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Beyond Fashion and Chocolate, a Woman Philanthropist on the Horizon

Luisa Spagnoli, a name that evokes immediate images of refined fashion and chocolate delicacies. However, his legacy goes far beyond runways and treats. Today, we want to reveal the lesser-known side of this extraordinary woman: her philanthropist soul.

For those, like me, who were fortunate enough to wander the picturesque hill of Santa Lucia at a young age, it was not at all uncommon to come across angora bunnies that had escaped from Luisa’s gardens. After the devastation of the Second World War, Luisa Spagnoli became passionate about these adorable animals, starting not only to create a collection of them, but to intuit a secret that would revolutionize the world of fashion: the art of combing, rather than shearing, these rabbits . A kind gesture that allowed us to obtain a yarn with unprecedented softness, a fabric that pampered the skin like no other.

And what about his delicious chocolates? The Bacio Perugina is a name known throughout the world, but there is another tablet that bears his name, a creation that some Perugians affectionately call “Carrarmato”, perhaps as a tribute to his tenacity and strength of mind.

And finally, we cannot forget the contribution of Luisa Spagnoli to the creation of Città della Domenica, the first theme park in Italy, born thanks to the ingenuity of her son Mario in 1963. She decided to use the land she owned on Mount Pulito, in the Ferro di Cavallo neighborhood in Perugia, in a park for family leisure, a sort of ideal city that was initially supposed to take the name of “Spagnolia”. Of enormous size for its time (over 43 hectares of land), the park presents, immersed in the dense Umbrian vegetation, wildlife areas and fairy-tale themed structures.

Luisa Spagnoli was much more than just a fashion and chocolate icon. She was a visionary woman, a generous philanthropist and an inspiration to future generations. His legacy extends far beyond the confines of catwalks and chocolates, a shining example of how passion, dedication and kindness can shape the world for the benefit of all.

Credit photo by:
Cittàdelladomenica.it
NestlèItalia.it
Ilverdemondo.it
Kongnews.it
IlDenaro.it

Welcome to the heart of Umbria, where history blends with the charm of the Templars. Gubbio, a picturesque medieval city hides secrets that date back to the era of the Knights Templar. In this article, we will take you on a journey through time to discover the fascinating link between Gubbio and the Templars, offering a panoramic view of this ancient order and its traces in the heart of this city.

The history of the Templars
To fully understand the influence of the Templars in Gubbio, it is essential to take a look at their history. The Order of the Templars, also known as the Knights Templar, was founded in the 12th century during the Crusades in the Holy Land. These warrior-monk knights were famous for their military prowess, their religious devotion, and their incredible wealth.

The Templars played a significant role in the Crusades, defending Christian pilgrims and amassing vast amounts of wealth and property throughout the known world. Their influence also extended to Italy, and Gubbio was no exception. From a famous writing by a nobleman from Eugubino we read about a certain Knight Battista Sforzolini: “Battista Sforzolini, knight of the Temple of Jerusalem, was one of the bravest warriors of his time; he was always the first in all the most dangerous ventures; he never escaped danger, he almost overcame it with valor and wisdom, and in the most frightening battles he showed that a generous heart cannot find danger that frightens it.”

The Templars in Gubbio
Gubbio, with its strategic position and historical importance, became an important center for the Templars in Italy. This city was a crucial crossroads for travelers and pilgrims heading to Rome and played a key role in the network of Templar settlements in Italy. The Inquisition process was inaugurated in Gubbio, in the palace of the Church of Santa Croce della Foce and in the palace of the Bishopric.
Between Gubbio and the neighboring municipalities of Scheggia and Pascelupo, Scheggia, Costacciaro, Sigillo, Fossato di Vico… there are many traces and symbols such as the Templar crosses which testify to the presence of the Templars in the Umbrian land.

Gubbio is a hidden treasure for history buffs and those fascinated by the history of the Templars. This fascinating journey will allow you to discover the secrets of this ancient order and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of a city that has kept its Templar heritage alive over the centuries.

