo da Vinci's writings.

The device works by projecting reverse images of outside objects onto the flat wall of a closed box through a lens in an aperture. By attaching a mirror to the apparatus, artists were able to trace the exact dimensions of the image onto a piece of paper.

Caravaggio spent months refining his technique, adjusting the light and the size of the models. However, by turning his entire room into a camera obscura, Caravaggio found himself working in the dark.

Lapucci believes this led him to create his own version of a distilled and dried firefly powder, first written about by the natural philosopher Giovan Battista della Porta in his 1558 work Magiae Naturalis.

Analysing the content of Caravaggio's paintings, Lapucci discovered traces of photosensitive substances that react to light.

She believes the master used a compound of white lead and firefly powder that allowed him to work in the dark, producing an outline on the canvas of the camera obscura image.

This produced a short-lived, fluorescent image, similar to a photograph, which he was then able to convert into a permanent sketch that formed the basis of the eventual painting.

The many techniques pioneered by Caravaggio (1573-1610) have confirmed his reputation as one of the most revolutionary artist of his time, although he is probably best known for his mastery of chiaroscuro lighting.

He abandoned the Renaissance focus on the human body and spiritual experiences for more realistic and dramatic atmospheres, mixing street characters with religious subjects.

http://www.italymag.co.uk