San Gemini is the village of waters in the province of Terni, namely the natural ones and the mineral ones for which it is known: springs and streams cross an area rich in scents and colors, where the slow living made of walks through ancient alleys, unhurried encounters in cloisters, squares and genuine flavors predominates. The first mention of the name “Sanctum Geminum” is found in the act of foundation of the Abbey of St. Nicholas in 1036, deriving from the saint Yemin who arrived from Syria in ancient Casventum in the 8th century, although the origin of the settlement is probably linked to the development of the nearby Roman municipium of Carsulae. This town was destroyed by a Saracen attack and, when rebuilt, changed its name to San Gemini, in honor of the saint chosen as its patron. Certainly the site, where the medieval center will rise, was not devoid of older settlements, as evidenced by the remains of a Roman domus decorated with mosaic floors, the underground cisterns found in the former monastic complex of Santa Caterina and the Grotta degli Zingari near the junction for Terni and Narni. Its medieval charm is evidenced by gardens, niches and flower-filled balconies in a maze of narrow streets, stairways and arches. The tour of the village begins at Porta Romana, an imposing gateway on the main street. To its right is the Palace of the Princes of Santacroce, and on the square of the same name stands the 12th-century Cathedral of San Gemini, dating from the late Gothic period and rebuilt in the 19th century. Continue on to Piazza San Francesco, the main square in which are the Town Hall, Palazzo Canova and the majestic 13th-century Church of St. Francis, embellished with marvelous frescoes and with the former Franciscan convent attached, where St. Francis stayed in 1213. Entering through Porta Burgi, one reaches the oldest part of the city, known as the Rocca, while along the way one glimpses the 12th-13th century Gothic Palazzo Vecchio or Pretorio, the symbol and ancient seat of the free municipality of San Gemini. Also worth seeing: Zanassi Palace, the 14th-century Esperia Tower, the 11th-century Church of St. Charles, the 11th-century Church of St. John the Baptist, the ancient walls, the former convent of St. Mary Magdalene (now home to the Historical Archives) and the Abbey of St. Nicholas. Also of particular importance are the museum institutions: the GeoLab-Museum of Earth Sciences, a permanent one dedicated to the scholastic popularization of Earth Sciences; the Guido Calori Opera Museum, with a collection of paintings and sculptures by artist Guido Calori (1885-1960); and the Roman Ruins of Carsulae (first century B.C.-first century A.D.). Along with the museums, guarding the local cultural roots are events and typical gastronomy, excellent starting points for returning emigrants who want to delve into local traditions. In the former case, the Infiorata Sangeminese in June on the day of Corpus Christi, the Sangeminese Summer with numerous musical and cultural events, the historical reenactment known as the Joust of Arms from the last Saturday in September to the Sunday following October 9 (the day of the patron saint St. Gemini) and the Christmas cribs stand out. In the case of the cuisine, it is worth tasting the “picchiarelli” al sugo, a handmade pasta made by kneading water, flour and an egg, and the typical dessert known as “pampepato”. At the end of discovering the village, all that's left to do is to enjoy the sunset over the green hills of Sangemino, perhaps by walking along the ancient Franciscan Protomartyr Trail or following the paths in the countryside on one's mountain bike or on horseback.