In the month of September, typically known for the grape harvest and the grape harvest, we find a famous traditional dessert from Umbria
According to tradition, mostaccioli were the favorite dessert of Saint Francis who tasted these “good and fragrant” biscuits, as the saint said, during his first stay in Rome.
Offering what would become her perennial “sin of gluttony” was Jacopa de’ Settesoli, a Roman noblewoman, who became a collaborator of the newborn Franciscan movement and a dear friend of Saint Francis, so much so that he affectionately called her Friar Jacopa. It is said that Saint Francis liked these sweets so much that he desired them even at the point of death!
Ingredients
Flour 600 g
Sugar 200 g
Raisins 50 g
Brewer’s yeast 50 g
Must 300 ml
Zest of 1 lemon
Extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons
Anise seeds (if desired)

Preparation
After sifting the flour, arrange it in a well and add the oil, sugar, sultanas and anise seeds. Mix everything and, once the brewer’s yeast has dissolved in the must, add it to the mixture, continuing to knead until you obtain a dough that can easily be detached from the work surface.
At this point, stretch the dough with your hands to obtain a cylinder, cut it into small pieces and give your mostaccioli the appearance you prefer: diamond-shaped or in the shape of a small donut. Then place them on the baking tray with baking paper. Bake them at 180 degrees and let them cook for about 30 minutes. Once ready, sprinkle a little icing sugar on top.

Curiosity
Cooked must was a typical sweetener throughout peasant Italy and was obtained by cooking fresh must for many hours in low, wide copper containers. Over time, this delicious but time-consuming ingredient has been replaced by sugar.
Cooked must is produced by pressing well-ripe grapes, with a higher sugar quality than that required for the production of wine (23-25% sugar), subsequently filtering the juice obtained. After this, the juice is cooked in containers traditionally made of copper or terracotta, but today replaced by stainless steel. Once boiled, it continues to cook over a low heat for several hours, until the liquid shrinks by a quarter of its initial volume. In many southern regions, “mostaccioli” are famous, desserts made from cooked must, but with a rhombus shape that differentiates them from our tradition.

Copyright foto La gazzetta del gusto
Umbriatourism

The Green Heart of Italy warms up with colors in autumn: from September Umbria lights up with red, yellow and orange!

After the summer heat, nature blows its most beautiful colors and, temporarily abandoning the green, it colors before the arrival of winter. Autumn in Umbria is made up of the smell of leaves, of wood burning in the first fireplaces that are lit.

It is the season of harvesting and pressing the olives, then boiling the musts and mills where you can taste the bruschetta with the new oil.

Don’t miss a bike ride along the Strada del Sagrantino, with its purple vines, or a walk in the woods, such as the Bosco di San Francesco in Assisi, where you can admire the autumn foliage, or go with the children to collect chestnut curls in the area of ​​Città di Castello.

Umbria Jazz is finally back, the most awaited musical event in Umbria, the most important musical festival dedicated to the world of Jazz in Italy and among the most influential in the world.
A festival between the warm notes of the Sax and the rhythmic notes of the trumpet that resonate in the alleys of the Historic Center of Perugia and its stages distributed in locations with breathtaking historical settings, such as the stage in Piazza IV Novembre, the Jazz Jam Session at the Morlacchi Theater, concerts for purists at the National Gallery of Umbria, up to the Main Stage located in the Santa Giuliana arena for the concerts of the great Italian and international artists who have crossed the door of Umbria Jazz.

Herbie Hancock, also present at Umbria Jazz this year, describes the festival as follows:

“It’s where you need to be at this time of year”

Did you know that Umbria Jazz was also mentioned in episode n.16-season 33 of The Simpsons?

The Origin of Umbria Jazz 

It was born in 1973 (it celebrates its 50th birthday this year!) by the will of Carlo Pagnotta, manager of a clothing shop and above all a great lover of Jazz music who wanted to bring a festival dedicated to this musical genre to his Umbria region. The story goes that he had the idea or the electrocution of Jazz in a historic bar in Via Mazzini, now closed.
The first concert took place in 1973, in the natural theater of Villalago in Piediluco, in the province of Terni. Other locations for the stages were Perugia right in Piazza IV Novembre where Weather Report made their Italian debut, and again Gubbio, just to give the idea of a music festival that embraced all of Umbria.

Not everything went smoothly…

In the difficult and hot 70s and 80s, between clashes and conflicting political ideas between “black music” and “white music”, Umbria Jazz did not see the light of the stages in 1978 until 1982!

Umbria Jazz Return

The year of its “re-birth” dates back to 1982 with novelties and changes such as the introduction of the entrance ticket for some concerts, which until then were free.
In 1985 the Umbria Jazz Association was born which manages the event and the Umbria Jazz brand which remains the property of the Umbria Region.
Another novelty is the choice of Perugia as host city for Umbria Jazz with only a few concerts held over the years in Terni, Assisi, Gubbio. Or with the Umbria Jazz Winter Edition held every year in December in Orvieto.

