Panoramic view of Comunanza
We are more and more interested in learning about how the territory, lifestyle and diet, can influence the well-being and human health. And since thousands of our readers have expressed the same interest, Discovermarche went to Comunanza, a small village in the province of Ascoli Piceno.
Coming from a big city like New York and founding ourselves in Comunanza, made us feel in a place where time passes slowly and where people live respecting the rhythms of nature.
Comunanza: in the past and today
Surrounded by a leafy landscape, the enviroment of Comunanza is favorably influenced by woods and expanses of the Aso Valley, close to the Apennines (mountains). The food is almost exclusively local and people are used to follow a simple and natural diet here. This town is renowned in Italy as well as abroad to be the European-record holder of longevity. Two centenarian sisters, Santina and Carolina Gennari, lived here.
The ‘super-centenarian” ladies of Comunanza
The former was 112 years old and was one of the oldest person in the world, while the latter was 104 years old. This extraordinary record, had been supported by the presence in the same village of another 105-year-old woman, Antonina Eusebi, and even by other ninety citizens aged between 85 and 99 years.
Those numbers certainly had an impact and increased the curiosity around the secret of longevity of Comunanza inhabitants: a town of three thousand people only!
Some articles written in the newspapers and talking about Comunanza
The valuable advice of the two centenarian sisters are collected in the “Menu of Santina and Carolina”, which reveals the secrets of healthy eating, prevention of disease and other tips for living longer.
The longevity menu
Experts say that to ensure longevity and have a more active old age, in addition to a personal predisposition of the genes, there are other important factors like: clean air (mountain air), daily motion, less stressful rythm of life and healthy foods.
Since it is time to snack, we were excited to taste the famous “panzanella”. This traditional receipe, normally considered ‘peasant food’, becomes a main meal if served with salad and mozzarella cheese or fresh vegetables and Italian raw ham.
The ‘Panzanella’: a typical Italian bread salad
We want to share with you the original recipe: wood oven-baked stale bread, chopped ripe tomatoes, olive oil, wine vinegar, mint and chopped fresh garlic (this latter ingredient should not be underestimated because it contains about 400 healthy components. Garlic is one the most powerful antioxidants in nature and has also been considered a powerful and preventive natural substance against cancer by a study conducted in China and America, lately).
We were really pleased with this tour that gave us the opportunity to discover the town of Comunanza and the habits of its citizens. And you? What are you waiting for to visit the ‘Elixir of Long Life’ village?
A special thanks to the Municipality of Comunanza and Terre del Piceno for guiding us in our visit.
Discovermarche 
Reblogged this on Discovermarche and commented:
The secret for a healthy life is a combination of different things: the diet, the lifestyle and the territory…find out more about the town of ‘Comunanza’ in Le Marche, better known as the “Longevity Village”.
Diet and lifestyle, combined with fresh mountain air. No wonder the longevity. We all could learn a lot from this. Thanks. ❤️ I love bread salad…could eat it daily . ☺
I agree. Sometimes ‘old-fashioned’ habits are still the best in our nowdays’ hectic routine. Looking back at our roots is good…like the bread salad: so easy, so good! Thanks:-)
I think that staying active, both mentally and physically, also plays a big part. Know of several who have lived actively into their 90’s here in the USA.
Totally true. Keeping yourself busy and interested, stay curious and follow your passions are other key-factors to growing older without feeling old! Don’t you think?
Wow it all looks amazing 🙂 I wish to visit this place ! The dish Panzanella ,looks great need to try it..
Thanks Khansana! Please keep me posted if you try it!:-)
It makes sense that the people of Comunanza would live so long – healthy food, exercise and a peaceful life. It’s that easy 🙂 And the good looks delicious!
I know! Maybe it’s not so easy to leave our busy everyday’s routine but at least, we know how we could improve it!
Sometimes it’s just a matter of taking a deep breath and understanding real priorities in life:-)
🙂
I would love to visit as well sometime in the future.
Lovely photos.
Thanks you! I really wish you will come and visit Le Marche:-)
I will be happy to advice!
They do have a lot of old people, I can only imagine the stories they would tell.
Yes, I agree! They may have experienced so many things and seen a lot of changes during all their lives…literally a precious heritage themselves.
I’ve always loved listening to grandpas’ & grandmas’ stories: they can give you such a different prospective of life!
Most of times unexpected and illuminating:-)
Thanks for including that recipe! I have a couple of small baguettes that are past their prime! Awesome to have the local recipe. I also believe their longevity must be due the living in connection with a close community and with nature. It feels more like a collaboration of living than the competitive world we live in here in the USA. We could learn a lot from them. in lak’ech, Debra
Thanks for your nice comment Debra!
I agree: the community lifestyle in a sense of helping each other and taking care of local traditions has always been very important there and may also have helped in feeling less stressed out.
About longevity…let’s try the recipe I posted, it was actually part of their eating-routine…who knows? Let’s give it a try and save some stale bread before it’s too late!:-)
I had to share follow-up – have been eating this stuff for 3 days straight! I missed the mint… will have to try that on the next batch. 🙂
OMG! Debra: that’s amazing!!!
Thanks for the update…and, btw, how was it?
I guess you enjoyed it, since you’ve been eating it for a while.
I may be starting it myself.However, I have to get some mint first, too:-)
I really enjoyed reading this especially as it concurs with my thinking of healthy food. Exercise. Thanks for this. It seems a great place to visit
Had forgotten about how good garlic is
I drink a lot of roobios tea. It’s quite similar
You’re very welcome and I’m glad you’ve found this post interesting!
Yes, it’s a really nice town to visit together with many others in Le Marche region.
As I’m pointing out in most of my posts, there are many old traditions that have been handled down from generation to generation, so luckly some good habits are still alive here.
By the way, I’ve never heard before about rooibos tea…and just found out is has amazing health benefits! Thanks for sharing this info…which is definitely good to know:-)
Such a pretty place. Surely very spiritual, calm people staying here. Thx sharing