Assisi’s Calendimaggio: Living La Passione

Current Events, Festivals, Folklore, Guided Hilltown Visits, History, Italian 'Passione', Local peopleLeave a comment

May is the month of festivals in Italy: euphoria reigns in Gubbio every May 15th for la Corsa dei Ceri. Narni brings alive Renaissance splendor in mid-May. Food festivals, le sagre, animate small villages all over Umbria in May (and not only). Each of these festivals brings out the locals’ passione for their history and…

St. Benedict’s Feast: Assisi Celebrates with Norcia

Current Events, Festivals, Folklore, History, Special Events, Traditions, Umbrian Hilltowns2 Comments

Only the facade of the Basilica dedicated to St. Benedict still stands in his Norcia following the earthquake of October 30, 2016: a sobering backdrop to the celebration of his feast day this year. Declared “Patron Saint of Europe” by Pope Paul VI in 1964, San Benedetto, founder of western monasticism and born in Norcia…