Endearing Bevagna, resting on a valley floor in Umbria, a few short steps south of Perugia. This historic town, once a staging post on the famed via Flamina north of Rome.
A jewel containing a heart of four vibrant chambers. These chambers, known as ‘Gaite’, form the civil and political life-blood of the city, pumping daily the spirit of Santa Maria, San Pietro, San Giorgio and San Giovanni into her livelihood.
The nexus is Piazza Filippo Silvestri, the meeting room of the town, and it is in this focal point that all four Gaite meet, each invigorating the city as a whole, giving Bevagna strength for the journey of life.
The Gaita of Santa Maria and the Gaita of San Pietro derive their names from ancient churches of the same names located in their neighbourhoods, whilst the Gaita of San Giorgio takes its from the name of the ancient oratory of the church of San Domenico and
San Giacomo. And the Gaita of San Giovanni was given the primitive name of the Collegiata of San Michele Arcangelo.
I invite you to stroll with me on an illustrative journey through the fascinating Gaite of Bevagna!
© John Littlewood