At Home in Umbria
Deeply Rooted like the olive,
With a sweetness like the vine,
Fresh memories become new branches
As the old ones become entwined.
We, the owners, may not have been born here - we are American - but our love for Italy is genuine and deeply rooted.
Our name may not be Italian - El Marsam is an Arabic word that means "where the artist paints" - but our beloved farmhouse is 100% extra-virgin Umbrian!
Come, travel with us. The main road from Umbertide is serene with its umbrella pines that introduce the countryside about to welcome you. Tall, green-black cypresses line the first gentle ascent into the hillside northeast of the city; the road winds its way through fields of golden sunflowers, each one a tightly woven knot in this magnificent Umbrian carpet. As you leave the asphalt road, proceeding on strada bianca - the white gravel road - the passage narrows through tall hedges that frame vineyards. You pass a lovely villa and up the hill, a little farther is the wrought iron gate of El Marsam, our home in Umbria.
Spazzavento, its original name, means sweeping winds. It is a stone farmhouse on the outskirts of Umbertide in the northern region of Umbria. It is uncertain when the first foundations of the house were laid, but estimates put its age at between three and four hundred years. The ancient loggia windows flood the house with light and refreshing breezes sweep across the hilltop, living up to the name the house was given centuries ago. As with all farmhouses in the Umbrian countryside, the original house consisted of animal stalls below and living quarters for the family above. Spazzavento, abandoned in the middle of the 20th century, remained vacant for several decades. The arched loggia was crudely bricked up and the house left in disrepair; but, it has a long history that has touched the lives of many of the locals. During the war, it was one of the few places in the area which had not been bombed, and consequently, is where many townsfolk fled to find at least a roof over their head. Food, of course, was another matter. Today, the farmhouse is surrounded by vineyards, gardens, olive groves and fruit orchards, providing not just beauty but also an abundance of pleasure for the palette.
The land, like the house, had suffered from neglect and it was the previous owner who lavished interminable vision, energy and funds to bring it back to life. He planted the olive trees and the fruit orchard. Mike has added new trees to the olive grove, several more fruit trees and a small vineyard. The harvests are more bountiful each year, providing fruits, vegetables, olive oil and wine for family consumption and the enjoyment of friends and family. In addition, Mike now raises a small gaggle of geese and ducks and is careful not to “name them”, making it somewhat easier to bring them to the dinner table.
The
house sits on a little over three acres of land at approximately 1200
feet elevation. It is reported to have
the most beautiful view of Umbertide and the surrounding countryside.
Indeed, as you look to the left you see
the Castle Ranieri; straight ahead on a clear
day - distant hamlets;
to the right up high is Monte Acuto and the ancient monastery of
Montecorona; and far to the right below, sits
Umbertide with its 16th
century octagonal church and medieval fortress.
Located in Umbertide, Italy in the Perugia region, El Marsam is a three-hour drive north from Rome or a two-hour drive south of Florence.
Nearby, Umbria and Tuscany await to be explored: such medieval gems as Gubbio, Assisi, Deruta, Perugia, Cortona, Arezzo and Spoleto. The surrounding landscapes offer endless inspiration for my painting. We are truly blessed.
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Copyright © by Ginda Simpson - All rights reserved |