Castel Viscardo

Castel Viscardo was founded in 1263 by Guiscardo da Pietrasanta, a relative of Pope Urban IV.  Thanks to its towers (the Castle and the tower of Vitiano), for centuries it was an important outlook point defending Orvieto and the entire upper and middle Valley of the Paglia. The land around Castelviscardo is rich in clay and favored the development of kilns, active as far back as the construction of the Castle (13th cent.). The Springs of Tiberio These springs of sulfur water were fashionable in the Sixties (a favorite place with the protagonists of the Roman "Dolce Vita") and as the name tells you, were already used as spas in Imperial Roman times.. A project isunder study to restore them and open them once more to the public. Wine, Oil and Winemakers Since 1292 the “wine lands” of Monterubiaglio have  been a source of pride for the inhabitants of these lands. Currently an excellent Orvieto Classico and Red IGT of great character are produced with international types of grapes (Merlot, Pinot, Cabernet. Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella, two of the greatest “winemakers” in the world, were born in Monterubiaglio. The “Guida Gastronomica d’Italia” of the Touring Club (1931) mentions the Vin Santo of Monterubiaglio as a paragon of the Umbrian variety, describing it as alcoholic, “the color of gold, sweet and harmonious in taste and with a pleasant fragrance”. The extra-virgin olive oil (also produced as DOP Colli Orvietani) is also excellent. Airfield of the Alfina The Airfield of Alfina is an airport built in 1936  designed by Pier Luigi Nervi. During World War II it was used as a base for bombers. It is now used for ultra-light aircraft. The Kilns The clay-rich lands around Castel Viscardo favored the birth, in the Middle Ages, of a flourishing production of terra-cottas (bricks, roof and floor tiles and also ceramics). Currently there are numerous kilns working in traditions handed down from father to son and their product are used in prestigious restoration work (Pantehon, Colosseum, Aurelian Walls, Piazza Campo di Fiori in Siena) to see Etruscan necropolis in loc. Caldane Roman piscina in loc. Torricella The Parish Church Documentation center on the kilns The wine cellars of Castel Viscardo The “relict  beechwood” of the glacial period Monterubiaglio, Viceno and Pianlungo to taste “Orvieto Classico” wine Rosso Umbria IGT Extra-virgin olive oil Fave dei morti (traditional almond cookies) Vin Santo of Monterubiaglio Easter Breads Chick pea and chestnut soup “Chianti” wine of Viceno events “La Cannelletta” Saint Anthony of Padua The “Bigonzone” (wine tub) of Monterubiaglio “In search of the lost dish” The “Vecchiarella” (“Old Lady”, January 5)