BEVAGNA - The Edge of the Sagrantino Wine Region
“Beer is made by men, wine by God.”
ABOUT:Bevagna isa well preserved medieval village, which is relatively flat and easy to walk compared to most. It is famous for its completely intact perimeter walls, thriving artisan heritage, ancient Roman mosaics, and the vibrant Mercato delle Gaite historical re-enactment. A fun fact about Bevagna, is the Mattòli family from here is the oldest family of homeopathic doctors in the world. In 1855 and 1867 Agostino was very active during Cholera epidemics in Bevagna, with notable statistical results. From a table of military origin quoted in the work of Lodispoto, Agostino treated 193 patients in the 1867 epidemic, with a mortality of only 14 individuals (7.25% of deaths, while the mortality of untreated Cholera is 50-60 %) – statistically overlapping results were obtained throughout Italy and also in England. A plaque still located in the course of Bevagna on the walls of the house where he lived, recalls his extraordinary action in favor of the population during the Colera epidemics of 1855 and 1867. After his death, in 1869, in his honor a homeopathic behavior was established in Bevagna (probably the first in Italy).
WHAT TO DO:The top attractions for this village include:
Piazza Silvestri: This asymmetrical medieval square is the beating heart of Bevagna. It features two stunning 12th-century Romanesque churches: the Collegiate Church of San Michele Arcangelo (famous for its intricate portal and bell tower) and the Basilica of San Silvestri .
Roman Mosaics and Baths: Originally an important Roman town named Mevania situated along the ancient Via Flaminia, Bevagna hides incredible Roman treasures. You can view the stunning marine-themed floor mosaics of a 2nd-century Roman bathhouse. The bridge crossing over the baths is truly a beautiful place to rest and watch the cascading water flow down the river.
Medieval Walls & Ancient Rivers:The town is entirely encircled by medieval walls . A walk around the town brings you to scenic watercourses like the Clitunno River and the historic public washhouses, which remain incredibly picturesque.
Teatro Francesco Torti: Located inside the Palazzo dei Consoli, this quaint,18th-century theater is a beautiful hidden cultural gem.
WHAT TO EAT: Bevagna is a sleepy town with a pleasant, easy to navigate layout making it ideal for one of those days that you just do not feel like dealing with the masses. The restaurants serve traditional Umbrian and Tuscan dishes and are all quaint with the traditional brick ceilings, friendly service and great wine lists. Ottavius Hosteria d’Autore is a funky place which mixes traditional style, modern art work, indoor/outdoor dining, and fabulous dishes from the area. While their website states that they are open from 12:30PM-3:30PM, they do not actually mention which days they are open, so as always, we recommend scheduling a reservation to be safe. https://ottavius.com/en/ottavius-hosteria-dautore-english/. Another nice local establishment is Osteria del Podesta and are open during lunch and dinner hours. They have a simple menu, which changes with the seasons and usually have a featured special or two. They do not have a website, but can be found on the FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Osteria-del-podest%C3%A0-100063699577462/. For a quirky twist on things, there is a monastery just outside of Bevagna that prides itself and taking local cuisine to new levels that goes by the not-so-unique name ofAl Monestero. This place is open for dinners only, with the exception of brunch on Sundays. There is a long standing history at this place with the family and cooking and they take great pride in sourcing everything locally and creating inventive Umbrian dishes. Reservations are definitely recommended here. https://www.ristorantemonasterobevagna.com/
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