Castel Viscardo
Discovering Castel Viscardo: the municipality in the province of Terni
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about Castel Viscardo, a charming town in the province of Terni, Umbria. This municipality has about 2700 inhabitants and is located in the Alfina Plateau, just 13 km from Orvieto.
Physical geography
The area where Castel Viscardo is located enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate, classified in zone E, 2287 GR/G. The peculiarity of this location is its panoramic position: in fact, the view sweeps over the valley of the Paglia river all the way to Orvieto. Castel Viscardo is part of the Monte Peglia and Selva di Meana Mountain Community.
History
The central nucleus of the village is the Castle of Madonna, dating back to the 14th century, which in the past belonged to the Monaldeschi della Cervara family. Later it was a fief of the Spada Veralli and is still owned by the Dukes of Montevecchio. However, evidence of a settlement predating the construction of the castle dates back to the 6th century BC. In the territory of Castel Viscardo, a few kilometers from the village, is the Etruscan necropolis of Caldane.
Orvieto/Castel Viscardo Airport
Have you ever heard of the Orvieto airport? In fact, few people know that in the hamlet of Benano, on the border between the municipalities of Orvieto and Castel Viscardo, there was an ancient structure. The project for the barracks and functional buildings was the work of the engineer Roberto Marino, while the hangars were designed by the engineer Pier Luigi Nervi. From 1938 to 1940, it housed the "2nd period pilot school". Later, from 1940 to 1942, two more hangars were built and in 1942, the 18th Wing or "Transport Wing" was stationed at Orvieto. However, on September 9, 1943, the day after the armistice, the airport was besieged by the Wehrmacht and soon became the operational base of the German aviation. Following several Allied bombings, the Germans decided to move further north by burning the aircraft and destroying all the structures.
Society
The demographic evolution of Castel Viscardo is relatively stable, with a population of around 2700 inhabitants.
Culture
Music
Music is an integral part of the history and culture of Castel Viscardo. The town's band, the "G. Verdi band ensemble", was founded in the summer of 1886 by some music enthusiasts who decided to name it after the famous Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, acclaimed worldwide during those years.
In conclusion, Castel Viscardo is a charming place where history and culture are closely linked to its wonderful panoramic position. If you have the opportunity, I recommend visiting this small Umbrian town: you will certainly be fascinated!
