Introduction
This quiet and pristine tiny speck of a town is a lovely village whose history dates back even earlier than any other in this region of Umbria. According to a legend a mythological king called Ameroe established this settlement in 12 BC. Some Latin texts refer to Amelia even in the 11th century BC. Rome would be born four centuries later. Surrounding the theatre, the walls that protected the village are thought to date back to the 6th century BC, however the rest belongs to the 4th century.
The walls still existing around the town are interrupted by the porte that let visitors in and out. Outside the Porta Romana visitors will find the tourist office parking facilities, the bus station and cafes where you can savour their local speciality the fichi girotti, an Amerino snack of fig and chocolate. Here and there you will find that monuments are labelled in Italian and English.
Information can be obtained at the tourist office outside the Porta Romana or linking www.amelia.it
What to See and Do
The walls around the village date back earlier that the Roman times. Event though they were built without mortar, they have stood for over 25 centuries.
The Museo Archeologico di Amelia is an amazing must-visit. One of its marvellous pieces is a statue of Germanico, the Roman captain who was adopted by Tiberius, this statue, which is over 2 metres, wears an armour representing Achilles attacking Troilus in the Trojan War. One of Piermatteo d’Amelia’s works of art is housed in this museum. This inhabitant of Amelia was key figure for Christopher Columbus to obtain the ships that let him reach America. Piermatteo painted the original Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Under Piazza Mattettotti is a Roman cistern that should not be missed.
For a romantic walk, stroll down from Piazza Matteotti, past the Palazzo Municipale to the Girl Kissing Alley (Vicolo Baciafemmine ).This narrow passage lets walkers closeness to free their passion.
The theatrical society to which only the middle class and bourgeoisie could belong, determined to give their village more cultural activity and construct a theatre. On Via del Teatro it was erected and became an important meeting point. The original wood wheels are even now used for the moving wings. Domenico Bruschi was in charge of painting the frescoes and booths in 1886.
From Via della Valle there is a magnificent view of the stone walls erected by the Etruscans in the 6th century BC. The roughness of the stones indicates how old they are. The Etruscan did not use mortar in the construction, however they can still be admired.
The Chiesa di San Francesco dates back to the 13th century, however its façade where the Romanesque and Gothic styles were incorporated was added in 1406. It also underwent modifications in the 20th century.
The cathedral sits today in the same space that different religious buildings have occupied since the 9th century. The cathedral houses many priceless paintings and sculpture.
The Torre Civica, which is by the cathedral, was erected in the Middle Ages in 1050 on a dodecagonal base which represents the 12 apostles and the 12 zodiac signs.
To learn Italian first hand, Eurolinks offers courses at all levels accommodates its students on a Italian farmhouse or at a family house at different charges and boards. Eurolinks oganizes cooking lessons, wellness retreats and visits to wineries and olive mills as well.
The Palio di Columbi held in August is a magnificent celebration which has remained for centuries and has been recreated since the 14th century, a celebration expected by residents and travellers alike. In August the teams representing the different neighbourhoods compete with each other. The results have been billed in the municipal records for seven centuries now. Almost everyone from Amelia dresses up in typical costumes recreating the medieval times. Knights and crossbowmen aim their arrows to a target which sets free a dove. The Porta Romana which remains open every single day of the year is only closed when this celebration takes place.
Around Amelia is Amerino an area which is perfect to set off on a voyage of cultural and natural discovery. A car drive is the best way to start this treasure hunt, the holm-oaks and ilex groves and rivers meandering it form a beautiful scenery to discover. The Lago di Alviano and Orsi di Alviano are today an ecological niche for bird formed after the building of the dam in Lago di Corbara.
The Museo Storico Multimediale Bartolomeo d’Alviano e I Capitani di Ventura are ideal to delve into their fabulous collections. The influential Alviano family was key in erecting the cathedral of Orvieto. The famed Capitano di Ventura Bartolomeo d’Alviano was represented on a Venetian coin.
Where to Eat
The fichi girotti is a local speciality that should not be missed by any means, for its delicious flavour and combination of fig with chocolate and nuts.
Osteria dei Cansacchi, wrapped in the medieval style, serves a combination of two local delights: wild boar and mushroom, the bistecche di cinghiale e porcini. Well priced good pizza and the home made pasta with black tartufo and excellent fish are other must in it.
At La Cabelletta the house speciality is the pasta accompanied with wild hare sauce.
How to Get to/around/around
BY BUS. From Amelia to Narni (services: 9 a day), to Narni Scalo (services: 10 a day), to Orvieto (length:1.10hours, services:7 a day), to Terni ( length:1 hour, services: 16 a day).
BY CAR : there is a paid parking near the city centre. At the end of the street along the walls to the left is the free car park. Rather than by car it is recommended to discover the town on foot as everything is in a spitting distance.
