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Terni, the city of lovers and steel

Terni is sometimes called The Steel City, because it has been an important hub in Italian industry. This led to massive destruction of the intrastructure, during the bomb raids of the sencond world war. Today, the town has risen from the ashes and is completely restored, with the side effect that it stands out among Italian cities. It has a very modern air to it, and is riddled with large green streaks. There’s about 112000 people living in Terni, all watched over by their patron saint. He is a rather famous person, this patron, every year millions of roses are bought and delivered in his name: Saint Valentine. This has earned Terni its other nickname: The City of Lovers.

Taking something broken and turning into something beautiful is something that Terni has mastered. An example of this is the the fact that Roberto Benigni shot his masterpiece La Vita è Bella in a rundown industrial area in the outskirts of Fermi. This movie was awarded with multple Academy Awards and is a modern classic. The success of this movie created a movie making boom in Terni, letting it star in many cinema and TV-productions over the years.

The cuisine is robust, rustic, hearty and delicious. Pappardelle al cinghiale, tagliolini cacio e pepe and la pizza di formaggio are all typical to the region. Asparagus, mushrooms and truffle delivered from the surrounding countryside are common ingredients. And meat, of alla forms, Terni is truly the meat lover’s paradise.

For obvious reasons, Valentine’s day is the main festival in Terni. The entire month of February is in fact dedicated to celebrate the patron saint of lovers. Religious processions, concerts, exhibitions, theatre, sports, games and Cioccolentino, a chocolate fair, are just some of the activities that are on the agenda during the hectic days of the shortest month.

It is absolutely essential, when in Terni, to pay a visit to Marmore falls. This stunning waterfall, 7 km from the city, is actually a remnant from the Roman empire. In 271 BC, the roman consul Manius Curius Dentato, had a channel built to drain a pool of still water that he found irksome, directed towards the natural fall of Marmore. The water mass threatened to destroy Terni, but he persisted, leading to a heated conflict between Terni and Rome. And of course, Terni persevered, and turned a looming disaster into something beautiful. What happened to the Roman empire is, as we say, history.