The popular and multiethnic neighborhood of San Faustino in Viterbo visited Tuesday morning with the eyes of two Americans.
A walk in the district of San Faustino, the popular district of the city of Viterbo.
And as you wander the streets you are, like me, struck by the broken beauty of this neighborhood.
It’s an old quarter, and its cobblestone streets and busy squares are a bit tired and chipped, but that can’t hide how stunningly beautiful it is. It is placed at the highest point of the city and you can observe a beautiful panorama and beautiful sunsets.
I had the opportunity to visit some churches, their important works of art in the community. In the Church of San Faustino and Giovita of 1250, renovated in 1527, it preserves a precious icon of the Virgin with child, called Madonna of Constantinople, I had the opportunity to speak with Father Jean Paul Wala, who has been living in Viterbo for a year, who has moved to Italy from Congo, where he intends to return. He showed me the church and its artwork, and was patient with my less than perfect Italian.
The Church of San Faustino e Giovita is open for celebrations, and is an important and welcoming place of worship for the neighborhood community.
Leaving the church of San Faustino there is the beautiful Piazza del Mercato with the fountain built in 1250 the names of the builders are engraved in the central shaft – Iacobus Andree and Gemini magistri francisci fecerunt hoc opus – Lions are the symbols and guardians of the city of Viterbo .
In the square some stalls sell local products, vegetables, fruit, cheeses, cold cuts and even porchetta.
Walking I crossed via Santa Maria Liberatrice to get to the Basilica of the Trinity, it preserves the painting of the Madonna Liberatrice that miraculously saved Viterbo, next to it I meet the beauty of the cloister framed by walls of paintings joined together to tell a story. Then I was struck by the large historic garden on the back, cared for by the Augustinian fathers, with vines, fruit trees and vegetables, a true work of art.
Thanks to father Giuseppe for allowing us to visit the garden privately.
In our tour we found the smiles of the young barmen of the Casantini café, of Anna Rita Cecchinato, of Pasquale Altieri, historical voices of the neighborhood.
At the end of the visit, we recognize the beauty of this neighborhood, its different colors. It was very important to have discovered it during our study stay in Viterbo.
Article author
My name is Wilder Yaconelli I am from Northern California near San Francisco. I study English at cal poly Humboldt. I am studying in viterbo for two semesters because I want to become fluent in Italian language. My family is from Lazio and I hope to reconnect with them while I am here. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work on a magazine.
Mi chiamo Wilder Yaconelli vengo dalla California del Nord vicino a San Francisco. Studio l’inglese al cal poly Humboldt. Sto studiando a Viterbo per due semestri perché voglio diventare fluente in lingua italiana. La mia famiglia è laziale e spero di riconnettermi con loro mentre sono qui. Sono entusiasta di avere questa opportunità di scrivere su una testata on line.
Who we met
Photographic author
My name is Benjamin Agard and I am from Illinois, USA. I am studying History with a minor in Global Studies at Illinois College, Jacksonville. I am studying abroad in Viterbo for the fall semester to learn more about the Italian language, history and culture. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to pursue my passion of learning more about different cultures!
Mi chiamo Benjamin Agard e vengo dall’Illinois, USA. Sto studiando Storia con un minore in Studi Globali presso l’Illinois College, Jacksonville. Sto studiando all’estero a Viterbo per il semestre autunnale per conoscere meglio la lingua, la storia e la cultura italiana. Sono entusiasta di avere questa opportunità di perseguire la mia passione di imparare di più su culture diverse!
