Castle in the Middle Ages

Court Life: How People Lived in the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, a castle was not only a defensive fortification, but also a vital centre, a microcosm reflecting the society and culture of the time. Every day, within the robust walls of a medieval castle, stories of power, intrigue and complex social relations were woven. The Torre Alfina Castle stands as a living testimony to medieval life, with its daily routine of strategies, duties and moments of great pomp.
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A Typical Medieval Day

The castle came alive at dawn: bells called servants and ladies to their daily tasks. The knights practised in the courtyardpreparing for possible battles or tournaments, while the ladies supervised the running of the mansion. The lord of the castle, meanwhile, was in charge of of land administration and political issues.

In the afternoon, the courtyard could turn into an arena for knightly tournamentsevents that not only entertained, but also served to strengthen alliances and prove the valour of knights. But there was no shortage of intrigue: medieval castles were also places of alliances and conflictswhere political and family relationships were mixed with games of power and cunning. The day usually culminated with convivial banquetsduring which political strategies were discussed and family ties strengthened.

The Role of the Ladies in the Castle

La checkers of the castle played a key role in the daily housekeeping and child-rearing. In addition to domestic tasks, women were often engaged in theland administration, resource management and easement supervision. In the absence of the lord, they could even hire responsibility for the defence of the castlecoordinating the protection of the walls and ensuring supplies during possible sieges.
Their skills in embroidery, weaving and the arts were appreciated, but also their political intelligence could make a difference at critical moments. Ladies actively participated in marriage strategies, often used to strengthen alliances between families. Some of them exerted great influence in political affairs, advising husbands and sons on matters of politics and diplomacy.

Medieval Dinner: Recipes and Curiosities

Medieval cuisine in the Torre Alfina Castle reflected the resources available in Tuscia Viterbese. During banquets, they served local game meat, such as wild boar and hareaccompanied by spicy sauces. Spices, often imported, were a sign of prestige and used to flavour and preserve food. The wine, produced in the nearby hillswas the main drink, while sweets, such as honey and fruit cakes, were a luxury reserved for special occasions.
Among the medieval recipes of Tuscia, handed down and still widespread today, we find acquacottaa soup of peasant origin prepared with seasonal vegetables, stale bread and sometimes eggs or cheese. In the confectionery tradition of Viterbo, one then finds the mortarioli, honey biscuitsalmonds and cinnamon, of medieval origin, appreciated even by St Francis.

How the Castle of Torre Alfina was Defended

The defence of Torre Alfina Castle was based on strong walls, watchtowers and a strategic location on high ground. The knights wore heavy armour and used swords and spears in battle. Bows and crossbows were employed for long-distance defence. But defence was not only limited to physical battle: other stratagems were common. Medieval castles were designed to survive long sieges: the wells for water and food supplies were essential to withstand prolonged periods without supplies. Some castles, such as Torre Alfina, also had secret passages and hidden chambersto protect the lord's family in the event of an attack.

Living in the Castle of Torre Alfina during the Middle Ages meant immersing oneself in a reality of fascination and responsibility. Life was not only about parties, banquets and tournaments, but also about sacrifices, duties and everyday life. Today, by visiting this magnificent fortress in Tuscia Viterbese, we can relive the stories of those who lived there and appreciate the cultural heritage they left us.

 

The seasons at the castle

The Castle Through the Seasons: Journey through Nature and History

The Torre Alfina Castle is not only a historical marvel, but also a place that changes and transforms with the passing of the seasons. Each time of year brings with it a unique atmosphere, capable of enriching the visit and transforming the experience into a sensorial and historical journey. From spring blossoms, to summer evenings under the stars, to the intimate and mysterious charm of winter: each season offers a special opportunity to explore the castle and its secrets.
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Spring at the Castle: colours and scents

The passing of the seasons transforms Torre Alfina Castle, giving it a different charm each time. Spring marks the awakening of colours and life. The Renaissance garden, which during the winter rests in silence, now comes alive with the lush growth of plants and the explosion of green that pervades every corner. And meanwhile the fresh spring air makes every corner of the castle even more magical.
One of the most impressive experiences is combine a visit to the castle with a walk in the Sasseto Monumental Foresta place of rare beauty that is transformed into a true enchantment during the spring season. This centuries-old forest, famous for its majestic holm oaks and beech treesoffers an ideal route for those who love nature and wish to lose themselves among the ancient trees. Walking among the ancient trees, you will perceive the atmosphere of an enchanted worldwhere large hollow logs, twisted branches and boulders of ancient lava flow seem to bend down as you pass. And then, suddenly, the Mausoleum of Edward Cahen, the Temple of Fairies, as it is affectionately called by visitorsa Gothic mausoleum that stands majestically in the heart of the forest. Embraced by unspoilt nature, the mausoleum creates a fascinating contrast between art and natural beautytransforming the forest into a place where time seems to stand still and nature and history merge into a magical, enveloping picture.

