The Story of Saint Costanzo

Il 29 gennaio si festeggia San Costanzo, primo Vescovo e di Perugia e uno dei patroni del capoluogo umbro insieme a San Lorenzo e Sant’Ercolano. La storia della vita di San Costanzo e ciò che ne aleggia intorno è ricco di meraviglia, stupore, fede e misticismo con un pizzico di romanticismo e di dolcezze. Vediamo perché.

On January 29th, Saint Costanzo is celebrated, the first Bishop of Perugia, and one of the patrons of the Umbrian capital, along with Saint Lorenzo and Saint Ercolano. The story of the life of Saint Costanzo and what surrounds it is rich in wonder, amazement, faith, and mysticism, with a touch of romanticism and sweetness. Let’s see why.

 

Saint Costanzo, the Martyr

In “Mille Santi del Giorno” by Piero Bargellini, a collection of stories about the lives of saints, the description of Costanzo can be traced back to around the 2nd century AD. He was a man dedicated to faith, kindness, and generosity towards the poor, with a strong sense of duty to the Christian Church, especially during the persecutions of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

 

It is narrated that Costanzo, under the rule of Marcus Aurelius, was martyred and brutally persecuted: confined in the calidarium (ancient Roman baths) at extremely high temperatures, he miraculously emerged unharmed. He was arrested several times and forced to walk on burning coals, but nothing could shake the faith of Saint Costanzo. Around the year 178, he was arrested again and beheaded in Foligno. His remains were then returned to Perugia, where he found rest in what would later become the first Cathedral of Perugia, outside the gates of San Pietro, now known as the Church of San Costanzo.

 

The Tradition of the Wink

For lovers of romanticism, here’s a legend that during the celebrations of the Saint, the image of San Costanzo can “wink” at unmarried girls (and virgins according to medieval tradition) who present themselves in the Church where the Saint rests, to inquire if they will marry within the year. Of course, it’s a play of lights and shadows that makes the whole thing magical with a hint of love.

 

For young ladies without the foresight of a happy event predicted by the Saint, the boyfriend will give them the typical Perugian sweet, especially associated with the Feast of San Costanzo, the Torcolo.

 

The Torcolo of San Costanzo

The typical sweet of the tradition to celebrate San Costanzo is indeed the Torcolo, behind which many legends and mysteries related to the Saint are hidden, making this sweet still charming and full of history today.

 

It is handed down, in fact, that the torcolo is shaped like a ring to recall the crown of flowers placed on the Saint’s body after decapitation, or that the hole represents the severed head of the Saint, and finally, that its donut shape refers to the crown removed from the head of the Saint once decapitated. This is why a sweet studded with colored candied fruits, in memory of the precious stones of the crown! The five cuts on the donut can be traced back to the entrances to the five districts of the historic center of Perugia: Porta San Pietro, Porta Sole, Porta Eburnea, Porta Susanna, and Porta Sant’Angelo.

 

The Torcolo of San Costanzo, despite its great importance during the celebration on January 29th, is a sweet that is now enjoyed in Umbria throughout the year!

 

Photo Credits

Regione Umbria

Umbria Tourism

Come di Perugia

On the Trail of Don Matteo in Spoleto

Spoleto, a hidden gem nestled among the green Umbrian hills, is a place rich in history, culture, and charm. Besides being an ideal destination for art and gastronomy enthusiasts, Spoleto is famous for the Festival dei Due Mondi and as the city where the popular Italian television series “Don Matteo” is filmed. Let’s explore together the enchanted places in Spoleto that provide the backdrop for the adventures of our beloved detective priest!

Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Palazzo Bufalini The majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, also known as the Duomo di Spoleto, is the iconic location of the series. This masterpiece of Romanesque architecture houses extraordinary works of art and represents one of the holiest places in the city. In the plot of “Don Matteo,” the cathedral serves as the Rectory, the Carabinieri barracks, and the Parlor. Not far away, you can admire Piazza della Signoria, where many scenes of the fiction were shot. Palazzo Bufalini was used for external shots of the Carabinieri barracks.

Basilica of Sant’Eufemia and the Caio Melisso Theater Located inside the Episcopal Palace, built on the foundations of the ancient residence of the Lombard dukes, is the setting that hosts the Church of “Don Matteo.” Nearby is the Caio Melisso Theater, which, for the purposes of the fiction, becomes the prison parlor.

