Justin Bradshaw and I share an appreciation of ruins, ancient and medieval. My passion is walking to them; his is drawing them. The territory of the Via Amerina has plenty to keep us both busy.
I’m exploring this extraordinary landscape and preparing a new walking trip – an expansion/reworking of my Treja Basin trip. There will be an opportunity to meet Justin and see his work. A lesson or two might even be arranged. Stay tuned!
London-born Justin Bradshaw studied at City and East London Art College. He moved to Rome in 1995. Since 2004 he has lived in Civita Castellana, one-time capital of the ancient Faliscan people. His work includes oil on copper and wood, watercolors, and pen and ink drawings. Recently he has begun drawing with a goose-quill pen and homemade oak-gall ink: a technique developed in the Middle Ages. His work has been exhibited extensively in Rome, Lazio and internationally.
Tomb of Regina, Via AmerinaFaliscan road cutRuins of Borgia Castle, Nepi
History
In the 3rd century BC, the Romans conquered the Faliscan people to their north and built the Via Amerina through the rugged volcanic landscape. Earlier roads had been tortuous, steep and muddy, built for donkeys and small carts. In contrast the Roman road was straight, wide and paved. Canyons were bridged with barely a thought. Much of the road remains today.
The territory holds surprises: deep gorges, lush streams and waterfalls, towns on high promontories, Roman bridges, tombs of Faliscans and Romans, medieval castles and watch towers, beautiful old churches and monasteries. The best way to experience it is on foot.
The fascinating geological history of this region is explored inNewsletter Thirty-Two.
Castel d’IschiaRoman bridge, Via AmerinaPalazzo Farnese, Caprarola
Faliscan road cutFaliscan tombBasilica of Sant’Elia
Piazza, NepiCivita CastellanaRoman tombs, Via Amerina
This trip is a work in progress: stay tuned, or write to me for details.
More trips
Dates by arrangement.
Traversing the Alban Hills: Rome’s alluring volcanoes
My newest trip is a grand traverse of the Alban Hills: Frascati, Roman Tusculum, Rocca di Papa, Nemi with its crater lake. See Newsletter 39. Newsletter 39 for more information.
Via Cassia: Sutri to Orvieto
The great pilgrimage road to Rome from the north passes through gorgeous hill towns with fascinating stories. See Newsletter 34.
Mountains and Sea: Rome’s south coast
Overlooking the Via Appia, limestone cliffs crowned with colorful medieval towns skirt the coast. Extra days at beautiful Lake Nemi are possible by request. See Newsletter 31.
The Valley of Umbria
Walking in the land of Saint Francis. See Newsletter 38.
