TALES OF A TOWN

Meet your driver at your accommodation and set off for the lovely town of Bevagna to enjoy a private guided tour. Situated in the fertile Foligno plain, close by the River Timia, Bevagna boasts a beautifully preserved medieval historic centre dotted with handsome palazzi and churches. Originally an Etruscan settlement, the town was later conquered by the Romans and evidence of their influence can still be perceived today. Columns and brickwork of a 2nd century AD temple have been incorporated into the walls of the Church of the Madonna della Neve, while the outline of a 1st century AD Roman theatre is still discernible in the shape of a complex of houses, whose layout retraces the oval form of foundations and masonry from an earlier age.

Bevagna’s fortunes waxed in the Middle Ages when a flourishing economy, supported by a thriving crafts scene, led to the creation of the buildings we can admire today. The original architecture and town walls have survived over the centuries offering visitors the chance to turn back the wheels of time and relive the olden days of lords and dames.

Make your way through the picturesque alleys of Bevagna and reach the small but delightful Piazza Silvestri, the heart of the town’s religious and political life for over seven hundred years. Here you will admire the Gothic-style Palazzo dei Consoli and three churches dedicated to San Michele, San Silvestro and San Domenico that together make up one of the finest corners of Umbria. A bit further north up the main street look out for the 13th century Church of San Francesco, built on the site of a long lost Roman temple. Inside you can admire 16th century frescoes and the stone on which Saint Francis is believed to have stood as he preached to the birds.

Those lucky enough to visit Umbria in late June will have the opportunity to experience Bevagna in full medieval garb. Every year, for ten days, during the Mercato delle Gaite folkloristic event, the citizens work together to set up a historic re-enactment of 12th and 13th century lifestyles, transforming the town’s streets and squares into an open air stage. As you saunter through the alleys strewn with hay and decked with colourful workshops and food stands, you’ll encounter locals dressed in period costumes, enthusiastically reviving ancient trades such as silk spinning, candle making, pottery and metal working.

Bevagna is also famous for belonging to the production area of DOCG designated Sagrantino wines. After some free time for lunch you will pay a visit to one of the region’s most highly esteemed estates, known not only for its exquisite wines but also for the architectural virtuosity of its bizarre-shaped cantina. Sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro designed the structure which resembles a tortoise shell, symbol of longevity and patience, that emerges at the top of a slope planted with native Sagrantino di Montefalco grapes. The property belongs to a prestigious family from Trento, now on the third generation of wine makers, who fell in love with Umbria’s landscapes and flavours and set itself the goal of promoting the region’s reputation for excellence worldwide. Here, on a guided tour of the premises led by a qualified member of staff, guests will get to know about wine making and ageing techniques and discover the unique characteristics of the terroir and climate that make wines produced here so complex and powerful. Top off your day with a tasting of the estate’s wines before returning to your accommodation.