A Journey into the Heart of Spoleto Exploring the locations where the “Don Matteo” series is filmed is a fascinating experience that allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the magic of the show. Spoleto, with its rich history, charming architecture, and mysterious aura, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Umbria.

If you are a fan of the series, there is no better way to experience the adventures of Don Matteo and his faithful friend Cecchini, played by Nino Frassica, than to personally visit these enchanted places. Spoleto will welcome you with open arms, offering not only the beauty of its monuments but also the opportunity to relive the exciting moments you loved on the screen.

So, get ready for a journey into the world of Don Matteo, exploring the same winding alleys and bustling squares that served as the backdrop for his most thrilling investigations. Spoleto awaits you with its secrets and stories to tell, ready to enchant you with its timeless charm.

From Spoleto to Marmore by bike

A three-day proposal in one of the most beautiful areas of Umbria, which combines the beauties of Spoleto and villages such as Sant’Anatolia, Scheggino, Ferentillo and Arrone, with the uncontaminated nature of the Valnerina, before ending in front of the stupendous spectacle of the Marmore waterfall.

The Lace Makers of Irish Lace on Isola Maggiore

In the early 20th century, Marchesa Elena Guglielmi introduced the technique of Irish lace-making to Isola Maggiore in Lake Trasimeno. Inspired by traditions originating in Irish monasteries in the late 19th century and following the ancient art of Venetian lace, the Marchesa’s vision was to bring this artistry to the island.

Unlike traditional lace made with needles and bobbins, this lace is crafted with a crochet hook using an extremely fine thread. The foresight of the Marchesa also led her to bring a teacher from Turin who could pass on the art of lace-making to the first island teacher, Elvira Tosetti. Elvira was entrusted with the foundation and direction of the lace school on the island for young women, daughters of fishermen, who, until then, engaged in various activities during the day without receiving any payment. The school provided them with the opportunity to receive professional training, learning various techniques for creating tablecloths, sheets, clothes, handkerchiefs, gloves, etc. This offered them a certain economic independence (earning about 390 lire in the first year and around 2300 lire in the second year) and the ability to contribute to family expenses.

They could be seen sitting at the doorstep of their homes, engrossed in crocheting and lacework. These young women and their creations soon gained esteem from noblewomen, regular customers of the school. The crafted items were soon exhibited at the permanent market show of Italian Decorative Arts in Perugia, and sample books were sent to Industrie Femminili Italiane in Rome, ultimately being sold throughout Italy and abroad. The Irish lace from Isola Maggiore became famous and highly appreciated, positively contributing to the island’s economy, especially during fishing crises.

Later, in the 1930s, with changes in fashion and influences coming from America, Irish lace fell out of style, leading to the closure of the school. However, the island women continued to work on lace for their personal trousseaus and as an inheritance.

In 1963, Isolana Maria Vittoria Semolesti revived the activity by founding a cooperative of lace makers for the sale of Irish lace. Although the cooperative closed in 1975, the lace makers continued to work individually. Via Guglielmi, with its lace makers, became one of the attractions on the island, drawing tourists who admired the lace-making process. Even today, you can find a few lace makers working at their doorsteps.

The last lace makers of Isola Maggiore, all descendants of Maria Vittoria Semolesti’s school, still operate today. In the center of the island, in the palace that once housed the Brotherhood of Santa Maria dei Disciplinati, the Lace Museum was established, showcasing the works created by the women of Isola Maggiore from 1904 to the end of the 20th century.

What to do in Umbria in January? UmbriaSì tells you

When the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays dies down, January becomes the perfect month for a holiday dedicated to relaxation and discovery. Umbria, with its quiet villages, winter landscapes and authentic flavors, offers a unique experience to start the year in the best way.

Here are our three tips on what to do in Umbria in January

Discover the beauty of winter nature

The Umbrian hills, woods and natural parks are tinged with winter shades in January, offering breathtaking landscapes and a magical atmosphere. Explore the trails of Mount Subasio or the Trasimeno Lake Park, where the quiet of the season allows you to connect with nature in an authentic way. If you are a photography lover or simply seek peace and silence, the Umbrian winter panoramas will surprise you.

Unique Art and Culture Experiences

January is the perfect time to indulge in cultural visits without the crowds. Discover Umbria’s artistic masterpieces, such as Giotto’s frescoes in the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi or the works of Pinturicchio and Perugino preserved in local museums. Exploring Umbrian art in winter is an intimate experience that allows you to fully appreciate the region’s rich history and culture.

