Perugia in one day: a journey through art, history and flavours

Do you only have one day to visit Perugia?

Don’t worry: with our advice, you will live an unforgettable experience in the heart of Umbria. This city, rich in history, art and culinary traditions, is the perfect destination for a getaway dedicated to beauty and taste.

Morning: discovering the historic center
Your adventure begins in Piazza IV Novembre, the nerve center of Perugia. Admire the magnificent Fontana Maggiore, one of the most beautiful medieval works of art in Italy, and the evocative Cathedral of San Lorenzo, with its interior rich in history and spirituality.

Right next to the Cathedral in the Cloister, you can access Perugia Sotterranea, it will be like taking a real journey through the centuries. This experience, little known even by the people of Perugia themselves, allows you to visit the submerged world of the city of Perugia, and learn about the various stratifications: from the Etruscans, through the Romans and the papal settlement, up to the current conformation of the city center.

Also in Piazza IV Novembre, you will find the majestic Palazzo dei Priori, which houses the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria.

Here you can admire masterpieces by artists such as Perugino, Raphael’s teacher, and Pinturicchio. If you love art and history, this is an essential stop.

Lunch: authentic Umbrian flavors
For lunch, immerse yourself in the local gastronomic tradition. A typical trattoria is the ideal place to enjoy dishes such as umbricelli with black truffle or torta al testo, a focaccia filled with cured meats and cheeses. If you prefer something more rustic, a platter of local products and a glass of wine will give you an authentic taste of Umbria.

Afternoon: a journey through the past and views
In the afternoon, visit the evocative Rocca Paolina, a true underground city built in the 16th century by order of Pope Paul III. Walking through its underground alleys will be like reliving the Perugia of the Renaissance.

Then, stroll along the Corso Vannucci, the main street of the city, full of shops, cafes and artisan workshops. Here you can buy unique souvenirs, such as hand-painted ceramics, artisanal fabrics or the famous Perugina chocolate.

Take a break. We recommend that you taste the food of the gods in one of our chocolate shops in the historic center.

Before ending the day, stop at Giardino Carducci, a perfect place to relax and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Umbrian valley. From here, the sunset offers magical colors that will remain in your heart.

Contact us to discover every hidden corner, organizing personalized tours, culinary experiences and activities that will make your trip unforgettable.

💚 We are waiting for you in Umbria 💚

Umbria in Fiction

L’Umbria da Fiction
Benvenuti in Umbria, nel cuore verde dell’Italia, una Regione che incanta con la sua bellezza naturale e il suo fascino storico. Ma c’è qualcosa di magico nell’Umbria che va oltre i suoi paesaggi mozzafiato e le sue città medievali: è il luogo dove la magia del cinema e della televisione prende vita!
In questo viaggio cinematografico, esploreremo i luoghi incantati dell’Umbria che sono servito da sfondo per film e fiction, portando sullo schermo la ricchezza della sua cultura e della sua storia.

Città della Pieve e “CARABINIERI”
Città della Pieve caratterizzata dai suoi edifici in mattoni rossi e situata al confine tra l’Umbria e la Toscana, è stata forse la prima location in Umbria a fare da sfondo per avvincenti inseguimenti tra criminali e carabinieri, nella Fiction “Carabinieri” e che ha fatto da trampolino di lancio nella carriera da attori come Manuela Arcuri, Martina Colombari, Lorenzo Crespi…
La caserma dei carabinieri è stata collocata in via Maddalena 34 in un istituto tecnico.
Il celebre Bar Pippo, frequentato dai protagonisti della fiction, si trova invece in Piazza Matteotti, ed è ancora oggi attivo.

Assisi e “CHE DIO CI AIUTI
Assisi è stata la protagonista delle ultime stagioni della celebre fiction Rai “Che Dio ci aiuti”.
Girovagando per le strade della città, è possibile identificare gli edifici storici di Assisi che fungono da cornice alle avventure di Suor Angela, interpretata dall’attrice Elena Sofia Ricci, che attraversa il centro storico a bordo del suo ormai iconico pulmino blu. Location delle riprese sono state anche la maestosa Basilica Papale di San Francesco, la Basilica di Santa Chiara e la Cattedrale di San Rufino. Molti dei dialoghi tra Suor Angela e Suor Costanza, interpretata dall’attrice Francesca Chillemi, sono state girate, per esempio, nella chiesetta di San Giacomo de Muro Rupto.

