Consortium “il Croco di Pietro Perugino”

About twenty years ago the agronomist Alberto Viganò planted saffron crocus bulbs from the Valencia district in Spain in his estate in the area of Città della Pieve. Subsequently a few other local farmers also planted small plots of saffron crocus.  In June 2003, the Consortium “Alberto Viganò”, in collaboration with the Municipality of Città della Pieve, Comunità Montana Monti del Trasimeno, Faculty of Agriculture of Perugia, Gal Trasimeno Orvietano,  Slow Food –Trasimeno Department and Trade Unions, was founded to protect “Il Croco di Pietro Perugino – pure saffron of Città della Pieve”. The members of the Consortium include 21 saffron producers with farms located at an altitude of between 300 and 600 meters above sea level, located in the Production Area of the municipalities of  Città della Pieve, Paciano, Panicale, Piegaro Castiglione del Lago (only the southern area) Monteleone d’Orvieto and Montegabbione. The purpose of the Consortium is that of protecting the saffron of  Città della Pieve and is aimed at distinguishing, supporting and promoting production and commercialization, with the goal of defending the unique  features of this product.  The Consortium has Rules and Regulations of Production which must be rigorously adhered to by producers who wish to use the Consortium Label. It establishes farming and production methods with particular attention paid to eco-compatible agronomic techniques, the  characteristics of the product and packaging standards.Since the growing of saffron dates back to the time of Città della Pieve’s most distinguished native son, Pietro Cristoforo Vannucci known as “Il Perugino” (ca 1450 – 1523), one of the greatest masters of Italian Renaissance painting, the link between the cuisine of then and now has been rediscovered.