Rediscover artisan traditions

Umbria is also the land of ancient artisan traditions that, in winter, can be experienced in a more authentic way. Visit the textile workshops, where hand-crafted work creates unique works, or discover hand-painted ceramics, a symbol of local excellence. An immersive experience that allows you to take home a piece of Umbrian culture and appreciate the passion that animates master craftsmen.

💚 We are waiting for you in Umbria 💚

Hotel Villa Fiorita

Hotel Villa Fiorita

The Hotel Villa Fiorita is located in Umbria and is located in the splendid scenery of the Colfiorito Plateau, it is the ideal place to unplug from the chaos of everyday life and dive into tranquility and relaxation, discovering the natural beauty of the Umbrian territory and the its renowned culinary specialties.

Hospitality, comfort and cleanliness characterize the 40 rooms of the Villa Fiorita Wellness Hotel: large and bright, refined in furnishings, comfortable and functional. Some rooms have a private balcony with a delightful panoramic view of the Apennine hills. 2 classic rooms are equipped with a single hydromassage tub… to relax even in the privacy of your own room! And for the more sentimental? 2 splendid Suites, with warm and enveloping colours, where you can spend romantic evenings tasting delicious dinners and breakfasts served directly in your room, pampering yourself in the 2-seater hydromassage tub with 50-inch plasma satellite television located in front, or having a chat on the lovely private balcony with wooden roof. In the Superior Suite you will be welcomed by a fairy-tale four-poster bed, the Deluxe Suite will amaze you with an enchanting and original round bed.

The originality and tradition of Umbrian cuisine qualify the “Lake Restaurant” of the Villa Fiorita Wellness Hotel, where the elegance of the furnishings and the authenticity of the food come together to make the meal moment unique and unrepeatable.

In our Wellness Center and Beauty Farm, relaxation is guaranteed by a wide range of services that allow you to recharge with new energy to face the stress of everyday life: from the Turkish Bath to the Finnish Sauna, hydromassage tubs, emotional showers, Kneipp path.

Relaxation continues in the indoor swimming pool, among massage beds, waterfalls for the neck and various hydromassages! Without forgetting the new outdoor swimming pool, with a dark bottom, 10 hydromassage stations and 2 cervical waterfalls.

For the more sporty and athletic we have a well-equipped fitness gym (with treadmills, rowing machines, exercise bikes…) as well as modern mountain bikes for playing sports while discovering the natural beauty of the area.

Services

Air conditioning

Bar

Bicycle rental

Family room

Free Wi-fi

Garage

Gluten free

Gym

Hair dryer

Internet

Swimming pool

Indoor swimming pool

Lift

Minibar

Parking

Park/Garden

Restaurant

Safe deposit box

Sauna

Small pets allowed

Solarium

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    Asisium Boutique Hotel

    Asisium Boutique Hotel

    Located just 50 meters from the Cathedral of Santa Chiara, the 4-star Asisium Boutique Hotel has an international restaurant and rooms with large bathrooms with slippers and luxury bathrobes.

    The rooms at the Asisium Boutique Hotel feature modern design furnishings and are complete with free WiFi, an interactive LCD TV, Bluetooth music diffusion, an electric kettle with a selection of teas and herbal teas. Some rooms also feature a Nespresso coffee machine.

    During your stay you can start the day with a rich continental buffet breakfast, our restaurant specializing in Mediterranean and international cuisine with vegetarian options.

    Housed in a renovated 18th century building, the property is 200 meters from the bus stop to the station, a 10-minute walk from San Francesco Cathedral and 9 km from Perugia San Francesco Airport.

    This area of Assisi is one of our guests’ favorites, as the location is very central and close to Piazza del Comune, the epicenter of the city’s life

    Services

    Air conditioning

    Bicycle rental

    Disabled access

    Family room

    Free Wi-fi

    Garage

    Gluten free

    Hair dryer

    Internet

    Accepting groups

    Minibar

    Parking

    Restaurant

    Safe deposit box

    Small pets allowed

    Transfer from/to airport

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      Residenza Fontanelle

      Residenza Fontanelle

      An oasis of peace in the heart of Perugia.

      Hotel Fontanelle is a 3-star hotel located on a prestigious hill just a few minutes from the historic center of Perugia, it is a splendid family-run hotel, capable of perfectly combining professionalism with the warm and hospitable atmosphere that only a domestic environment can convey, allowing guests to enjoy the best services and feel cared as if they were at home.

