Turn on the water!

Monday 26^th May

Today we took a drive to the town of Spoleto. We didn’t have a lot of information about Spoleto but we had heard of it so decided to visit. The road we had planned to take over the mountains was closed (or at least that is what we interpreted from the signs) so we had to go the long way around through the town of Terni. The road to Spoleto winds up through the hills, one lane each way and double lines most of the way, so the journey can be slow. Not so for the Italians – what do double lines mean? They mean move into the bike lane you slow car so I can go past. There are some really desperate drivers here. It goes against the grain to pass over double lines but we found ourselves doing the ‘while in Rome….’ thing.

Spoleto revealed itself – again at the top of a hill, and on top of the hill was a castle. We visited the castle from where you had a great view of the old aqueduct and over the whole town, which is much bigger than just the historic centre. To get to the castle from the car parking there is a series of escalators – at least 8 I think and each about 2 stories – and then the last part of the trip up is in a lift which is at least 3 or 4 floors. A long way up! We struck out with the museum at the castle because it is closed on Mondays.

The castle (la Rocca) at Spoleto.

View across to one of the churches at Spoleto.

The old Roman aqueduct. The height of this thing
above the valley was quite incredible
and to think that this is all built with man power. 

The courtyard of the castle, and the six sided well
which was quite unusual.

The upstairs gallery of the courtyard with a lot of frescoes.
This castle saw a time as a prison in the 1800s
and during this time a lot of the original work was destroyed.

Where might this little door go to?

Aha!!

From the castle the view to the north was quite surprising. We had come in from the south via a twisting uphill road through forested country, but to the north was a huge wide open valley as far as the eye could see.

 

View over Spoleto and the valley to the north.

A lovely view of the Umbrian countryside.

Our next visit was to the Cascata della Marmore (waterfall). I did joke that maybe it was closed on Mondays too - this was not quite the case, but the waterfall is on the hydro dam and they only open the gates twice a day for an hour each time, and we weren’t there at the right time – so waterfall closed!  We did get to go back later in the day when the gates were open so we did see the waterfall at full power.

 

The waterfall once the gates are open.

These artists are all trying to paint the waterfall
 - hope they are quick because it is only full-on
 for one hour.

Today was supposed to be washing day but the Laundromats we were told about in the town of Terni were either closed or no longer there so no washing. Tomorrow we need to find a Laundromat – or somewhere to buy new undies!

More about our B&B - they have 2 dogs, both german shepherds and quite old; at least 17 cats and kittens (they need a vet in the family!) and ducks. The cats are experts in sneaking in when the door is open and while standing outside today I saw the kitchen window open, cat come flying out, and then again. Fausto, the owner, was a lovely friendly man with a good smattering of English so we were able to have conversation with him and his daughter Marta. We enjoyed our stay here though the only issue was there weren't really many choices for dinner. 

Our B&B at San Gemini