Bevagna

Bevagna is one of our favorite towns in Umbria. It is a compact gem of a city whose small size and flat terrain make it an easy and pleasant place to stroll around and whose proximity to the villa makes it a convenient place to shop, eat or just relax. Within the city walls there are some simply breathtaking views, a number of worthy historical sites and a lot of great places to eat.

On our first visit to Bevagna, our host described it as one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. What we didn’t know then was that Bevagna had, literally, been designated “one of the most beautiful cities in Italy” (“uno dei borghi piu belli d’Italia”), a designation awarded to only a handful of towns in Italy, but, fortunately for us, a number of which are located near the villa.

Bevagna is an easy (flat) 20-30 minute bike ride or a short 10 minute drive from the villa. Along the way you will pass rolling hills dotted with a number of picturesque vineyards (the border of the Montefalco wine district begins near the villa along the Strada Cannara-Bevagna). In the summer, the Col Santo vineyard, along the main road just before arriving in Cantalupo, is in full bloom, with its rows of vines adorned with wild roses. A beautiful cemetery, resembling a small town, is a little further along the road on the left.

Be sure to stop at the Piandarca, a small shrine (so small you may not notice it) just across from the Api gas station just after you turn left on the main road. It is said to be the place where St. Francis of Assisi gave his famous sermon to the birds and the animals. A painting depicting this scene is displayed at the shrine and the faithful often leave flowers there.

An ancient Roman town built along the original Via Flaminia, what was originally called Mevania today boasts a number of noteworthy Roman remains, including an extremely beautiful and well preserved mosaic floor in the ancient Roman baths. The town’s best restaurant is built into the remains of the ancient Roman amphitheatre. But built on top of the Roman city is a picturesque medieval city, which has been beautifully preserved and restored today.

HOW TO GET THERE

Getting to Bevagna from the villa is quite simple. Turn right out of the Fattoria driveway and proceed until the road dead ends at a major intersection (the Strada Cannara-Bevagna). Turn left and proceed along this road for approximately 10 km (about 10 minutes). Shortly after you pass the “Bevagna” town limit sign, the road curves to the left, but you should proceed straight toward the Porta Cannara, the main city gate which is considered the best-preserved gate in the city walls. There is a parking lot with free parking on the right. The front row nearest the street is free for an hour. The remainder is free for unlimited parking.

If that lot is full, continue around the curve to the stop sign, turn right and there is another parking at the other end of town.