Events under the Stars and Summer Concerts

Summer at Torre Alfina Castle is synonymous with magic and mystery. The long summer evenings offer the perfect opportunity to experience the castle in a more evocative dimension. The soft moonlight creates the ideal environment to enjoy events under the stars and outdoor showssuch as the music concerts that enliven the castle during this period. Among the most popular events is the Torre Alfina Blues Festivalwhich transforms the castle into an exclusive stage for talented artists. The unique setting of the castle makes each performance even more special by creating a unique and engaging atmosphere.

Autumn between Foliage and Mysteries

Autumn is the season that more than any other transforms the Torre Alfina Castle in an enchanted place, thanks to foliage colouring the landscape. The surrounding hillsdotted with oaks, maples and ash trees, light up with golden, red and orange hues, creating a breathtaking panorama. In this fairytale setting, the castle opens its doors not only for the daytime guided tours, dedicated to its history and artistic heritage. Every last Friday of the month the atmosphere becomes even more atmospheric. At nightfall special themed night tours come to life mysteries and legends. A Candlelight Journey between fascinating tales and ancient beliefs, where the castle's past is intertwined with the fascination of the unknown.

Culture and Special Visits in Winter

Winter at Torre Alfina Castle is a fascinating experience. In this season, the castle hosts cultural events of great interestsuch as book presentations, lectures and readings that attract writers and literature enthusiasts. Its ancient halls become intimate and cosy, an ideal refuge to immerse oneself in the pleasure of literary discovery.
And what time of year would be most suitable for experience the best of periodic candlelight mystery evenings? With the charms of Halloween still in the air, the Torre Alfina Castle immerses itself in an even more fascinating and disturbing atmosphere. Flickering candlelight envelops every corner, enhancing the charm of its rooms and accompanying visitors in a immersive tour discovering the restless souls and ghosts which, according to the legendsstill inhabit the castle. Between dancing shadows and silences full of history, the experience becomes a journey between fantastic stories and tales of personalities who marked the past of this ancient fortress.

A Castle for every Season

The Castle of Torre Alfina is a place that never ceases to enchantoffering its visitors a new experience as the seasons change. From the scents of spring to the warm colours of autumn, from the coolness of summer evenings to the cosiness of winter. With its timeless magic, our castle always offers different emotions, transforming with each season to give its visitors a Unforgettable journey through history, nature and fascination.

Moai Vitorchiano Statue

Moai Vitorchiano Statue: History and Curiosities

Just a few kilometres from Viterbo lies Vitorchiano, the splendid village in Tuscia suspended on volcanic rocks. And here you will find the only Moai statue in the world, outside Easter Island.
Table of contents:
  1. What is a suspended village
  2. What is the Moai of Vitorchiano
  3. What a Moai looks like
  4. Where is the Italian Moai

Just fifteen minutes by car from Viterbo, stands Vitorchiano, an ancient village and historical jewel set among the volcanic rocks of Tuscia. Considered one of the most evocative historic centres in the province of Viterboalso enjoys the prestigious accolade of one of the "most beautiful villages in Italy". And here we also find the only original Moai monolith in the world, outside theEaster Island (o Rapa Nui).

What Borgo Sospeso means

The integrity of its ancient core, the dwellings that seem to blend harmoniously with the peperino cliffs on which they are erected, give Vitorchiano its distinctive appellation: the Borgo Sospeso. The origin of this name lies in the unique geology of the area. Deposits of volcanic material, shaped over millennia by volcanic activity, have created the imposing cliffs on which the villages of Tuscia. However, what makes Vitorchiano truly special is its peperino bank, fractured into enormous boulders, on which the buildings of the village rest directly. This peculiarity creates a fascinating visual illusion, making it seem as if the village has been carved into the rock. The houses, clinging and overhanging, merge with the lava rock, creating a perfect harmony with the Vezza Valley and the surrounding landscape, rich in oak, ash, beech, elm and chestnut forests.

