Umbria

Umbria has been given two titles over the centuries "The Holy Land of Italy and, "The green heart of Italy", both well deserved. Umbria, where ancient traditions are kept alive and are reflected in the quality of life, in the purity and authenticity of its produce, in the splendid tracce history, art, and culture bave left in the Umbrian countryside, is a region which has conserved its human dimensions. 
This uncontaminated "green ìsland" in the centre of Italy is fascinating, where art and good food, simplicity and authenticity combine in a unique mixture with many different aspects, a great variety of products, countryside, and towns with civilised customs. 

Religion in Umbria

Umbria has been compared to the Holy Land because, apart from having a hilly countryside which is very similar to that of the land where Jesus was born, historically it has been witness to great piety: one just has to think of Saint Benedict of Norcia and Saint Francis of Assisi - the saint who can most be compared to Christ - Saint Clare and Saint Rita of Cascia, a well-loved saint invoked by the people. 
Religious fervour has left' a significant mark on Umbrian soil: if one considers Assisi, Gubbio, Norcia, Cascia (with churches and convents of incomparable beauty), or Spoleto and Orvieto (with their marvellous cathedrais). 

Geography and Umbrials agriristorantil production

Umbria is a hilly region, with plenty of sources of water (the river Tiber and the Nera), with many woodlands, the soil is for the most part clayey limestone, and because of these characteristics is sultable for the cuitivation of olives and vines which were originally introduced in the region in Etruscan times. The hilly terrain is ideal for the exposure of the vines to the rays of the sun and the soil is suitable for the cultivation of olive trees and vines.
The woodlands, on the other hand, provide an exceptional gastronomic product: the truffle. 
The uncontaminated, mountainous areas boast excellent sweet smelling pastures: hence the development of cattle farming (Chianina cattle, excellent for meat production) and the manufacture of dairy products. 
Beautiful countryside, rolling hills, art centres, highly religious towns: a thousand aspects to discover, appreciate and flavour even through the typical agriristorantil produce of Umbria, each and every one with individual characteristics yet united by the, care that goes into, their production with traditional methods, passed on from generation to generation, which guarantee their indisputable autenticity and quality. 

Gastronomy 

In Umbria good food is a tradition and an art based on the autenticity and quality: of simple, strong flavoured products: Umbrian wine and olive oil, meat, salami and other pork products, cheese, truffles, lentils and fresh water fish. 
Norcia, about 50 kilometres from Spoleto, in the mountains, has been the capital of truffles and the manufacture of pork products since Roman times (infact "norcino is still today, synonymous of an expert in the manufacture of pork products). The most famous Umbrian cheese is sheep's milk cheese; the prestigious Umbrian DOC wines are Red Torgiano Reserve, Sagrantino from Montefalco, the well known Orvieto white wine, Montefalco, Torgiano, Colli Perugini, Colli Martani, Colli Altotiberini, Colli del Trasimeno, and Colli Amerini DOC. Red, white and rose wines, dessert wines, wines to accompany the main course and spumante wines: a wide variety of products due to the richness and to the great variety of terrain and microclimates in the different areas mentioned above". 

Quality of life and civilised traditions 

All of this expiains why Umbria is one of the top-rated places in Italy as regards the high quality of life: the civil tradition of the population and a such a varied and interesting history, have generated a social climate characterised by a high level of civilisation, a great sense of tolerance, and widespread, intelligent involvement in managing common problems. 
A visit to discover the most autentics aspects of Umbria is well worthwhile and will not be disappointing. 

Umbria Vacation