Umbria

Assisi is one of the most visited cities of Umbria. Here were born two important Saints of Italian history: Saint Francis (San Francesco, which is Italy Saint Patron too) and Saint Clare (Santa Chiara). That’s why this is one of the principal religious centre of Italy, destination of million pilgrims every year. The modern city was built without damaging the structure of the old city: a certain number of little streets connect the squares which are disposed on different levels of the city (Assisi was built on the mountainside of the Mount Subasio). The St. Francis’ Basilica and Saint Clare’s church deserve a visit, but Assisi offers also other kinds of attraction: The Minerva ‘s Temple, for example, or the Palace “Capitano del popolo” and the imposing “Rocca Maggiore”, that is just outside the old walls of the city. Then, wandering through the Regional Park of the Mount Subasio, you’ll enjoy a beautiful landscape and you’ll experience the wonderful natural heritage which characterize this region.

Gubbio was built on calcareous stones, the typical colour of this kind of stone gives it the appellative of “grey city”: it’s the most ancient centre of the region and both the buildings and the streets maintain their medieval appearances. Gubbio has an uniform panorama, maybe repetitive but sublime. As for Assisi, Gubbio’s history its linked to St. Francis: the legend tells that in this city the Saint tamed a ferocious wolf that scared the inhabitants. St. Francis church was built where this miracle took place. Piazza Grande (“The Big Square”) is the centre of this town, you can begin from here your tour of Gubbio. The principal monuments are Palazzo dei Consoli , Palazzo del Capitolo, the Cathedral and the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi… they will tell you the history and the legends of Gubbio.

Todi is an elegant medieval town, one of the most charming destinations in Umbria. It rise, austere and melancholic, on the top of a hill which overlooks the Tiber valley. Walking through the streets of Todi you’ll breathe an atmosphere of past. In Piazza del Popolo, which was the ancient seat of the Roman forum, you could visit the Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Priori, the Palazzo del Capitano and Palazzo del Popolo; They’re all symbols of the powerful past of this town. In this square you could alternate cultural visits to lovely pauses in the beautiful cafés or give a look to the typical workshops to buy the beautiful handwoven cloths. And don’t forget to taste the wine, Todi has a glorious wine tradition.

Spello is situated on a rocky spur of the Mount Subasio, from that position it seems to want to welcome its visitor. The pink stone of the Mount Subasio gives to the town a wonderful colour. As for Spoleto, Spello keeps the marks of its Roman origins, but its medieval structure is still visible too. The remains of the Amphitheatre and of the Theatre are visible inside the ancient walls of the town. The Porta Consolare and the Porta Urbica are in a perfect state of preservation. Walking through the little streets of the centre you can also admire the ancient buildings and the castles, even if they have been modified during the centuries. Spello is an important account of the past, but it is known also for its “infiorata”: the “Infiorata” it’s a festival that take place every year, during the religious festivity of Corpus Domini. In those days the artists crowd the streets of Spello showing their works made with flowers petal and inspired from religious events.

Terni is situated in a big plain, this plain is in the point where the river Serra and the river Nera meet. This city is the typical example of city open to the future but that doesn’t forget its glorious past. From its past Terni keeps the beautiful San Salvatore church and the Romanesque Cathedral. At the same time you can see the futuristic tower that rise over the Palazzo Comunale Vecchio, a clear symbol of a city which looks forward. For people in search of nature beauties we suggest a visit to the Marmore Waterfall: few kilometres from Terni you could see one of the most spectacular sights of this area. The Marmore Waterfall , which is an artificial waterfall created by the Romans, was made to flow the river Velino. This is a lovely place with waters that make a jump of 165 meters and grant charming light games.

This lake charmed famous writers as Goethe, Sthendal and Lord Byron, leaving in their imagination a strong mark. From then on nothing has changed: in this place you can breathe the gentle and elegant atmosphere of that past, with one difference: the XIX century inn has been replaced with country houses, B&B and hostels which welcome tourists and them offers all the comforts they need. Walk through the itinerary of this lake means to live a past which can be recovered thanks to the fabulous natural landscape made of water and trees. After a walk among its beauties the tourists can dedicate to the sports that here are widely practiced: golf, tennis, wind-surf… If you prefer you can just swim in this beautiful water or sunbathe on one of the beautiful little beach of this lake. In a word: you have many reasons to spend your holidays here.

These springs are the main attraction of the naturalistic landscape of Umbria. They are underneath springs that run from Spoleto to Foligno and they feed the river Clitunno. Their suggestive appearance, with a vegetation which surround the riverside and reflect on the crystalline water of the river, gives to this place intensive colours. This place has been inspiration for many writers and artists. In the past people believe that in these waters the god Clitunno lived. Once there were some temples in this area, but they are irremediably lost. Only one little temple survived, in where there are ancient frescoes. The emperor Caligula came here to question the oracle, and it seems that mysterious and ancient religious rites took place here. So these springs have great naturalistic and historical importance.

Norcia is very known for two principal reasons: San Benedetto and for the gastronomy. San Benedetto was the first monk of the Christianity, he founded the Benedictine ordination; the Basilica to him dedicated it is dated on XIV century but, as for all the historical beauties of this city, has been restored many times to the damage consequent to the continues earthquakes of this area. The gastronomy has the typical tastes of the mountains products, this is an other good reason to visit the city. Food makes Norcia famous in all the world: truffle, spelt, lentils and cheeses. In a word: this jewel offers to its visitor the chance to enjoy beautiful historical visits with tasty gastronomical excursions. Inside the ancient walls of this city you can also visit the Cathedral and the civic museum.

The perfect communion between Orvieto and the tuff stone, on which the city was built, it’s an example of the harmonic integration between territory and human presence. This beautiful town is the favourite destination of people in search of quality tourism. Orvieto offers to its visitors a rich patrimony: historical, artistic, gastronomical and natural. Walking among its streets means walking through its millenarian history: in every corner of Orvieto you can recognize marks of the past. You can start your visit with the Cathedral then continue in direction of the Rocca and of St Patrick’s well. Continue walking on Corso Cavour, after a stop in the ancient workshops, you’ll arrive in Piazza del Popolo where the Palazzo del Popolo and the Palazzi Papali dominate the square. During your visit have a pause in the characteristic restaurants to taste the delicious typical products of this territory.

The Roman influence is still visible in this city, in spite of the medieval structure underlined by the little streets that crosses the centre of Spoleto. At the ancient Romans origins belong the Roman theatre, Druso’s Arch and the pre-Christian Basilica of San Salvatore. But the monument that dominate on this city it’s the fortress built by the cardinal Albornoz during the second half of 1300. The Eroli’s Chapel and the Relic’s Chapel are two attractions that you should not miss: in the first one you could admire the beautiful frescoes made by the Pinturicchio, while the latter keeps a beautiful statue of the Virgin with child of the XIV century.
In the centre of the city there’s the majestic Cathedral and near it the Palazzo Arroni and the church of Santa Maria della manna d’oro (lit. Saint Mary of the golden manna). Not only art, Spoleto is also the city of an important cultural festival: the “Festival dei due mondi”: a show made of movies, theatre, art, music and ballet.