What is the Moai of Vitorchiano

And it was precisely the abundance of peperino that made Vitorchiano the perfect place to build a gigantic Moai statue. The Moai statues are anthropomorphic monoliths carved by the indigenous Polynesian population Rapa Nui (which is also the original name of Easter Island), mostly between 1100 and 1500. They are veritable stone giants up to 21 metres high, probably augural monoliths bringing wellbeing and prosperity wherever they look. The Moai of Vitorchiano was built in 1990 by the Atan family, originally from Rapa Nui and consisting of 19 people. The occasion for the construction of the Vitorchiano monolith was the RAI television programme 'In Search of the Ark' by the journalist Mino D'Amato. Intent on promoting the restoration of the Easter Island Moai, the journalist was looking in Italy for a stone that was as close as possible to the volcanic stone from which the giants of Rapa Nuiwith which to create an Italian Moai. Vitorchiano, home of the peperino, was identified as the ideal place to realise the work, and the Atan family the right craftsmen.

What the Moai of Vitorchiano looks like

After months of work, the Atans created an original Moai by working the stone with the same ancient techniques used on Easter Island for the construction of the original Maoi. From an artistic point of view, the Moai of Vitorchiano is a testimony to the skill and mastery of the sculptors. Faithful to the originals, the statue has deep grooves, hard, simple and linear features, and fine details such as the long ears, the emphasised navel and the tapered hands clinging to the belly. Even today, the Moai of Vitorchiano represents the only Moai sculpture stone of original dimensions, present outside theEaster Island.

Where the Moai of Vitorchiano is located

The Moai statue has gone through various locations over the years. First located in the centre of Piazzale Umberto I, in 2007 it was temporarily transferred to Sardinia to be displayed in an exhibition of pre-Columbian art. Returning to Vitorchiano after nine months, the statue found its definitive location on Largo Padre Ettore Salimbeni, in the municipality's camper van area that overlooks the suggestive belvedere of the "Borgo Sospeso“.

The Moai of Vitorchiano, with its imposing presence and fascinating history, stands as an icon of one of Italy's most beautiful villages, representing a unique link between the millenary history of Easter Island and the timeless beauty of Vitorchiano, the suspended village of Tuscia.

christmas 2023

The Magic of Christmas 2023 is Lit in Medieval Villages

Christmas has arrived and among the alleyways of the picturesque villages around the Torre Alfina Castle, the magic is kindled with a series of unique and engaging events for the entire community.
Table of contents:
  1. Tradition in Torre Alfina
  2. Trevinano for young and old
  3. Markets and street artists in Acquapendente

Christmas 2023: Tradition in Torre Alfina

Let's start close up, from the magnificent village of Alfina Tower. On Tuesday, 26 December, at 9pm, at the former Agraria hall in Piazzale Sant'Angelo, Tombolata 2023 is scheduled, a fun occasion to share moments of joy and conviviality with fellow citizens and anyone else who would like to participate. Delicious refreshments will also be provided.
On Friday 29 December, again at 21:00, the former Agraria hall will come alive with a Karaoke Evening and entertainment provided by 'Louis Song'. An opportunity to test your singing skills and spend a carefree evening in the company of others.

Games for young and old in Trevinano

Twenty-five kilometres from Torre Alfina, the village of Trevinano dresses up for the holidays with many events for young and old. On Saturday 23 December at 15:00, the streets of the village will be animated by the "Grinch" show designed for the little ones, followed by the suggestive arrival of the pipers at 16:00. At 18:30, another show, "Eklissi", will involve adults and children in the streets of the village.
On Tuesday, 26 December, at 9 p.m., the parish church will host the Trasimeno Gospel Choir, for a concert that will provide a unique and engaging atmosphere.
On 30 December, at 5 p.m., it will be the turn of a magic and illusionism show, accompanied by a photographic exhibition telling the tradition and history of Trevinano. All this will take place at the Sala Polivalente of Trevinano.

Markets and artists in Acquapendente

The Christmas 2023 programme of Acquapendente is particularly rich in events. It starts on Sunday, 17 December from 4 p.m., when Acquapendente will be transformed into a real Christmas village. Artistic craft markets and street artists will animate the streets of the town. There will also be a Father Christmas House, attractions for children, inflatables, the Christmas merry-go-round, and projections and laser shows on the town hall. At 5.30 p.m. there will be a performance by the Acquapendente band.
It continues with an appointment on Tuesday 19 December at 21:00, when the Junior Band will perform an exciting Christmas concert. A week later, on Tuesday 26 December at 17:30, the stage is set for a concert by the Municipal School of Music of Acquapendente.
On New Year's Eve, starting at 23:00, the square will come alive with DJ sets to celebrate the arrival of 2024.
Finally, on 6 January, from 4 p.m., the artistic handicraft markets will once again animate the streets of Acquapendente, and at 5 p.m. there will be the traditional descent of the Befana from the Palazzo Comunale.

These are just some of the events not to be missed during the Christmas 2023 celebrations. Picturesque villages and the warmth of Christmas magic will provide an opportunity to experience the joy of the festivities in an authentic atmosphere rich in tradition.

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