Perugia, never a city to take chances with divine intervention, has had not one, not two, but three patron saints since the middle ages. Despite San Lorenzo’s comets and Sant’Ercolano’s cool octagonal church, San Costanzo remains the hometown favorite. This past Friday was his feast day, and the local holiday was celebrated not only by a day off from work but also by free torcolo for everyone in Corso Vannucci.

Torcolo is your standard holiday fruitcake’s great-great-great-great grandparent. Flour, eggs, raisins, candied fruit, and lots of sugar make this a Perugian favorite. Many students (and staff, and faculty!) also went down to Borgo XX Giugno for the fair/market. Porchetta, roasted chestnuts, and mozzarella di bufala were the day’s specialties.