The streets plays Jazz

Duration Umbria Jazz, which has traditionally been held for 10 days in the month of July, it is possible to watch and listen to musicians, jazz musicians, singers who perform all along Corso Vannucci, creating unique atmospheres between the notes of Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Soul , rhythm ‘n’ blues…
Famous for their concert itineraries are, for example, the Funk Off!
The power is Umbria Jazz is having created a Jazz Music event in Italy, with all the nuances ranging from blues to reggae music, from pop to soul, between great artists and emerging artists, between “street” music and great stages. An event able to excite and bring everyone together, young and old, under the notes of Jazz.

Mentioning Alessandro Baricco in his theatrical monologue Novecento:

“When you don’t know what music is, then it’s Jazz!”

Some great artists who have participated in Umbria Jazz

Alicia Keys 
Art Blakey 
B.B. King 
Carlos Santana 
Diana Krall 
Earth, Wind & Fire 
Elton John 
Eric Clapton 
Herbie Hancock
Johnny Depp 
Lady Gaga
Liza Minnelli
Massive Attack 
Mika 
Phil Collins 
Pino Daniele
Prince 
Simply Red 
Stefano Bollani 
Sting
The Chainsmokers 
Tony Bennett 
Vinicio Capossela  

The Marmore’s Fall, formed by the Velino and the Nera, tributaries of the Tiber, is one of the most visited natural attractions in Umbria, although it is an artificial waterfall, it has very ancient origins that date back to Roman times, in 271 BC: it is in this given that the Roman consul Manio Curio Dentato, with an ingenious hydraulic intervention, had a canal built in order to drain the stagnant waters of the Velino in the Sabina (plain of Rieti), dangerous for the nearby population, towards the Nera river. The intervention was thus called and known over time as “Cavo Curiano”.
Other interventions made to counteract flooding during periods of flooding date back to 1422, by the engineer Aristotile Fioravanti and entrusted by Braccio Fortebraccio da Montone. On this occasion a new channel called “Reatino” was built. Other interventions date back to 1547 by Antonio Da Sangallo, commissioned by Pope Paul III with the construction of a third canal. In 1601 the architect Giovanni Fontana created the “Clementine” canal in honor of Pope Clement III. Finally, in 1787 the architect Andrea Vici made the last intervention which gave the Marmore Falls its current appearance.

To date, the Marmore Falls is the highest artificial waterfall in Europe.

CURIOSITY

• The name derives from the richness of calcium carbonate on the rocks which resembles white marble.
• Today the waterfall is not only an important tourist and naturalistic attraction due to the richness of flora and fauna, from algae, mosses, ferns, insects, fish, reptiles, birds and small mammals, but it is also used for hydroelectric production.

• The waterfall is not always open at full capacity (Be careful of the opening hours so as not to miss this fascinating moment!!), and this allows you to admire the beauty and richness of the vegetation that is shown when the water flows from the waterfall it’s close. Its opening is announced by an acoustic signal. The view of the water that flows forcefully and creates a wonderful rainbow on sunny days is wonderful. The Falls can be accessed from both the Upper and Lower Belvedere.
• At night the waters of the waterfall, when open, are illuminated by a LED lighting system.
• The beauty of the Marmore Falls Park is also given by being able to admire along the way the caves that the water has dug over the centuries with stalactites and stalagmites in the travertine: some can be visited and the most famous is the LOVERS’ CAVE.

A ROMANTIC LEGEND

The Gnefro, a fairy and legendary creature of Umbrian popular culture, tells the story of the nymph named Nera who is in love with the shepherd Velino. The goddess Juno, who did not accept a love between a nymph and a human being, transformed the Black nymph into a river. Velino, believing that the Black Nymph was drowning in those hitherto unknown waters, threw himself into it. However, Jupiter, softened by pure love, also transformed the shepherd Velino into a river. Since then the Nera and Velino rivers could stay together for eternity.

DID YOU KNOW THAT

• The soprano Gina Palmucci, deeply in love with her territory, being of Terni origins, chose Nera Marmora as her stage name;
• The Cascata delle Marmore was painted by several painters and narrated by important literals such as Lord Byron;
• He is present in many films such as Federico Fellini’s Interview in 1987, Dario Argento’s Stendhal Syndrome in 1996, and again in fiction such as Don Matteo;
• In 2011 it was the location for the concert with the orchestra
• “I Filarmonici di Roma” and in 2012 the concert for the “Tribute to Sergio Endrigo” by Simone Cristicchi;
• In 2017 he starred in the advertising campaign for the promotion of Tourism in Umbria together with the former Italian diver Tania Cagnotto;
• In January 2023 it was the location for the outdoor test of the MasterChef broadcast.