New accommodation to revitalize idyllic Italian village
Centre of local food excellence broadens sustainable offer
Twenty-odd years ago, a local poet, a screenwriter and a businessman were discussing their dream – they hoped to establish a restaurant that was much more than just a great place to eat and drink, but a social, artistic and cultural centre too. The idea was to show off the best of Romagna’s food and wine, poetry, art and culture.
And, eventually the trio’s dream came true – the businessman Maggioli, the poet Tito Balestra and the screenwriter Tonino Gerrra saw the restaurant and more established in an exceptionally beautiful but disused palace in Santarcangelo – the heart of Romagna.
In the historic centre of Santarcangelo di Romagna , at the foot of the staircase leading to the Clock Tower in the old Palace Nadiani – stunningly refurbished and full of art and poetry – is Osteria La Sangiovesa where the culture and culinary traditions of Romagna are extolled deliciously and enthusiastically..
Naturally, the food comes from a careful selection of raw materials and a short supply chain that brings extraordinarily fresh and tasty food to the table.
And a lot of this wonderful produce comes from the restaurant’s own 64 hectare Saiano Estate in the green hills of Montebello , where amidst the endless expanses of woods and meadows of Val Marecchia , the animals are fed following a healthy and rigorous organic diet.
Once the hilltop estate, with rolling, vineyard strewn hills and its stunning views towards the mountains and valleys, was a pretty little village. But no more, as the population drifted into towns, the village died.
So why not rejuvenate it – create holiday accommodation, and make the supply-chain even shorter for some lucky visitors to Romagna?
"What a good idea" thought the team, now led by renowned chef Massimiliano Mussoni who has worked at the restaurant for almost all his working like. Now the idea is to include luxury B&B accommodation in Romagna’s fabulous countryside into the package, with its beauty, warm hospitality and deep comfort.
After a stylish refurbishment, the agriturismo at Saiano plans to open next April and here guests will get a real taste of Romagna and be able to experience its amazing countryside at close quarters.
Yet another link in the sustainable tourism chain.
Valere Tjolle
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