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Italy,
Umbria
Umbria: -
Sometimes referred to as ‘the green heart of Italy’, Umbria is a small, hilly and fairly untouched region between Tuscany and Marche, with little industry and few towns of any great size. The landscape is similar to that of Tuscany and combines austere Medieval architecture and stone farmhouses with gently rolling hills and rivers. Lake Trasimeno is contained within the Trasimeno Regional Park, and serves as a seasonal home to many species of migrating birds, while the River Nera Regional Park contains the Marmore Waterfalls, the highest falls in Italy. Umbria’s rich history is still very much in evidence: traces of Umbri, Etruscan and Roman cultures exist alongside Medieval and Renaissance architecture in towns such as Assisi, Orvieto, Perugia and Spoleto.
Perugia: Umbria’s capital has been continuously inhabited for more than 25 centuries and contains many Etruscan and Roman remains. Particularly notable are the ancient Etruscan city walls, the Piazza IV Novembre with the Cathedral, and the Fontana Maggiore (Great Fountain). On the top floor of the 14th-century Palazzo dei Priori, the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria contains one of the world’s finest collections of Renaissance paintings, with works by Piero della Francesca, Perugino, Beato Angelico and others. The state-funded Università per Stranieri (University for Foreigners) offers courses for foreigners wishing to study Italian language and civilisation. Perugia is less than two hours by car from Florence and Rome, and one hour from Siena.
Assisi: A picturesque Medieval hilltown to the east of Perugia, Assisi is famous as the birthplace of St Francis, founder of the Franciscan order of monks. The life of St Francis is commemorated in frescoes by Giotto in the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco, one of Italy’s best-loved and most-visited churches. Other interesting sites include the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Roman Temple of Minerva.
Orvieto: Orvieto is a Medieval city perched on a volcanic outcrop. The well-preserved city centre has a number of sites and buildings dating from the Etruscan period. Orvieto’s most memorable monument is the Duomo (Cathedral), which cleverly mixes Romanesque and Gothic styles.
Spoleto: The peaceful streets of the romantic hilltown of Spoleto come alive each year for the world-renowned Summer Festival, featuring music, theatre and a range of other cultural events. The town has several interesting Roman monuments, including the classical Arch of Druso and the Roman Theatre, plus the Medieval Ponte delle Torri bridge and a number of delightful Romanesque churches.
Gubbio & Todi: Other important Umbrian towns include Gubbio, a well-preserved Medieval town situated at the foot of Mount Ingino and home to the famous Gubbio Tablets – the oldest surviving record of the Umbrian people; and Todi, overlooking the Tiber valley, whose beautiful Medieval square is surrounded by a wealth of historic buildings, including the 13th-century Palazzo del Popolo, the Palazzo del Capitano and the Cathedral.
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