Perugia e “LUISA SPAGNOLI”
Perugia
, la pittoresca capitale dell’Umbria, è stata il set per numerose produzioni cinematografiche e televisive: una tra queste, trasmessa nel 2016, è la serie televisiva dedicata a Luisa Spagnoli (ne avevamo parlato qui), imprenditrice lungimirante e creatrice del marchio di moda che porta il suo nome e del famoso Bacio Perugina, il cioccolatino con la nocciola ideato insieme al marito Francesco Buitoni.
La scenografia si è sviluppata soprattutto in piazza IV Novembre, tra la Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, la Fontana Maggiore e Palazzo Priori. Luisa Spagnoli, interpretata dalla bellissima e bravissima Luisa Ranieri, ha sfoggiato eleganti abiti d’epoca mentre percorreva Corso Vannucci, il corso principale di Perugia ma anche le suggestive scalette di Sant’Ercolano

“DON MATTEO” tra Gubbio e Spoleto
Gubbio
, con le sue case di pietra e i vicoli stretti, è un vero tesoro medievale che ha attirato registi di tutto il mondo. La città è stata utilizzata come primo set per il film “Don Matteo”, prima di passare. Gubbio offre un’atmosfera autentica che ha reso la serie ancora più coinvolgente per gli spettatori. A Gubbio, in particolare, sono stati utilizzati la Chiesa di San Giovanni per la canonica e la chiesa della Fiction. Nella Piazza Grande, di fronte al Palazzo dei Consolo, invece, si trovata la caserma del maresciallo Cecchini, dove è ancora posizionato il tavolo delle partite a scacchi tra Don Matteo e il Maresciallo. Le famose passeggiate in bicicletta di Terence Hill – DON MATTEO, sono girare in Via Savelli, Via Piccardi e Via Baldassini.

A Spoleto, invece, la maestosa Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, conosciuta anche come Duomo di Spoleto, è la location iconica della serie. Questo capolavoro di architettura romanica ospita opere d’arte straordinarie e rappresenta uno dei luoghi più sacri della città. Nella trama di “Don Matteo”, la cattedrale ospita la Canonica, la Caserma dei Carabinieri e il Parlatorio.
Poco distante si può ammirare Piazza della Signoria dove sono state girate molte scene della Fiction. Palazzo Bufalini è stato utilizzato per le riprese in esterna della Caserma dei Carabinieri.

L’Umbria è molto più di un’incantevole regione italiana: è un mondo di possibilità per cineasti e registi che desiderano catturare la sua bellezza e il suo fascino senza tempo. Esplorare i luoghi dove sono stati girati film e fiction in Umbria è un modo affascinante per scoprire la regione da una prospettiva unica, attraverso gli occhi dei creatori cinematografici che hanno reso questi luoghi indimenticabili sul grande e piccolo schermo.

 

Pozzo di San Patrizio: a pioneering hydraulic work

It was the year 1527 when the Florentine architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger was commissioned to build a Well in the heart of the city of Orvieto, a work that would later prove to be a real pioneering and avant-garde enterprise.
The task was ordered by the then Pope Clement VII, during the Sack of Rome, who wanted to give the city that gave him refuge (after having arrived there disguised as a greengrocer), a supply of water that was always available, especially during difficult periods such as sieges (or famines). A medal was also minted later, now kept in the Vatican Museums, with the engraving “ut populus bibat” – “for the people to drink”.

Initially the Pope had imagined the Pozzo for use in the fortified fortress of the Albornoz Fortress (hence the name “Pozzo della Rocca”). We have to wait for the 1800s for the current name Pozzo di San Patrizio.

Renaissance avant-garde
The architect Sangallo designed the cylindrical well, 58 meters deep, starting and taking inspiration from the spiral staircase of the Villa del Belvedere in the Vatican with a helicoidal design of steps (248) designed so that no traffic jams were created. and in fact whoever went down and whoever went up had their own “way” free, especially those who went there with mules.
There are 72 windows that illuminate the well until it reaches the semi-darkness in depth, where there is a small bridge connecting the two stairways.
The Well, completed in 1537, was built by digging into the tuff (Orvieto is famous precisely for its tufaceous soils and tuff tunnels where many famous Orvieto wines are kept and refined today) and then into the clay up to the aquifer of natural origin.
At the entrance you read “quod natura munimento inviderat industry adiecit – what nature had not given, industry procured”, a clear celebration of human ingenuity at the service of nature.

The Well and Ireland
As mentioned, the name Pozzo di San Patrizio, arrived in the 1800s at the behest of the friars of the Convento dei Servi who were aware of the legend of the “Irish saint”, St. Patrick, guardian of a cave so deep that it did not have a bottom enough to be recognized as St. Patrick’s Purgatory (and once it reached the bottom by overcoming the “tests” it was then possible to enter Paradise) and that the well was even connected to Ireland, where the Saint did the work of evangelization, and often found in the Well a time for reflection and prayer. Thus it was that the Pozzo became a sacred rather than a military destination. Today a tourist and cultural destination of great impact and emotion.

