Strada Bianca in Umbria, the “green heart” of Italy
Here we have a classic view of a group of farmhouses in Umbria, the “green heart” of Italy, with a typical strada bianca running between the hedges. A strada bianca (plural strade bianche) means neither more nor less than a “dirt road”. The significance of the term, which is widely used, is that we have a great many dirt roads in Tuscany and Umbria and they are well worth exploring. Most of them run to case coloniche (farm houses) which are usually quite picturesque, but if you study your map you’ll find many back roads leading to ancient castles, monasteries and similar sights of interest.
These roads support car traffic as long as you don’t try to drive too fast, but are ideal for bicycling and especially for walking excursions. If you’re visiting Tuscany or Umbria for ten days or more, I strongly recommend that you set aside at least one day for a stroll through the countryside. There’s no better way to get to know the real Tuscany or Umbria.
More about the strade bianche of Tuscany.
More about the wild orchids of Tuscany.
More about the Region of Umbria.
About Elena Spolaor
Although Elena was born in Venice, she was brought up in Tuscany and is a historian and frequent contributor to online articles about life in Tuscany and Umbria. Her specialities are Tuscan and Umbrian local history and folklore.
- Web |
- More Posts(58)
Here are some similar topics:
Norcia, Umbria, home of pork sausages, lentils and truffles
The town of Norcia, in the highlands of Umbria, is the source of some of the best pork products in all of Italy – also, strangely enough, a source of excellent lentils and black truffles. Norcia is famous in part because Saint Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine monastic order, and his twin sister, Saint… 
Tempio di San Michele Arcangelo in Perugia, Umbria
The Temple or Church of Saint Michael Archangel (Tempio di San Michele Arcangelo, Chiesa di Sant’Angelo) near Perugia, probably dates from the 5 C but was constructed on the remains of a Roman temple which in its turn was built on a site sacred to the Etruscans. This extremely attractive building has twin fascinations for… 
The duomo of Orvieto, one of the great buildings of the world
If ever a building was deserving of its spectacular location, the duomo (cathedral) of Orvieto is it. The duomo of Orvieto, one of the great buildings of the world, towers above the palazzi, villas and houses of Orvieto while the town itself is perched high on a tufa butte above the surrounding hills. The… 
Roman bridge of Augustus at Narni in Umbria, Italy
One of the most spectacular and historically interesting Roman sights in central Italy is the Roman bridge of Augustus at Narni in Umbria, Italy. The bridge spans the Nera river and was one of the largest bridges in the Roman Empire. Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot famously depicted it in a painting of 1826. The bridge at… 
Posted in 
Tags: 
