The Magical Fountain of Spello Umbria

In 2012, within the cozy confines of Nero's coffee shop in Brighton, Sussex, fate intertwined the lives of the authors with that of an elderly woman. A chance encounter led them to a woman who had spent her adult years in the enchanting region of Umbria, Italy.

Over steaming cups of coffee, she unveiled tales of the picturesque town of Spello, urging the authors to explore its narrow marble alleyways and embrace the magical allure hidden within its Roman walls.

As she spoke, the woman's eyes darted around, as if anticipating retribution for divulging secrets.

In hushed tones, she revealed the existence of the Sanctuary of Minerva, at the Villa Fidelia, just beyond the village. With an air of secrecy, she beckoned the authors closer and, almost conspiratorially, whispered about a profound secret, the legendary healing properties emanating from the spring of Minerva.

In an embarrassed moment, she adjusted her soft Muslin scarf, concealing a scar that bore witness to the passage of a terrifying incident in her life. Unperturbed by the visible mark of her history, the woman, identified as Jennifer Gubbini, prepared to depart. A quick intervention by Susan implored her to stay and share her extraordinary tale.

As sandwiches and coffee were ordered, the trio settled in for a captivating two and a half hours. Jennifer unfolded a narrative woven with threads of love, magic, and a divine encounter with the goddess Minerva in the quaint town of her father's birth. The story unfolded like a spell, leaving the listeners teary-eyed and emotionally moved.

Upon concluding her tale and the shared repast, Jennifer expressed her gratitude and vanished through the door, leaving an indelible impression on the authors' hearts.

This is the tale of a magical fountain that mended ailments, a narrative grounded in truth, yet draped in the cloak of fiction to honor the privacy of those involved.

As the authors grappled with the enigma of Minerva's connection to Jennifer, they embarked on chronicling the story of a mystical fountain nestled in the enchanting hilltop town of Spello.

The threads of reality and fantasy intertwine, beckoning readers into a realm where magic and healing coalesce beneath the ancient skies of Umbria.


This is Jennifer's story