Colline bolognese

In glorious country above the Reno valley in the Bolognese Apennines with the most delightful friends. I was gripped with the search for casa mia fever.

In an episode worthy of 'Location Location Location' I mentioned my interest to a newsagent in Gaggio Montano. No sooner said than he was telling me about the house his wife had and five minutes later he had directed me to the house in the rental Cinquecento. 

It was not quite the job but incredibly kind. 

He then showed he his house which had a 13C fresco in the school of Piero della Francesca discovered when the builders were taking their lunch in 1957 and the local nun - who brought them 'da mangiare' - noticed that the plaster they were chipping off the walls - which had been put in place after a plague in the 17th century - was 'colorato'. They went 'pian pianino' (slowly) after that and discovered the most incredible Madonna in fresco. The house was built in the 12th century and the chap showing me this treasure had been born there. 

Only in Italy ...