Village Italy - 2014
Ravenna, Montone and Assisi
Wednesday, September 10
Ravenna and Montone, Italy
This morning we met our bus drive, Mario. After loading our luggage on the bus we drove to our first stop of the day, Ravenna, where we toured the Byzantine San Vitale Basilica.
Byzantine San Vitale Basilica
The Basilica of San Vitale is one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Western Europe. Construction began in 527 BC and was completed twenty years later in 547 BC. It is octagonal and with filled Byzantine mosaics on the ceilings and walls. We spent more than an hour looking the brilliant colored mosaics telling stories from the Bible. We have been in many churches, cathedrals and basilicas in Europe and none of them compare to the San Vilate. I can only describe the Basilica as breathtaking.
When we left the basilica we had a couple of hours for lunch and time to explore some of Ravenna. Our guide suggested we try La Piadina, a restaurant specializing in a local dish called a Piadina. A Piadina is a hot folded sandwich similar to a tortilla.
Mine was filled with mozzarella and prosciutto and Dianne ordered one with mozzarella and broccoli.
Early afternoon we were back on the bus and headed to our next destination, Montone, Italy where we stayed for the next two nights.
La Piadina
Montone is a medieval hill top village in the region of Umbria that was founded between 800 AD and 1000. The village is considered one of the best preserved villages in Italy.
Montone, Italy
Mid-afternoon we checked into Locanda di Capitano, our hotel in Montone. The hotel was located in the center of the small village in a building that dates back to the 12th century.
We had a couple of hours before our group dinner in the evening so we took advantage of the time to be to explore this interesting and old rustic stone village.
Locanda di Capitano
The streets in Montone are cobbled, very narrow and in many places steep with steps. A slow meandering walk from one side of the village to the other took less than 10 minutes.
The narrow streets in Montone
Montone was a special place. It was truly off the beaten path. It’s very old and not frequented by tourists because most tour guides don’t mention Montone.
Thursday, September 11
Assisi and Montone, Italy
This morning we took a short drive to Assisi. The main attraction in the town is the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Piazza Santa Chiara
Construction of the basilica honoring the local saint, St. Francis of Assisi, began immediately after his canonization in 1228. The basilica was completed in 1253.
After lunch we had time to explore more of the town. Assisi was larger with more tourists than other hill towns we visited.
View of Assisi from Piazza St. Chiara
Piazza del Chiara
We left Assisi the later afternoon and drove to a farm where we met a local farmer and his family. The farmer had a specially trained dog for hunting truffles, one of the area’s specialties.
After the truffle hunt we remained on the farm joining the family for a hearty home cooked dinner. We started with anti pasta of prosciutto, melon and cheese bread. The next dish was pasta covered with grated parmigiano cheese and truffles followed by a tomato, cucumber and onion salad. The main course was scrambled eggs with truffles. For dessert we had a pear and persimmon tart.
Our hosts with our tour guide Lisa Anderson
Enjoying our home cooked meal
Early in the evening we returned to Montone.
© 2014. 2015 Bill Juffernbruch