By STEVEN PELLIER
Arriving at the small but perfectly placed and well serviced local airport, San Francesco d’Assisi, you could be forgiven for feeling like a Hollywood ‘A-lister’ or a member of Royalty landing on your own private landing strip in your private jet, which is entirely possible, however, on this occasion, I am not a celebrity or royalty and was in fact flying with Ryanair and soon came out of my imaginary world with a bump!
A mere 15 minute drive from this small but mighty airport, I am immediately awe struck by the momentous Basilica of St Francesco rising before us, perched atop of the hillside, commanding attention, gasps and excitement all round.
Moments later, our driver turns onto a gravelled driveway, as we wind our way through olive trees and come to a stop as Borgo Antichi Orti Assisi presents herself. The Borgo is a lovingly and sympathetically restored 15th Century Benedictine Monastery, steeped in undeniable history, nestled at the foot of Basilica St Francesco Assisi, surrounded by the undulating countryside of Umbria, the green heart of Italy.
As we are met by the owners and management team of Borgo Antichi Orti, I stutter and stumble over my words and introductions, as I am quite intoxicated by the serene romance of the setting in which I feel so fortunate to find myself on a Wednesday afternoon. Upon arrival, a feeling of enlightenment and a sudden deep connection to the Borgo and Umbria washed over me. It felt other worldly, as if Ryanair, in their wisdom, had transported me to a faraway land, more fairytale than real life, absolutely spellbinding.
A ’borgo’ is essentially a historic village or hamlet in Italy, often with medieval origins and is closely related to the English term borough, to describe a district or suburb. Antichi translates to Ancient in English and Orti to Vegetable gardens, so quite simply the title of Borgo Antichi Orti Assisi roughly translates to Village of Ancient Vegetable Gardens of Assisi.
The borgo is a collection of buildings and land once owned and worked on by the Benedictine Monks. The buildings served as workshops, storage, and stables for livestock and the terraced vegetable gardens were cultivated by sharecroppers at the service of the monks.
The now owners, or as they like to be known ‘the borgo’s keepers’, Giulia and Andrea Ranocchia, have sympathetically and painstakingly restored the ancient rural complex of the borgo, preserving the heart, authenticity, and soul of each of the buildings, as well as the large expanse of surrounding gardens. They have worked with their team to breathe new life into once abandoned spaces, uncovering hidden beauty, an abundance of character, and have done so using traditional practices whilst combining and enhancing the property with the modern additions that we have become accustomed to, ensuring a deep connection with Umbria whilst also treading the fine line between Italian elegance and sustainability at the heart of all they do, which I must say, I feel they have completed incredibly well.
With 12 residences for the wedding couple, wedding party, and wedding guests to enjoy, each room featuring a queen size bed as standard, your wedding party will be spoilt for choice at Borgo Antichi Orti. The crowning glory of the property is the Bridal Suite. Taking pride of place in the Borgo’s main building and offering panoramic views across the estate and the lush green lands of Umbria beyond.
So, where can you celebrate at Borgo Antichi Orti Assisi? The ancient borgo, offers no less than four incredible options to celebrate your wedding, each of which can be used independently from the other or as a combination over a weekend or on your wedding day. The property offers couples exclusive hire privacy for intimate celebrations, micro weddings, or multi day guest experiences. There is also the potential option to use the stunning onsite restaurant Re Tartù agli Orti, by separate negotiation, as this is not readily included in your exclusive hire.
Hortuli Benedetti
10,000 square metres of ancient vegetable gardens surrounding a central grassed courtyard clearing, which is perfectly placed for outdoor ceremonies and receptions for up to 300 guests. The historic, natural space combines an abundance of lush beauty, the vegetable gardens still farmed by sharecroppers today, really emphasise Borgo Antichi Orti’s farm to table food ethos. The Hortuli Benedetti provides an ideal setting for a symbolic ceremony, where I can imagine couples saying their vows to one another under one of the green foliage archways, the Basilica San Francesco as their backdrop, as their guests watch the celebration of their love unfold before them.
Lab Botanical
An excellent and versatile indoor venue, suitable for weddings across all four weather seasons. A multi-purpose space for both ceremonies and receptions that can be halved in size for more intimate weddings with a moveable wall track system. A refined modern atmosphere for up to 120 guests.
La Pergola
For an intimate and cosy experience, La pergola offers an elegant covered outdoor space, looking across your very own private gardens and the Hortuli Benedetti on the lower garden terraces beyond. La pergola lends itself perfectly to receptions and intimate dining options for up to 40 guests. The secluded gardens that adjoin would also be suitable for an addition of up to 150 guests too.
