Carly Caramanna
On a recent trip to Rome, I left the major tourist city behind to spend an afternoon in Solomeo, a small village in the Province of Perugia.
The stunning village, with cobblestone streets and beautiful views of the rolling hills, looked like something straight out of a fairytale.
One of the most fascinating things I learned, though, was that Solomeo was restored by billionaire Italian fashion designer and regional native Brunello Cucinelli.
Here's what it was like to explore this charming Italian village.
Carly Caramanna
Cucinelli, best known for his eponymous luxury-fashion brand, has invested significantly in restoring and conserving the village over the past 35 years.
The conservation efforts date back to 1982 when Cucinelli bought the village's castle and converted it into his company's headquarters. Today, most of the company is based out of buildings in the valley below Solomeo.
In part because of all of the restoration work, Solomeo felt like a postcard. The town, which is called a medieval hamlet, sits high atop a high hill overlooking stunning rolling hills.
As I walked around, I felt transported into the past. Although the city looked old and historic, I didn't see any cracks or crumbling foundations that these types of cities often have. Everything felt overwhelmingly peaceful.
Carly Caramanna
Only several hundred people call the village home, and I hardly saw anyone during my midday visit.
As I explored the city, I passed a lot of brick-laden private residences, a Brunello Cucinelli boutique, the company headquarters and factory, and the School of Contemporary High Craftsmanship and Arts, which opened in 2013.
Live entertainment, including concerts and ballet shows, is a fixture of the village. Events are hosted at the Cucinelli Theatre, which opened in 2008.
The theater was inspired by Renaissance architecture and has modern touches. There wasn't a show happening during my visit, but I was able to explore inside. The intimate theater had a clean, minimalistic design, with mostly white tones that drew the eye to the oak details.
The town is also home to the centuries-old Church of Saint Bartholomew. With its soaring ceilings and colorful, ornate details, it was stunning to see in person.
Although I only spent a few hours exploring the small village, my visit was memorable.
Solomeo is truly a picturesque place to explore with its hilltop views and thoughtfully refurbished buildings.
My day trip felt like a nice way to get a taste of the past and was unlike any place I've experienced. It's definitely worth a stop if you're nearby.