      The restaurant is a landmark for seafood cuisine in Perugia and it also delight its guests with the products of our fantastic land. Umbria.

      Dream vacations in Perugia and Umbria

      The hotel Fontanelle is located in a strategic position to visit Perugia and Umbria: about 4 km from the historic center of Perugia, five minutes from the Città della Domenica park and very close to the freeway junctions that lead to the most popular tourist destinations of our region such as Assisi, Lake Trasimeno, Spoleto, Spello and other countless towns and natural sites.

      Not only tourism

      The hotel Fontanelle is located in the heart of one of the most lively commercial areas of Perugia, 3 minutes from the hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, 5 minutes from the Renato Curi stadium and the Palabarton sports hall.

      Services

      Air conditioning

      Disabled access

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      Free Wi-fi

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        Deco Hotel

        Deco Hotel

        At only 5 Km from Perugia, Deco Hotel is easily reachable being well connected to the main roads of Umbria, in particular to the main highways which connect Rome and Florence with the capital of Umbria.

        The hotel in inside a secolar garden.

        Within the original deco style building there are comfortable and functional bedrooms all equipped with shower, air conditioning, telephone, satellite TV,  mini bar, wi-fi Internet.

        Services

        Air conditioning

        Bar

        Conference hall

        Disabled access

        Free Wi-fi

        Gluten free

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          Domus Pacis

          Domus Pacis

          Hotel Domus Pacis is a three stars hotel located near the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi.

          The Hotel has 175 rooms, in the Classic, Comfort and Superior categories, recently renovated and elegantly furnished to meet all tyhe guests’ needs. The rooms are comfortable and welcoming, ideal places to return to after an intense day spent among the wonders of Assisi.

          The restaurant serves typical dishes of the Umbrian tradition, the food is genuine and absolutely delicious, the products used are raised or grown locally or as much as possible at Km. 0; fresh ingredients and innovative menus are created to enhance the unique flavor of our destination: Assisi.

          The Domus Pacis Congress Center, technologically advanced, organized and functional, with the possibility of arranging the meeting rooms according to the different needs of its guests, offers meeting rooms of different sizes, easily accessible, with natural lighting and the most modern equipment for the conference, as well as a Staff available to collaborate for the realization of the Event.

          Services

          Air conditioning

          Bar

          Conference hall

          Disabled access

          Family room

          Free Wi-fi

          Games for kids

          Gluten free

          Hair dryer

          Internet

          Accepting groups

          Lift

          Minibar

          Parking

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            Antico Forziere

            Antico Forziere

            L’Antico Forziere, Restaurant and Country House Hotel, is a XVII° century farmhouse regarded locally as an important piece of rural history. It is situated in Umbria, the green heart of Italy, near Deruta, the town world-famous for ceramic art, and very close to Assisi, Perugia, Todi and Spoleto.

            In their warm manner the Rodella family welcomes guests into this ancient building where huge beams, brick arches and wonderful views all lend a special atmosphere.

            Garden with its flowers and scents and the picturesque swimming pool overlook the wide Tiber River valley. New KlaYmai wellness area offers the possibility of total relaxation with the comfortable and spacious Jacuzzi, the emotional shower, the hammam and the sauna, whose access is given exclusively to each single couple for 90 minutes.Massage service is available only for the guest of the hotel.

            L’Antico Forziere welcomes guests in two suites each with its own entrance onto the garden, and six double rooms furnished with a great care of particulars. Each kind of room has private bathroom with hair dryer, safe, minibar, TV, telephone, free Wi-Fi connection, air conditioning, linen in the room and daily cleaning. Each one has also fine curtains and ceramics, exposed wooden beams and wrought iron beds.

            Each Suite has just one room on two levels and it is bigger than a standard double room. They have the double bed on a wood loft and at the ground floor there’s the bathroom, a dining room and the door for the garden in the back side of the hotel.

            Our guests can enjoy pleasant moments of relax in the bright reading room enriched by a big fireplace giving the room a softly warm atmosphere.

            Restaurant offers a blend of traditional and creative cooking resulting in mouth-watering dishes that complement perfectly the atmospheric dining room or the summer terrace for lunch or for dinner by candlelight.

            Services

            Air conditioning

            Bar

            Free Wi-fi

            Gluten free

            Hair dryer

            Minibar

            Parking

            Park/Garden

            Restaurant

            Safe deposit box

            Swimming pool

            TV - TV Sat

            Wellness centre/SPA

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