Il Giardino
Il Giardino (the garden), overlooked by the Basilica San Francesco, is the most amazing area for al fresco dining under the stars for up to 200 guests. As daylight turns to twilight and nightfall thereafter, the Basilica is lit up as the atmosphere becomes even more magical for you and your wedding guests. Enjoy the gardens in their natural glory or opt for the use of a clear span marquee, ideal for any weather eventuality. The bonus of a clear span marquee with a clear roof covering at Borgo Antichi Orti, is that you will still benefit from the amazing views of the Basilica San Francesco, as well as the terraced gardens of the borgo and the countryside of Umbria beyond.
Il Giardino can also be used in combination with Lab Botanical for larger weddings and dancing the night away.
Outside the remits of exclusive use, as I briefly alluded to earlier, is the potential separate negotiation of the onsite restaurant, Re Tartù agli Orti. An intimate, rustic, and elegant restaurant in a most distinctive setting, which can welcome up to 50 guests. Restored stone walls, wooden beams, and a large outside terrace with furnishings reminiscent of Umbrian tradition really do create an authentic, homely experience, with the most exquisite, mouth-watering culinary delights on offer, and as always, the farm to table ethos of the borgo intwined throughout.
Aside from the different venue spaces to celebrate your wedding, Borgo Antichi Orti Assisi also offers several dining options for you to enjoy with your guests, again with the farm to table ethos ever present in all their gastronomic endeavours. Think of a gourmet pizza party or BBQ as a welcome reception for your guests on the first night, your wedding ceremony and reception the following day, with a leisurely brunch on the final day before bidding your guests arrivederci as you start your married life together.
Borgo Antichi Orti also work with a plethora of local artisans and instructors that come to the borgo to work with wedding couples and their guests. During my stay I was treated to several different experiences, the first of which was natural candle making in the onsite Spagyric Lab, where we were taught about the principles of natural wax and taken through a practical session of creating our very own candles. This is a very symbolic pre-wedding activity for couples before they marry, or for wedding parties where you can design and create personalised candles for your ceremony or even personalised wedding favours for your wedding guests. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, my candle is awesome, and I don’t mind saying so myself!
We were then treated to a wonderful yoga class under the sun on the secluded lawned garden of La Pergola. A newbie to yoga, and with the flexibility of a plank of wood, I was worried, however, I really enjoyed my introduction to the practice and relished in the opportunity to relax and recharge with new positive energy. The instructor was incredibly calm and patient, especially with me, and took the time to explain, help, and praise (where needed). The borgo also offer aerial yoga in the Hortuli Benedetti, offering an innovative treatment, providing a feeling of absolute relaxation. The opportunity really does present a unique wellness ritual that lends itself to wedding party bonding or pure relaxation before the big day.
Borgo Antichi Orti has its very own bijou private spa with two treatment rooms, offering a plethora of treatments designed to relax, pamper, and rejuvenate ready for your wedding day. I opted for a massage, which will surprise all that know me, as I’m not a big fan! Well even more surprising to me (and all that I’ve told) was the fact that I left the treatment room completed wowed by the experience. I have never felt more relaxed and in a state of serene calm in my life. I now want to have a daily massage at Borgo Antichi Orti Assisi! Whilst at the borgo, why not also take full advantage of the garden solarium with sun loungers and large plunge pool to relax and while away the hours in the Italian sun.
There we have it! The exclusive wedding venue of Borgo Antichi Orti Assisi really will leave you spoilt for choice. With so many awe-inspiring venues within the borgo, you and your wedding guests will be dazzled and enveloped in pure fairytale tranquillity, with many questioning whether they are closer to heaven than earth!
With the team at the borgo providing impeccable service, meticulous attention to detail, exquisite culinary farm to table delights, and pure Italian elegance, Borgo Antichi Orti Assisi really is a destination wedding venue of choice for this writer and wedding planner, and have a feeling that you too, will fall in love with this slice of Umbrian paradise.
A tailor made, exclusive wedding of real distinction, set within a picture-perfect location with an exquisite backdrop. It really could be the most perfect way to say, ‘I Do’ and start your married life together.
For more information visit www.borgoantichiortiwedding.it or email the team info@antichiortiassisi.com and don’t forget to mention Ultimate Wedding and Steven Pellier!
All images provided and permitted for use in this article by Borgo Antichi Orti Assisi
