The trip I made yesterday is one I
really like to share with you and future visitors of Umbria. The
reason why is that Carsulae, which this post is about, offers
something nice for nearly everyone. Especially when you travel with
children it's an adventure that they will absolutely like. They are
allowed to climb the ruines, they can run in the fields and – when
there are not too many other visitors – even yell for they'll
disturb nobody.
There are, apart from one small risky
spot, no signs about forbidden things.
Of course this does not mean that you
won't have to watch over them – I would not recommend any child to
fall from a 3 m. high wall, There are plenty of lower stones though.
During your visit, you will be
accompanied by the delicate smell of the mentuccia that grows
everywhere. In spring, you might even be lucky and see several sheep
herds guided by their shepherd and his dog. If you want to relax during
your visit, seats have been put up in the shade of the trees.
Carsulae is situated close to San
Gemini. Take the exit on the E45 and follow San Gemini and then Cesi
where the roadsigns will direct you to the parking lot. A short walk
will bring you to the ticket office and documentation centre (and for
those few kids that don't like climbing and being outside, there's a
playroom).
Carsulae has been a Roman municipium,
which means that the town's citizens had some of the civil rights
that Rome's citizens had, but was allowed to have a merely
indipendent governance, under the authority of the Emperor August.
The town was situated alongside the Via Flaminia. Its remains divide
the town in two.
The town was entered by the Arch of San
Damiano. Originally there were three archs, the large one that's left
now was meant for vehicles and it used to be flanked by two smaller
archs for pedestrians.
I will not discuss every building, for
you can find it in every tourist guide or better, go there and see
them yourself, but worth mentioning is the church of Cosma and San
Daniano. It dates from the 11th century and was built on
the remains of a much older building (estimated 1st and
2nd century before Christ).
Another detail is one of the tombs that
were found. The tombs are believed to have belonged to prominent
citizens of Carsulae. One of them was found with a leaden coffin
inside, containing the remains of a young girl, with her golden
jewelry still well kept.
Other interesting buildings are the
Forum, the Amfitheatre, the Cisterns that provided Carsulaes water,
Thermal Baths and some buildings that are supposed to have been
shops.
As I said, Carsulae provides an
interesting site for almost everyone. Only when you are disabled or
have other difficulties walking, the facilities are not good.
Meanwhile, I have approached the commune of San Gemini and have asked
them to see wether they could adjust that.
