Casale Flaminia
Welcome to the green heart of Italy on the ancient via Flaminia route
Welcome to Casale Flaminia, a private 17th-century home and country house, set in the green heartland of Italy surrounded by the rolling hills of Umbria and medieval villages on the ancient Flaminia route, providing creative spaces for visitors who want to connect with our local art community in Spoleto, and our small agriculture settlement on the edge of our top-hill village Acquaiura.
ABOUT US
Casale Flaminia has been inhabited for centuries by farmers and the village was a refreshment place for the papal troops and messengers who camped in the valley near the source of water, hence the name of our top-hill settlement Acquaiura.
Casale Flaminia grounds cover 1.5 hectares of garden, meadow and woodland on the edge of the top-hill village Acquaiura built around the year 1000 AD along the Flaminia route, which departs from Rome to the Adriatic sea and leads directly to the heart of the medieval town of Spoleto, a culturally vibrant community that pre-dates Rome.
Meticulously decorated and furnished to the Umbrian style, all rooms come with en-suite bathrooms, community kitchen, laundry, and workshop facilities in the former stables below the bedrooms overlooking the rolling Umbrian countryside and our sacred forest of Bona Dea, which 2000 years ago provided a sanctuary for women with rites that sanctified the temporary removal of customary constraints imposed on Roman women of all classes by Roman tradition.
Situated in the Perugia province, the location is ideal to discover central Italy visiting the beautiful medieval towns of Umbria with the city of Spoleto, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, only seven kilometres away.
RESIDENCIES
At Casale Flaminia we have welcomed artists and writers in residence since 2018, providing an opportunity to work in quiet and inspiring surroundings in the company of fellow artists, writers, novelists, and poets.
- Artist in Residence Sessions -
Artist-in-residence sessions give artists and writers the opportunity to live and work outside of their usual environments, providing them with time to reflect, research, or produce work. Much like study abroad programs for younger people, artist-in-residence sessions are often aimed at emerging artists and can create deep, meaningful impact on their life and work.
If your are interested to stay as an Artist-in-Residence at Casale Flaminia, please contact us here.
AGRICULTURE
Casale Flaminia has been inhabited for centuries by farmers and the village was a refreshment place for the papal troops and messengers who camped in the valley near the source of water, hence the name of the top-hill settlement Acquaiura.
- WWOOFers -
Casale Flaminia is promoting WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms), a worldwide movement to link visitors (WWOOFers) with local organic farms and family homes, promoting a cultural and educational exchange, and build a global community conscious of ecological farming and sustainability practices.
- Inviting WWOOFers -
As a WWOOFer, you are invited to participate in the daily life of our small farming community on the edge of the top hill village Acquaiura built around the year 1000 AD on the ancient Via Flaminia route, help in the garden and woodland, learn about sustainability and experience the Italian culture.
- Hosting WWOOFers -
As a host, we are looking forward to welcome WWOOFers to our 17th century home, with free room and board during your stay. Suited for visitors who want to connect with agriculture, organic food, and our sacred forest Bona Dea - together supporting sustainable living.
If your are interested to stay as a WWOOFer at Casale Flaminia, you can contact us here.
FACILITIES
WiFi
Free WiFi access is available throughout the premises, enabling remote working.
Gardens
Relax in the gardens overlooking the rolling Umbrian hills. Help yourself to fruits from the trees and vegetables from the land.
Sacred Forest
Get lost in our sacred forest of Bona Dea which provided a sanctuary 2000 years ago for Roman women.
Workshops
The 17th century stables under the Casale provide creative workshop spaces.
Kitchen
Shared kitchen fully equipped and stocked with refreshments, local ingredients, and groceries with Italian recipes.
IMPRESSIONS
You can find impressions of Casale Flaminia here. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.
BONA DEA
The woodland of Casale Flaminia contains a sacred site manifested by the ancient goddess Bona Dea and 2000 years ago provided a sanctuary for women with rites that sanctified the temporary removal of customary constraints imposed on Roman women of all classes by Roman tradition.
"The Bona Dea releasing in a most beautiful colourful canvas what is past... to draw down deep with. To move to stillness, to nourish and replenish."
- Sandy Marie Humby, Writer in Residence -
- Visiting Artist -
The solo artist Lina Hermsdorf was a frequent visitor at Casale Flaminia working on her art film project during her artist-in-residence at the Mahler&LeWitt Studios in Spoleto.
The project is centred around the Lucus Bona Dea here at Acquaiura, a little known ancient sacred forest on the land of Casale Flaminia dedicated to the Roman goddess Bona Dea and 2000 years ago provided a sanctuary for women with rites that sanctified the temporary removal of customary constraints imposed on Roman women of all classes by Roman tradition.
Lucas Bona Dea by solo artist Lina Hermsdorf is exhibited in London at Jupiter Woods, a female led arts organisation.
TREKKING
- Monte Fionchi -
Casale Flaminia (750 M) is located at the foot of Monte Fionchi (1337 M) with stunning trekking trails from 10 km to 15 km, starting in front of our doorsteps.
- Environmental Protection Zone -
The surrounding area of Monte Fionchi is an environmental protection zone, its pastures are inhabited by many rare and endangered species, such as the Honey Buzzard, the Short Toed Eagle, the Golden Eagle, the Lanner Falcon, the Peregrine Falcon, the Rock Thrush and the Rock Bunting.