San Gemini

Situated in southern Umbria, San Gemini sits on a hill stretching along the ancient Via Flaminius
Rich is history, it owes much of its fame to a mineral water spring that has been utilised commercially since 1889, which is well-known for its curative properties deriving from the unspoiled habitat of the Martani Mountains

HISTORY
The territory has been inhabited in Roman times, as proved by the numerous archaeological findings, but as can also be logically deduced by it nearness to the Via Flaminius. The original pre-Roman village, called Casventum in Roman times, took on the name San Gemini in the 9th century when a monk called Gemine from Syria started preaching there. His teachings and good works became so renowned that the town became known as his.
History tells of devastation wrought by the Saracens in 882 and the alternation of control by Narni or the Catholic Church. When the district eventually became part of the Papal States (16th century), San Gemini became fief of various families (Orsini, Bracciano, Santacroce) until the Unification of Italy in 1860.

ART, CULTURE. ENVIRONMENT
Having typical medieval architecture, the town centre offers important artistic and religious monuments, such as the church of San Francesco, built circa 1200, Gothic style, with a single central nave, gives testimony to the cult of Saint Francis in San Gemini: the church of Santo Stefano around which was built the first habitations; the priory church of San Carlo; the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, also known as the Palazzo del Popolo or Palazzo Vecchio, administrative offices; and next to that the Torre Esperia, tower built in 1318 by Maestro Matteo d'Orvieto for the bell to call town meetings.
Also of interest are the church of San Gemine (Duomo) from the 12th century, that contains the saint's relics; the abbey of San Nicolò (11th century), whose portal was sold to an antique dealer in the 30s and today is found in the Metropolitan Museum of New York.

Worthy of a visit are the Geolab Earth Sciences Museum with interesting interactive displays aimed at promoting Earth Sciences; Museo dell'Opera di Guido Calori exhibiting the paintings and sculptures of Guido Calori, as well as the files, drawings, sketches, and tools coming from his studio in Rome.

Of considerable interest is the Carsulae Archaeological Area, which was an ancient Roman municipium of the 3rd century B.C. that grew around the Via Flaminia: the excavations and research carried out have brought to light a good part of the Forum, including the remains of the basilica and twin temples; the Theatre and Ampitheatre; and the beautiful Arch of San Damiano, beyond which can be found funeral monuments of particular interest. Next to the Forum the attractive medieval church of San Damiano was built with archaeological finds from the area

The ruins of Carsulae: The archaeological site is one of the most important and "choreographic" of the region, and is situated on a marvellous natural backdrop. The tour winds through the site following the remains of the Roman road, which in the urban centre is paved and flanked by sidewalks. Near the Arco di Traiano (or Arco di San Damiano), an access point to the city, are two monumental tombs. Inside the walls, you proceed along the ruins of the vast forum (40 by 60 metres), with the bases of two small twin temples and the basilica with apse and three naves, then reach the Church of San Damiano, built over a Roman edifice. Off the road, you find the excavations of the amphitheatre and the theatre made of bricks, where you can distinguish the cavea, the first two tiers of seats, and the foundations of the stage.

TO VISIT
the church of San Gemine
the abbey of S. Nicolò
Carsulae

EVENTS
"Teatro in musica", theatre competition (April)
Antichi Sapori, festival of traditional foods (end May)
Infiorata del Corpus Domini, flower displays
San Gemini World Music Festival (July)
Campus delle Arti e dei Saperi, educational festival (July - September)
Giostra dell'Arme, historical re-enactment of games (last Saturday of September to 2nd Sunday of October)
Feast day of San Gemini's patron saint (9 October)
Feast day of the Madonna di San Carlo (October)
National Piano Competition of San Gemini (end October)
San Gemini Running Competition - Carsulae (October)

"Giostra dell'Arme": Every year during the period from the last Sunday of September for two weeks, San Gemini celebrates the feast of its patron saint with a series of interesting historical and folkloristic pageants.
The main representants of these events are the two town quarters, the "rione" of "Rocca" and that of "Piazza", who for centuries have divided the town into two competitive gameful fractions. The town quarters become rivals in charming cerimonies: parades which show off splendid 15th century habits, attraverse the whole center of the town in order to give the heralds the opportunity of reading out "proclamations" which poke fun at events and persons of the other quarter.
Furthermore, the revocation of historical events of the town or spectacles of various forms of art, always ambientated during the Middle Ages, render people enthusiastic. During all of this period the town becomes a harmonious and cromatic sublimation thanks to the play of standards and flags representing the colours of the two town quarters.
In occasion of this event exhibitions of handicrafts, painting and typical Umbrian products are inaugurated, without counting the "colour" lent by the re-opening of the caracteristic "tabernae" (taverns) of the town's 9 quarters, and which involve the town's inhabitants as well as the tourists in a festive atmosphere.
The show's high point is reached on October 9th with the Feast of St. Gemine.
A historical parade of about 150 persons all in costume, which re-evocates the cerimonial in use during the 15th century winds through the streets of the town until it reaches the Cathedral where, during the religious functions rituals are offered to the patron saint St. Gemine. At the end of the day opened by the historical parade the traditional religious procession takes place.
On the following Sunday, the town quarters are again in evidence; with two distinct parades they make their solemm entrance into the "Campo della Giostra" (Jousting Field) in order to offer the large crowd present various exhibitions and spectacles. Afterwards, the turns of the flag-carriers of the group "Casventum" of San Gemini take place. Dulcis in fundo, at the end of the exhibitions of the town quarters the competition of the "Palio", a jousting tournament, takes place, being a equestrian team competition. Its most spectacular trial is represented by the throwing of a pole against a goal which has the shape of a noble coat of arms.

TO TASTE
As in Roman times, San Gemini is famous for its curative mineral water.
Wine, extra virgin olive-oil, salami and cold meats are skilfully prepared using traditional methods, along with salt bread, cheese pizza and savoury pies.
Bakers renew old tradition specialties like pampepato

Local dishes
Picchiarelli alla sangeminese: homemade pasta with spicy tomatoe-sauce