TRAVERSE 49
TRAVEL- ITALY
MEGAN GOVERNI
THINKING OF ROM-COMS
An unassuming town sits atop a small hill, access is via a handful of steeps roads through what could be considered the ancient town walls. It’ s a scene that could be almost anywhere in central Italy, especially the Umbria region, although this felt a little different. The road we were on wound through thickly wooded lands, the occasional clearing gave way to farmyards and working sheds, it was a scene from a Hollywood romantic comedy, the sort my partner turns his nose up to, I on the other hand fall for the romance every time, this was an Italy I was familiar with.
The woodlands gave way to a few houses, all constructed of stone, all from a bygone era. Our road turned and headed up a steep incline the buildings were now substantial, we were within the walled city, indeed a town with a history that goes beyond what most people associate with Italy and the surrounds.
Pietralunga has evidence that the area was inhabited well into prehistoric times, a human leg bone fashioned into a‘ flute’ provides enough history that this region was settled well before Roman times. It’ s said that the ancient Umbrian people first created a township, what is now known as Pietralunga, around the second century BCE. This then slipped into the empire known as Rome, the remains of numerous constructions still adorn the township, walls, roads, aqueducts, even villas.
Park your bike by the town square and walk the old streets, it ' s the perfect way to absorb the history, every narrow lane has a story to tell, and if you can’ t see it the people of this little town are more than willing to try and explain.
The town square, the Piazza
Fiorucci, is the best place to start. It’ s here the story of Pietralunga really begins. As with most
TRAVERSE 49