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No need to go to Provence to enjoy the perfume and colors of these lovely purple flowers. Just drive up to Tuscania (100 kms north of Rome) for the first Festa della Lavanda, which will be tomorrow at the newly restored San Giusto Abbey. The festival marks the official opening of the newly restored San Giusto Abbey, just outside of Tuscania.
Hidden until recently among the brambles of the Marta river valley, this architectural jewel has been given a new lease on life thanks to the hard work of Mauro Checcoli, (a 1964 Olympic gold medalist in horseback riding), who purchased the land years ago from a local farmer. This abbey was one of the area’s most important cultural and economic sites between the 12th and 15th centuries.
From 10 o’clock Saturday morning, July 3rd, to Sunday evening at 10 p.m, the newly re-discovered and restored Cistercian Abbey will resound with music, serve traditional grilled food and bruschette, wine tastings, biscuits, honey and even gelato… all flavored with lavender. For the ladies, a special floral gift and the chance to feel the relaxing effect of lavender oil with massages, cosmetics and sachets.
The lavender fields however, will definitely be stealing the show.
What a beautiful picture! Even without my senses physically exposed to the lavendar, I feel the serenity just looking at the scenic view. Bella Italia….Grazie mille!
This looks so wonderful! We just did a post on lavender a few weeks ago and I am totally in love with everything about it. HOWEVER, I’d like to be in Tuscania instead!!! Oh, sigh!!!
Gorgeous photo of the lavender fields!!!
More than just lavender, the important thing is the intelligent mix of ancient architecture with modern day living; the recuperation of the abbey and using it as venue for a festival. Thanks to Cinzia Stucchi for the bottom photo of sunset over the fields of lavender. Christina, how about adding here your lavender ice cream recipe?
I have friends in California who recently attended the Ojai Lavender Festival, had I known about the Tuscania event, I would have made them very jealous! Wonderful photos and information… now let’s hear that recipe for lavender gelato!!!!
Ciao
Just returned from a week in Tuscany with 18 of my family members. Sorry to have missed this great festival!!
A lot of people confuse Tuscania with Tuscany. Tuscania is a lovely town in Northern LAZIO, just a few miles from my town, Vetralla. It was very hot today around 38-40° C. Now , dinner time here,the cool breezes have begun. Tomorrow promises to be another scorcher.
By the way I bought some great lavender oil, sachets, garden ornaments and a beautiful Deruta table for the terrace.
Wonderful article and the picture is beyond stunning. I am glad a lot of people confuse Tuscania with Tuscany. It keeps this more beautiful of the two less run over with people. Those who know can enjoy in peace.
Simply beauitful!!
Thank you :)
Love the photos. I hope to get to Italy someday to enjoy the Lavender and all the wonderful cuisine. In the meantime I enjoy my Lavender farm in New Jersey – yes, New Jersey! Pleasant Valley Lavender is the only Lavender farm in the state and I love hanging out in the fields and having guests come enjoy the beauty, serenity and the scents all around. Find us on Facebook and look for our website soon.
We have traveled through France and have been to Venice, Rome, Florence and Sicily. However, we are not familiar with the lavender fields of Northern Italy. It is wonderful to know. The photo is superb.