Today is a giorno di festivo (holiday) in Perugia in honor of one of its three patron saints, San' Constanzo. You can read about the Saint, if so inclined, here: http://www.medioevoinumbria.it/home/chiesa-di-san-costanzo-perugia/
They advertise the festa (and other happenings) on big posters they glue to the walls over other big posters from bygone events.
Legend has it that those who want to get married should go to the Chiesa di San Constanzo on his feast day and pray for a spouse. If the statute winks at you, you will be married within the year. If it doesn't, you get to eat the consolation prize, il torcolo, a pastry made only in Perugia. They give away free torcolo and vino del Santo on Piazza Maggiore but it was all gone by the time we arrived (apparently they started serving at 12:15 and it was gone at 12:20). Il torcolo is a sweet bread, made in a circle with a hole in the middle so it resembles a halo. It has pine nuts and raisins in it.
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| church tower behind market |
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| church courtyard |
There was also a market in the streets near the church, but the church was closed when we got there! No spouses for us! We know that most things are closed from 12-3 or 4, but we thought the church would be open for the festa. We ran into a large group of our classmates who were all disappointed in their failure to have a chance to ask the saint for spouses. They were off to drown their sorrows in the local wine, Grecheto. We bought 3 bottles of Grechetto for 10 euros from one of the banchieri (they let you taste in first and actually pour a pretty healthy sample) and some pecorino from another stand--aged 2 years and incredibly delicious. What with walking up and down all the hills and stairs, it is time for a pisolino (nap)--but first I must study pronomi combinati (combined pronouns). I kind of ignored them when taking classes in Seattle, figuring I could cheat and always use nouns but that really sounds pretty stupid, so here I go. Following are a few pictures from the day. Buona giornata!
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Porta Romana, one of the 5 ancient gates and the beginning of the market
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| many cheese and salami stands, "prodotti tipici" |
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| giant balls of fresh mozzarella--yummy! |
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| obligatory war memorial |
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| you can see Tom lingering by the camera store--still trying to choose the perfect camera for his birthday present |
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| On a clear day like today you can see the mountains--reminds me of Seattle, because they are often not visible |
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