SUSPENDED IN AN ETERNAL MIDDLE AGE
BEVAGNA
Bevagna gained popularity all over Italy for its reenactment of a medieval market.
35,2 km
FROM PERUGIA
177,6 km
FROM ROMA FIUMICINO
533,0 km
FROM MILANO MALPENSA
Stories of sacred waters and ancient stones
Elected Borgo dei Borghi in 2008, Bevagna has risen to national prominence for the authentic reconstruction of a medieval market, the Mercato delle Gaite, which takes place in mid-June. All the inhabitants wear medieval garb, games of falconry are organized and you can taste dishes of the ancient Umbrian tradition in the many taverns of the village. Thanks to this unique event, you will learn all about the secrets of paper making from fabric rags, the magic of sericulture - the process of raising silkworms to produce silk and the ancient art of candle making from beeswax, along with the techniques of many other medieval crafts.
You will be struck by Bevagna's unusual, irregularly-shaped main square flanked by two Romanesque churches and its delightful theater. Not far from Bevagna, in an area called Piandarca, one of the most significant and humble episodes of St. Francis took place: the Sermon to the Birds.
What to see (2/2,5 h)
Church of St. Francis
and the Stone where the Saint stood while delivering the Sermon to the birds.
Silvestri Square
with the 12th Century churches of St. Silvestro and St. Michele, two authentic jewels of Romanesque art.
Still functioning medieval paper mill
Medieval Walls and washhouse called Accolta on Clitumnus river
District of the Roman theater
Roman mosaic of the thermal baths
with intriguing marine figures.
Torti Theater
small jewel of the late 1800s housed in the civic Palace of the Consuls.
Gourmet Corner
To delight your palate, I suggest some typical restaurants, well-protected by the walls of the many castles, that formed the defensive system of Bevagna.
If you'd like to combine art with wine you can taste the typical nectar of these lands at a stunning futuristic cellar/museum, designed by the contemporary artist Arnaldo Pomodoro, located in a magnificent setting.
Do not miss a romantic horse carriage ride escorted by geese wandering among the vineyards at a nearby ecodynamic winery.
FROM THE BLOG
Special Tours
ON THE PATH OF BACCHUS. WINE TASTING AND VISIT TO THE MOST IMPORTANT WINERIES OF UMBRIA.
In our beautiful region we produce two red DOCG (this is the highest quality level) wines and nine DOC wines, most of which are white. If you are curious to know the story behind each of them, we can visit the most prestigious wineries, where you will taste the precious nectar paired with tasty local delicacies – unforgettable wine and food experience.
WHERE WHEAT BECOMES BREAD.
As a tribute to my father who was a miller, I have the pleasure of escorting you to a mill where you can learn about the entire production chain of wheat. At the end of the visit you will taste a very high quality bread like the one made by our ancestors and many other delicacies.
A DAY IN A MEDIEVAL MARKET. THE CIRCUIT OF THE MEDIEVAL CRAFTS OF BEVAGNA.
Recommended for children.
Bevagna has risen to the national limelight for its Market of the Gaite, today considered among the most important historical festivals in Umbria. The term "gaita" derived from the Longobard language and indicated the four districts of Bevagna. After exhaustive research of the town statutes, in 1983, the historical reconstruction of a medieval market was documented and recreated once a year. For ten days in mid-June, Bevagna time warps back to the authentic settings of the Middle Ages, the ancient shops and workshops open to display and demonstrate the medieval crafts and mestieri. The streets are populated by the locals donning medieval garb. You will relive the exciting experience in a magical medieval atmosphere as you visit the various fascinating workshops: the paper mill, the candle making and the silk making and the silk making.
OSCARWORTHY OIL MILLS. FROM THE “SEA” OF UMBRIA , AN EXCELLENT EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL.
Emerald green hued, intense and fruity, Umbrian olive oil with its pleasant bitter and slightly spicy taste is considered among the best Extra Virgin olive oils not only in Italy, but also in the world. Let’s join this tour to learn the secrets about the production of our “green gold” and its infinite health benefits. Don’t miss this worthwhile experience to taste a top quality extra virgin olive oil directly in the mill where it is produced.
FARMER CHEF.
An internationally acclaimed chef will introduce you through the flavors of Umbria. Under the guide of this eccentric chef you can try typical recipes of the Umbrian culinary tradition, using ingredients coming directly from his garden; everything will be seasoned by his irony and overflowing charm.
TOUR WITH A PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHER.
If you would like to be immortalized in the places you visit and make your memories unforgettable, you can live a unique experience with an expert photographer at your entire disposal. You can take home digital photos or have an actual album delivered to your home.
VISIT TO A FARM AND CHEESE TASTING.
Recommended for children.
If you are curious to learn about the art of cheesemaking and love the pleasant country life, this farm is a unique and fun experience.Goat cheese production is becoming increasingly popular in Umbria, thanks in part to the love of this farmer for his 300 goats. Children will have fun. They will delight watching the goats trotting when the goatherd calls them.About a dozen varieties of goat cheeses will tantalize your palate and you won’t resist their wines.
COOKING IN A CELLAR.
In the famous Sagrantino area you will enter a professional cooking school inside a prestigious winery, where you will enjoy cooking and learn how to best pair the wine with food.
CLITUMNUS SPRINGS
Recommended for children.
This bucolic naturalistic and botanical park, located along the Roman Flaminian Way, is home to an array of swans, ducks and other aquatic birds, guardians of the Springs of Clitumnus. The underground spring waters form a mirror of water with colors ranging from turquoise to emerald green and from yellow to blue. In antiquity its sacred waters were navigable and many emperors came often, sailing up on the Tiber from Rome to ask god Clitumnus for his oracles. This silent, peaceful place inspired many famous historians and poets such as Pliny the Younger, Virgil, Byron and Giosuè Carducci, who dedicated a famous ode to these Springs. Nearby is the Clitumnus Temple, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.