My House in Umbria: why this corner of Italy heals the soul
My House in Umbria (2003) is a movie that captures the spirit of this corner of Italy so vividly that it becomes more than entertainment, but a literal passport to another world.
The movie features the legendary Maggie Smith, and, though it’s fictional, it offers a glimpse into something deeply real - the timeless, soul-soothing charm of Italy’s green heart: Umbria.
For travelers enchanted by Italy's slower rhythms, rich culture, and rural elegance, this film is an invitation to fall in love with Umbria before you even set foot there. It’s a reminder that, beyond the well-trodden paths of Tuscany, Rome, Venice, and more, lies a region where simplicity, serenity, and authenticity still reign.
A Glimpse Into My House in Umbria
The story follows Emily Delahunty (Maggie Smith), a British romance novelist living in a peaceful villa nestled in the Umbrian countryside. After surviving a terrorist bombing on a train to Milan, she brings several fellow survivors - a reserved English general, a quiet German photographer, and a traumatized American girl named Aimee - into her villa in Umbria to heal.
As the days unfold under the Umbrian sunny and quiet landscapes, something extraordinary happens: strangers become companions, wounds begin to mend, and unspoken pain finds space to breathe. Maggie Smith delivers a subtle, award-winning performance that gives the film its emotional core, that quietly resonates with anyone who's ever found comfort in the unexpected.
Umbria as a Symbol of Healing
My House in Umbria is deeply connected to the spirit of Umbria itself. The region’s quiet hills, centuries-old olive groves, and weathered stone villas are more than just scenery, they’re part of the region and its story and tradition.
Umbria doesn’t shout for attention; it remains almost hidden in the centre of Italy and it quietly invites you in. In the movie, Emily’s villa becomes a refuge—a place where silence isn’t empty but comforting, where meals are shared beneath pergolas and time moves at the pace of the land. The Umbrian landscape mirrors the emotional journey of the characters: grounding, steady, and full of subtle beauty.
This is what Umbria offers to travelers in real life, too. Whether you're sipping a glass of Sagrantino or walking through the medieval streets of Bevagna, Spello, Gubbio or Assisi, the region offers something rare in our fast-paced world: space to slow down, reconnect, and simply be.
Why the Film Still Speaks to Us Today
For travelers dreaming of Italy (not just the Italy of postcards, but the one of real human warmth, morning church bells, and garden dinners), My House in Umbria offers more than a story. It offers an experience. It taps into a growing desire for deeper travel, for places that feel personal and untouched by time.
In many ways, the film celebrates the very essence of why we travel: to rediscover what matters, to heal from what we carry, and to see the world—and ourselves—with new eyes.
If you’ve ever imagined owning a little house in Italy, or finding peace among olive trees and rolling hills, this film is a gentle nudge toward Umbria. And who knows? Maybe it’s the beginning of your own Italian chapter.
Continue your Journey
📬 Want more inspiration? Subscribe to our newsletter for insider tips, local insights, and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
📸 And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram [@CasaUmbra] for daily photos, reels, and updates straight from the green heart of Italy.