FLOWERS
Yesterday we spent most of the day in Spello, a short drive from Perugia. Spello is an old Etruscan town and one known for its annual religious flower festival, Infiorate di Spello, around Easter. There are many window boxes on buildings and walls, and folks collect and dry the blossoms to be used for creating what is a flower carpet. It is a true work of art with a different theme every year and incorporates flower petals of a range of colors.
The carpet extends down the middle of the street. Priests are allowed to walk on it, photographers snap shots, and people line up on both sides of the street.
AQUEDUCT
Our day was a delight and we were again with our “regular” guide Werner. He is a most versatile fellow with a keen eye for art and full of facts about the frescoes in the several churches we visited. We began with a walk along the Roman Aqueduct trail on the edge of Spello. We saw remains of the aqueduct and admired lovely olive trees with their small fruits. It was a quiet morning and the countryside peaceful—-only one couple and no cars.
Before a long and delicious lunch, we wandered down the streets of Spello. Our guide wisely suggested the driver leave us at the top of the town to save us navigating the steep inclines. It was still early enough that there were more cars on the streets than pedestrians. Some alleyways had hooks left from when chains were pulled across to prevent horses from going down the alley. Narrow passage ways often had an enclosed arch at the top.
FRESCOES
In one of the churches, we viewed some stunning frescoes by Bernardino de Betto, known as Pinturicchio, a painter during the Umbrian Renaissance. Note the depth of colors and the details.
INDULGENT LUNCH
Lunch was at a wine cellar cum restaurant called Enoteca Properzio. We had a set menu and tasted four different local wines ranging from a robust white to a merlot/cabernet super Tuscan, an amorone, and then a red sagrantino dessert wine.
First was a plate with a tomato bruschetta and two slices of bread with different olive oils on them. The bruschetta was especially good!
Then came homemade tagliolini with black truffles (yum!), followed by meatballs in tomato sauce and a small dish of salad greens, and finally some almond and chocolate biscotti.
It was a feast of local flavors and tastes, and we enjoyed it all!
Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)
