News and Blog

Umbra Institute History professor reexamines Perugian bread and its invented history.

Umbra Institute history professor and coordinator of the new Food Studies Program Zachary Nowak has published an article in the latest issue ofDiomede: Journal of Political and Cultural Studiescalled “Il pane sciapo e la Guerra del sale di Perugia” (Unsalted Bread and the Salt War of Perugia), in which he provides an important contribution to the discovery of the roots of the gastro-cultural phenomenon of unsalted bread in the Tusco-Umbrian region.
Nowak in his article scrutinizes the common belief that bread in the region is unsalted because of a five-centuries old dispute with the pope and shows that bread was most likely unsalted many centuries before the “Salt War” of 1540. His findings are interesting on many levels, revealing on the one hand how food-cultures can become part of an historical “urban legend” used for political ends, and on the other hand shedding new light on a line in Dante’ Paradiso, that makes a precise reference to unsalted bread as early as 1315, which has traditionally been interpreted only symbolically rather than literally.

Umbra Institute professors Simon Young and Zachary Nowak have been working on an exciting new initiative, a blog about Italian food history.

Umbra Institute is in the news again! This time, Umbra Institute receives attention in the regional newspaper La Nazione because of an interesting article published by its very own professor of history and coordinator of its new food studies program (to be launched in Fall 2011) Zachary Nowak. In the Diomede: Journal of Political and Cultural Studies, Nowak basically disproves what “every Perugian knows”: that the bread here is unsalted because of the Salt Wars of 1540. Instead he shows that this is basically an urban myth and that the tradition of unsalted bread dates back much further.

Which, of course, does not make unsalted bread taste any better!

Today is one of the Umbra Institute’s last days for the Spring 2011. Here are a few things to do before you leave…

5. Taste a Bacio .
Most of the Italian classes have toured the home of the world-famous chocolate and hazelnut baci this week, but if you missed out, drop by Ciao Ciao’s store and get one!

4. Relax by the shore of Lago Trasimeno.
The biggest lake in central and south Italy, Lago Trasimeno is only an hour away from the center of Perugia by train. There are several sleepy towns around the lake with gelato and docks for relaxing, but the Umbra staff suggests going to Castiglione del Lago for its impressive views and historic center.

3. Walk through the “underground city,” over the Roman acqueduct, and into the Duomo.

We walk past these landmarks around town everyday, but have you ever actually been inside? Perugia’s most interesting historical sites are all free and right here in the center: the Roman Acqueduct, the Etruscan Well, the Tempietto and Tower of Sant’Angelo, the Duomo, and the Rocca Paolina. Talk to Zach if you need help finding these spots.

2. Eat Pasta alla Norcina, Torta con Salsiccia ed Erba, and Hot Chocolate from Augusta Perusia! Pasta with Umbrian sausage and truffles, typical Umbria torta, and to-die-for hot chocolate… you can’t go home without trying these Perugia specialties.

1. Picnic in the grass on a sunny afternoon at San Francesco.
At the bottom of Via dei Priori you’ll find the church of San Francesco and the big grass lawn in front. Pick up sandwiches from Parma (another Perugia must-eat) and bring a blanket and your iPod.

Congrats to Kylie Bearse from CU-Boulder on her winning photo!

Just over a week ago, students were enjoying the sun in Sorrento, Capri, and Naples on the Umbra Institute’s Amalfi Coast trip. Planned during the nicest part of every semester, students started on with a noontime tour of the ancient city of Pompeii and then moved onto an afternoon of exploring and shopping in gorgeous Sorrento. After spending the night there, everyone got lucky with a picturesque day on Capri, which started off with an impromptu a cappella song during the ferry ride over. Finally, Sunday was spent in the historic center of Naples before heading back up to Perugia – now that’s a weekend.

For most Third World children, every day is a day without shoes. To combat this, Tom’s Shoes started a unique project: for every pair of shoes that they sell, they donate one pair to a needy child ina developing country.

Umbra Institute student Nicole Visovsky publicized this day to her fellow students studying abroad in Italy, and third of the student body had no footwear.

The project culminated at 3:30pm, when the students took a picture in front of Perugia’s main fountain, then immediately thereafter had to field questions from scores of interested Italian schoolchildren.

Great job, Nicki! Visit www.toms.com