The small district of Pianoscarano within the Medieval quarter of town is easily one the
many hidden gems Viterbo has to offer. Located along the outskirts of San Pellegrino, those
who do not know what to look for may walk right past it. However, despite its size, this districtharbors many diverse shops and activities.
This includes but is not limited to bars, cafes,bookstores, and even a haberdashery!
Upon arriving in the main square, it is easy to see the abundance of life in this area.
Cafes with beautiful outdoor seating, people walking around with shopping bags in hand, andthe aroma of fresh food are just some of the things you will find here. One shop that everyonemust try, particularly fans of cheese, is Cioffi’s Caseificio. This is where the mozzarella is made and it is one of the best places in town! From classic, fresh mozzarella to ricotta, this place really has it all. Established in 1958 by Cioffi Gregorio, this family business has been proudly serving the residents of Viterbo for decades. Its founder, Gregorio, worked in a series of dairies around Viterbo for many years and learned the tricks of the trade before deciding to open up his ownshop. He was replaced as head of the company in 1970 by his son, Giuseppe and the tradition of family and quality food continues. Fresh milk is collected every morning from local farms and carefully looked after throughout the entirety of the process. The custom of handmade cheeses
truly makes this place special.
Another unique spot is Merceria Pianoscarano, also known as Carla Cenci
Haberdashery. Even from the outdoors, you can tell that this shop is an explosion of creativity.
From the brightly colored crochet flowers adorning the walls to the knit-wrapped bicycle thatleans by the door, an air of fun and lightheartedness exudes from within. When you enter,spools of different colored thread line the walls and buckets of yarn are arrayed throughout the shop. It is every crafters dream. In addition to crafting supplies, you can also find pre-madegoods such as potholders, hats, scarves, clothes, and even some homemade jams! Each item is of very high quality and is a refreshing change from many of the monotonous, cut and copy items we see today.
Pianoscarano is also home to its very own oil mill called the Frantoio “Il Paradosso.”
Owned by Mario Matteucci, it is one of the last places still practicing the ancient techniques of making olive oil. Using a fiscolo- a sort of basket made from a rope of hemp or coconut fibershe is able to squeeze the juices from the olive to give it a flavor unlike any other. The Paradosso mill preserves history and quality in a way that many others have not been able to obtain. In addition to the factory, Il Paradosso also has an oil museum dedicated to the history of this process and includes an underground cave where visitors are able to view the ancient machinery. It is quite a popular site for foodies and school groups alike, as there is so much to learn about the technique and tradition that goes into making one of Italy’s staple ingredients.
Pianoscarano has much to offer and any time spent there will not be a waste. In addition
to the many different shops, it also provides beautiful views and scenery that cannot be missed!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time exploring its nooks and crannies and would highly recommend!
Article author
My name is Sebe Shearer and I am from Texas, United States. I am studying history with a minor in Italian at the University of Houston. I am doing a semester abroad in Italy to learn more about the Italian language and also explore its rich culture. It has always been my dream to come here and experience a place with so much history, especially coming from a country that is so new in the grand scheme of things. I feel so incredibly lucky to have this opportunity.
Mi chiamo Sebe Shearer e vengo dal Texas, Stati Uniti. Sto studiando storia in italiano all’Università di Houston. Adesso sto vivendo un semestre all’estero in Italia per saperne di più sulla lingua italiana ed esplorare anche la sua ricca cultura. È sempre stato il mio sogno venire in Italia e vivere un luogo con così tanta storia, soprattutto venendo da un paese così nuovo nel grande schema delle cose. Mi sento incredibilmente fortunata ad avere questa opportunità.
Photographic author
My name is Hannah Ferguson and I am a senior at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I will be graduating this December with a Bachelors in Art History. I chose to take my last semester abroad so that I could fully immerse myself in Italian culture and language. I’m excited to experience the art and culture that I have spent my time in college only ever reading about, and very excited use these experiences in my postgraduate life!
Mi chiamo Hannah Ferguson e sono una studentessa presso l’Università del Nevada, Las Vegas. Mi laureerò questo dicembre con una laurea in storia dell’arte. Ho scelto di fare il mio ultimo semestre all’estero per potermi immergere completamente nella cultura e nella lingua italiana. Sono entusiasta di sperimentare l’arte e la cultura con cui ho condiviso il tempo al college leggendo e studiando. Sono molto entusiasta di poter continuare a coltivare queste esperienze nella mia vita post-laurea!
