A curiosity about Orvieto linked to the production of “drinks” is that of “Orvietan“: a sweet compound that was said to have healing properties, a real elixir against diseases, a real “universal remedy”.
This compound was invented by this Girolamo Ferranti from Orvieto (called Orvietano) and subsequently the Orvietan secret recipe was handed down to new “Orvietans” who inherited it with exclusive sales rights. Among them such Christopher Contugi who proposed the compound nothing less to the French king Louis XIV, the famous “Sun King”.
The appreciation of the powerful French king facilitated the popularity of Orvietan throughout Europe to the point of being mentioned in a comedy by Molière as well. This fame lasted until the 19th century, when the advent of new medicines took the place of natural remedies.
