Category Archives: History

Popular festivals of Subasio: San Giovanni, Grosse Cerque, Nottiano

The popular tradition is much felt in the Mount Subasio area. In June an July, at San Giovanni di Spello, Armenzano, Costa di Trex e Porziano, we celebrate, from several decades, many events by ancient flavour.

The weekend following the June 24, San Giovanni of Spello, known as “Paradise of pink stone”, celebrates its patron St. John the Baptist. This is an event full of initiatives in the sign of the friendship, but especially the Umbrian tradition. Continue reading Popular festivals of Subasio: San Giovanni, Grosse Cerque, Nottiano

June 19th, 2018

Narcissus between nature and myth

I dedicated the previous article to the cornflower because it’s my favorite flower, now we talk and know more closely, the king and the undisputed symbol of Subasio: the Narcissus.

Its name is synonymous of self-esteem, vanity and alas inability to love. Ovid, in the third book of the Metamorphoses, tells the story of this beautiful young man, son of the river Cephisus and the nymph Liriope. Many were the suitors of Narcissus, including the nymph Echo, who because of her loquacity  Continue reading Narcissus between nature and myth

January 24th, 2015

Subasio – coexistence between man and flora

Man’s relationship with Mount Subasio also concerns the flora; on one side the practice of tillage and sheep and on the other the culture collection especially of flowers, over the years have led to the disappearance of many plant species and the presence of other. After the Middle Ages in fact there has been a depletion of the variety and amount of vegetation on the mountain; the real work of reforestation began during the First World War Continue reading Subasio – coexistence between man and flora

January 24th, 2015

Theories on the origin of the name Subasio

Subasio, what is the origin of the name?
According to Gatti, Subasio could come from “sub” (below) + “Asi”: under the protection of the Asi spirits who were Norse Gods.
According to other sources, the name would have sacred origins and should draw on the cult of Sabbatius, assimilated to Bacchus, as the protector of all plant life. Continue reading Theories on the origin of the name Subasio

January 24th, 2015

Calendimaggio: the Middle Ages lives in Assisi

Middle Ages is the temporal container of the Calendimaggio, the feast that involves Assisi every year the first week of May.
The event revives passed traditions and customs:
– Pagan rites celebrating the return of spring and the renewal of the life’s cycle, popular in the ancient Umbrian people;
– Tradition of the “Songs of May”, compositions of dance poems and song in honor of the love and the rediscovered zest for life after the harsh winter, in use since the time of St. Francis;
– Rivalry between Nepis (Guelph) and Fiumi (Ghibellines), the two factions vying for power in Assisi between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Continue reading Calendimaggio: the Middle Ages lives in Assisi
March 19th, 2019

Ascension to the Subasio Mount

The Ascension at the Subasio is a classic apointment among the events of the Assisi’s region. Once again, nature, tradition and spirituality blend together to celebrate an important time of the year.

In Christian tradition, forty days after the resurrection, Jesus ascends to heaven. The population of Assisi and Spello celebrates this date climbing on the summit Continue reading Ascension to the Subasio Mount

March 19th, 2019

Gaite Market of Bevagna – medieval Umbria

In late June, the tourists who choose to spend a holiday in Assisi and Subasio Park have as a destination unmissable the Gaite Market of Bevagna. The medieval village, a short distance from Assisi, is most famous for this event that involves the entire city for ten days.
With careful examination of the ancient Statute of the Commune of Bevagna (Mevania), it comes to life a historical reconstruction with unique characteristics.

Continue reading Gaite Market of Bevagna – medieval Umbria
March 19th, 2019