I mori gelsi - Fattoria Spinola

Fattoria Spinola was a convent of nuns in the late thirteenth century.
In fact, there is still a private consecrated chapel with frescoes dating back approximately at the beginning of the fourteenth century.
Unfortunately, these frescoes are very damaged, either because they have been discovered by Antonio Spinola (my grandfather) only in the early '900 - at that time this room was used for storage of farm and it was painted white - and because during the 1997 earthquake many pieces of fresco were detached from the ceiling.
We do not have the possibility to restore it because it is quite expensive.
During the post-earthquake restoration, we discovered that the facade of the chapel had been hidden by plaster. In fact, the part of the building next to the Chapel was added at a later time (1600).We decided to leave out the plaster original brick facade with the frame of the original roof (lowest building constructed later).
Around 1700 the Fattoria Spinola became the country house of the noble family Goga (now extinct). You can still see the emblem on the altar of the Chapel and stone at the entrance to my house.
In 1818, the last Cardinal Spinola family (SPINOLA, Hugh Peter * 1791-1858) was sent to Perugia by Pope and bought about 3,000 acres of homes, land, villas. He was the uncle of my grandfather, that's why his death left him and his brothers all his possessions. My grandfather happened to the Fattoria Spinola with 70 acres of land.

April to October is the best time to visit this green region, which has large lakes, beautiful mountains, chateaux, impressive monasteries and cathedrals. This region has an atmosphere of medieval mystery because many of the great saints come from here.
Luckily there are lots of exciting towns in Umbria. Many of these towns are rich in architectural treasures especially from the Middle Ages plus there are a great many art collections.
The town of Torgiano still preserves its typical medieval appearance and the remains of its ancient walls.The Museum of Wine is of great interest, containing a precious collection of storical documents regarding various sectors: the art of wine-growing and wine-making, and artistic, folkloristic and bibliografic documentation on the subject.
You may also admire a very precious collection of maiolica dating back to th 17th and 18th centuries. The fortified part of the town is siuated between the middle of the Tiber valley and that of the Umbrian valley.
Here, the cultivation of the vine is an ancient art as is evidenced by the testimonial of archeologicals finds, and by a sketch dating back to the 14th century.

The zone is characterized by agriculture, consisting in the coltivation of various food-stuffs, and by craftsmanship, above all, the pottery trade.

The Museum of Wine is the most qualified in all of Italy, with its collections of tecnical instruments, prints dating back to various times, specialized craftsmanship and folkloristic documents.