La Cerqua Bio Agritourism in the heart of Italy

Beautiful region of hills, mountains and valleys, Umbria is born in the heart of the boot and extends along the Tevere basin. There are unspoiled landscapes with the sinuous valleys and ancient villages. Valleys and hills are what characterize the territory of Pietralunga, a small village located in the province of Perugia, on the top of the hill overlooking the Valley Carpinella, in the inner band Umbria-Marche Apennines.

Area with high natural value, Pietralunga is known for its vast forest that covers over 10,000 hectares, today the main green lung of the region and without a doubt the most important resource for the local inhabitants, accomplices current trends of Italian and foreign tourists, looking for scenic beauty and ancient farmhouses far from the usual and busy circuits.

The old abandoned farms, refurbished, have become, in fact, the focus of this new trend. Among these, worth a special mention Bio Agriturismo La Cerqua, active since 1991 and managed with care by Gino Martinelli and his family. Born from the desire to save and give new life to the old disused family property, Gino, doctor of agriculture, started in the nineties the renovation of the cottage, a former Benedictine monastery of the fourth century, initiating farm tourism and an organic agricultural production which is one of the strengths of the farm.

The arable land of the farm are cultivated according to organic farming criteria: shallow tillage, organic fertilization and crop rotation. The farm raises animals and produces wheat, barley, oats and barley, chickpeas, lentils, forage (alfalfa, clover and sainfoin) and the famous local potato.

With the fruits from the rows of trees and shrubs that surround the fields, La Cerqua produces jams, preserves and liqueurs typical of the area, such as Visner (with sour cherries), the Scafurnicchio (with the fruits of the wild rose), the Fa.G .in (with beech leaves and juniper berries), and the Nocino of San Giovanni. All products in the company’s farm can be enjoyed in the cozy restaurant that serves breakfast, coffee and organic dinners with perfumes and traditional local flavors. The kitchen of Silvana employs both local products and those of the corporate farm – purchased in the shop of the company or on the local market – and met the taste and needs of various customers: celiacs, vegetarians, vegans and children!

Symbol of the territory in which it stands, Bio Agriturismo La Cerqua offers to its customers the ancient value of hospitality in three old structures: the Cerqua, that has 8 charming rooms with magical atmosphere, the Ancient Barn, building in stone and brick with two equipped studios and Balucca, nice country house composed of 9 rooms furnished with style and enriched by a big clubhouse, a small organic restaurant, the riding area and Giardino del Mago, a natural oasis and ecology laboratory of the farm.

The farm of Gino is also a place-keeper of the historical memory of its own bioregion, who helps to ransmit its natural features and traditional country through special open educational courses not only for residents but also for children and schools.

Hikers, nature and food lovers looking for quality products can find in the Agritourism La Cerqua the ideal place to relax away from the noise of the city, venture into unforgettable walks in Pietralunga forest, go horseback riding and take part of the many activities that the place offers!