L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 16 L'Italo-Americano O r v i e t o i s a charming town l o c a t e d i n t h e Umbria region of central Italy, built atop a volcanic tuff cliff overlooking the countryside. Its strategic position along the ancient Via Cassia, one o f t h e m a i n r o a d s o f t h e Roman Empire, made it a sig- nificant cultural and histori- cal hub for centuries. O r v i e t o ' s r o o t s c a n b e t r a c e d b a c k t o E t r u s c a n t i m e s , w i t h e v i d e n c e o f human settlement dating as far back as the 9th century B C : t h e E t r u s c a n s h a d established a flourishing city known as Velzna in the very spot Orvieto stands today. It was a strategic location, that served as a vital center for t r a d e a n d c o m m e r c e a s i t c o n n e c t e d E t r u r i a w i t h neighboring regions. During the Roman era, Orvieto, then known as Urbs V e t u s , t h r i v e d a s a l i v e l y u r b a n c e n t e r w i t h i n t h e expanding empire. However, w i t h t h e d e c l i n e o f t h e R o m a n E m p i r e i n t h e 5 t h c e n t u r y A D , O r v i e t o , l i k e many other cities of the time, faced a period of decline and instability. During the Middle Ages, however, Orvieto experienced a remarkable resurgence and emerged as a powerful city- state governed by influential noble families such as the Monaldeschi and the Orsini. The town's impregnable posi- tion atop the cliff made it a f o r m i d a b l e s t r o n g h o l d , attracting the attention of rival city-states vying for con- trol of central Italy. Orvieto's strategic importance was fur- ther emphasized by the con- struction of impressive forti- f i c a t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g t h e imposing Torre del Moro, which still stands sentinel over the town today. O n e o f t h e c r o w n i n g achievements of Orvieto's medieval heyday is its mag- nificent Duomo, a symbol o f t h e t o w n ' s w e a l t h a n d a r t i s t i c p r o w e s s : b u i l t between the 13th and 14th centuries, the Duomo is a m a s t e r p i e c e o f I t a l i a n G o t h i c a r c h i t e c t u r e , a d o r n e d w i t h e l a b o r a t e façades, beautiful frescoes, and striking sculptures. Its a r t i s t i c h i g h l i g h t i s , undoubtedly, Luca Signorel- li's awe-inspiring Last Judg- ment fresco in the San Brizio Chapel. Orvieto also has a myste- r i o u s s i d e , a n d h a r b o r s secrets beneath its ancient s t r e e t s : t h e O r v i e t o U n d e r g r o u n d i s a labyrinthine network of tun- nels, caves, and wells that date back to Etruscan and m e d i e v a l t i m e s . G u i d e d tours offer visitors a fasci- n a t i n g g l i m p s e i n t o t h e town's subterranean history, revealing hidden chambers, ancient cisterns, olive press- e s , a n d e v e n a m e d i e v a l pigeon coop. If you are a nature lover, Orvieto has something for you, too: just a stone's throw from the town center, the s t u n n i n g P a r c o d e l l a R u p e , a scenic park that s u r r o u n d s t h e t o w n w i t h lush forests, rolling hills, and breathtaking views of the countryside, is a haven of peace and tranquility. Visi- t o r s c a n e n j o y l e i s u r e l y hikes, picnics, or simply soak in the serene atmosphere of this idyllic retreat. No visit to Orvieto would b e c o m p l e t e w i t h o u t indulging in its delectable traditional cuisine. Local specialties include porchet- ta (roast pork), a succulent roast pork dish that delights taste buds with its crispy skin and flavorful meat. Another c u l i n a r y g e m o f O r v i e t o is wild boar ragù, a hearty meat sauce that shows the region's love for game meats: made with tender pieces of wild boar simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce, this rus- tic dish is typically served o v e r a r t i s a n a l p a s t a s u c h as umbricelli or pici. But no culinary journey through Orvieto would be complete without sampling its world-renowned pecori- n o c h e e s e o r a g l a s s o f its Orvieto Classico wine: t h i s c r i s p a n d r e f r e s h i n g w h i t e i s p r o d u c e d f r o m grapes grown locally and has notes of citrus, pear, and white flowers, which perfect- ly complements the flavors of Umbrian cuisine. T h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r , Orvieto also hosts a variety of lively events and festivals, connected to its rich cultural heritage. One of the most p o p u l a r i s t h e C o r p u s Domini procession, held in June, where locals dress in t r a d i t i o n a l c o s t u m e s a n d parade through the streets c a r r y i n g r e l i g i o u s i c o n s . O t h e r n o t a b l e e v e n t s include the Umbria Jazz Winter Festival and the annual medieval reenact- ment known as the Palio dell'Assunta. E v e r y y e a r o n April 21st, the streets of Rome come alive to cel- ebrate the birth- d a y o f t h e E t e r n a l C i t y , w h i c h t r a d i t i o n s a y s w a s founded on the 21st of April 7 5 3 B C b y t h e f i r s t o f i t s s e v e n k i n g s , R o m u l u s . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e f a m o u s Latin writer Varro, Romu- lus, guided by the astrologi- cal calculations of the physi- c i s t L u c i u s T a r u t i u s Firmanus, established the city on the Palatine Hill. History turns into myth when recounting the legend o f R o m u l u s a n d h i s t w i n b r o t h e r R e m u s . T h e t w o were said to be the offspring o f t h e g o d M a r s a n d t h e v e s t a l v i r g i n R h e a S i l v i a . Abandoned by their mother, the twins were rescued and nurtured by a she-wolf on the banks of the Tiber River. While legend and reality blur in this tale, archaeological excavations somehow align with the narrative, revealing ancient settlements dating to the same era as the founding myth. Rome's birthday coincides a l s o w i t h t h e P a l i l i a , a n ancient Roman festival cele- brated annually on April 21st i n h o n o r o f t h e g o d d e s s Pales, who was associated w i t h s h e p h e r d s a n d l i v e - stock. The festival had deep a g r i c u l t u r a l s i g n i f i c a n c e , m a r k i n g t h e t r a d i t i o n a l beginning of the rural year and focusing on the purifica- tion of sheep and their pens to ensure fertility and protec- tion from diseases. Today, the anniversary is celebrated with enthusiasm across the city. One of its highlights is the immersive e x p e r i e n c e a t t h e C i r c u s Maximus, where historical reenactments and recreated Roman and Berber encamp- ments transport attendees back in time. But there are a l s o e d u c a t i o n a l e x h i b i t s , e x p l o r i n g t h e m e s s u c h a s ancient Roman cuisine and r e l i g i o n , a n d s o m e t i m e s , even reenactments of gladia- torial combats! On the day, a grand histor- ical parade takes place from Circus Maximus to Piazza Venezia, passing iconic land- marks like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. A moment of awe occurs at noon within the Pantheon, as a beam of sunlight pene- trates through its oculus and illuminates its ancient bronze d o o r s . T h i s p h e n o m e n o n , known as the Agrippa Sun- beam, was designed to coin- cide with the city's birthday and symbolized the divine r a d i a n c e b e s t o w e d u p o n Rome by Emperor Augustus. A m o s a i c o f R o m u l u s a n d R e m u s f e d b y t h e S h e - W o l f ( P h o t o : B i r u t e Vijeikiene/Dreamstime) An aerial view of Orvieto, in Umbria (Photo Stevanzz/Dreamstime) 21st of April: happy birthday to the Caput Mundi The gothic magic of Orvieto LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE BORGHI

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