Texts:2011 Flâneurs of the Fields (2011): Difference between revisions

<p>Next morning a surprised but good natured caretaker awoke us. How did we get  here? — Well, up the little road as you can see. Then in our turn: But where are we? — Ah! You do not know! Esta Soave! El Castello di Soave! You have found a most  beautiful place. Come! I will show you." So, still in our clothes from the day before, as  a prelude to breakfast, we were ushered all over the Castle of Soave, a small, then  rather dilapidated, yet extraordinary castle on top of a high hill overlooking the town of  Soave. The castle had stood since the 1300s, ramparts and vineyards sloping down to  the outer fortifications at the foot of the hill. It had an outer courtyard where we had  slept, a small inner courtyard all encircled by well-preserved walls and battlements.  Our animated guide eagerly showed us all the secrets of the place. One could still  easily see the power structure of the whole area, intact over centuries, with its  economy there ripening before our eyes. Legend had it that none other than Dante  Alighieri had named the place Soave, on tasting its smooth, suave wine. Twenty-five  years later in an American restaurant a friend ordered a good Italian white. I glanced at  the label and there unmistakably was pictured the castle atop the hill, vineyards and  ramparts sloping down towards the town below — and memories of that night in the  Castello di Soave rushed back to mind.</p>

<p class="cent">Aerial view of the Castello di Soave </p>  

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