Umbrian Christmas Recipes

Christmas Flavor in Umbria: A Culinary Journey through Typical Recipes

Christmas is a magical celebration, and what better way to celebrate it than immersing oneself in the culinary traditions of a region rich in history and authenticity? In Umbria, the Christmas table is a true spectacle of flavors, with dishes that reflect generosity and love for local traditions. In this article, we will explore some of the typical Christmas recipes in Umbria, offering a taste of the gastronomic heritage that makes this region unique.

The typical family Christmas menu in Umbria.

Appetizers:

Chicken Liver Crostini
A simple recipe, typical of the peasant tradition in this region, widely spread and appreciated throughout Central Italy. Chicken liver pâté crostini are always present on the table, especially during the holiday season. It is an appetizer with a very distinctive flavor, slightly tangy and quite savory. The pâté is made with chicken livers and is excellent when paired with Umbrian rustic bread – known for being low in salt – lightly toasted. The warm and fragrant crostini served with this flavorful sauce pairs well with a good glass of local red wine.

Chicken Galantine
An Umbrian dish considered a classic of Christmas lunch in the regional tradition. It seems that it was usually the housewives who cooked it in exchange for money or, more often, according to simple barter rules, for other essential products. It can be reasonably assumed that not only did every town, fortress, or village exhibit its own galantine recipe, claiming it to be the best, but every woman or man who ventured into the task had their own personal interpretation. This stuffed chicken terrine is both majestic, intimidating, and instructive. We could consider it a kind of relic of “synthetic” cuisine, as it puts everything (literally everything) together. It’s also a bit like a Chinese puzzle box, as each element is skillfully fitted inside the other. It starts with the chicken, deboned and gutted. The outer layer is filled with meat (chicken, beef, salted tongue, ground pork), eggs, mortadella (but also ham and lard), pistachios, cream, truffles. The resulting food chimera is secured with sturdy strings (twine), cooked in broth, and, once cooled, served in slices with chicken jelly.

First Course:

Cappelletti in Broth
Homemade cappelletti are a must during the Christmas holidays in Umbria. These small ravioli filled with beef and pork are cooked and served in a rich broth, providing warmth and comfort to diners during the cold winter days.

Second Course:

Stewed Capon
It is a castrated rooster cooked slowly in a rich sauce based on red wine and aromas such as rosemary and bay leaves. The capon is marinated with garlic, white wine, and herbs before cooking. Often accompanied by side dishes like mashed potatoes, Stewed Capon represents Umbrian culinary tradition, offering a tasty dish symbolizing conviviality.

Desserts:

Panpepato
Panpepato is one of the most beloved Christmas delicacies in Umbria. A mixture of nuts, almonds, candied fruit, honey, chocolate, and a myriad of spices, this sweet recalls the Sienese panforte but with a unique Umbrian touch. It is a true explosion of Christmas flavors that delights the senses.

Torciglione
Among the typical Umbrian Christmas sweets, there is one with a very particular shape: torciglione. Its origins are still uncertain: some claim that its shape resembles a lake eel, others that of a snake. Regardless of its history, it is a famous sweet throughout the region, with various versions that can vary in dosage or the presence of certain ingredients, but especially in the final decorations, leaving ample space for creativity.

Rocciata
A traditional sweet during the winter holiday period (from early November to Carnival), mainly prepared at Christmas, roc- ciata is a typical recipe of Foligno, Assisi, and Spello. Its spiral shape resembles that of a snake coiled upon itself, and its red color is given by alchermes. Inside the dough, a rich filling of cooked apples with walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, dried figs, raisins, and chocolate. Naturally, there are variations based on the area and family traditions, which usually remain secret!

Pinoccata
Traditional Christmas sweets in Perugia, pinoccate are packaged in colorful and festive papers that brighten shop windows, gift baskets, and tables. It seems that these sweets were in use among Benedictine monks since the 14th century and were still consumed at the end of lavish Christmas lunches in the late 18th century.

Almost exclusive to the Umbrian capital, this sweet owes its name, known in variations such as pinoccati, pinocchiati, pinoccate, and pinocchiate, to pine nuts, formerly more frequently called pinocchi, which constitute its main ingredient and give it an unusual and spicy taste. It consists of a mixture composed only of water and sugar boiled until obtaining a thick syrup, in which a quantity of pine nuts almost equivalent to that of sugar is immersed. On half of the dough, from which many small diamonds will then be drawn, cocoa is added, useful to dampen the excessive sweet taste and also to diversify these products, then wrapped in pairs: one white and the other black.

The contrast between the two colors seems to evoke medieval decorative taste when very distant colors were approached, a taste found in architecture, decorative arts, but also in coats of arms, shields, banners, and banners (not to mention games – from checkers to chess – and city factions like whites and blacks). The packaging with which the sweet is presented seems to refer to the same medieval and Renaissance world: wrapped in paper as if it were a large candy, it is similar to those “throwing sweets” that were actually thrown during mock battles between knights and in tournaments of the feasts of those distant times.

 

The Story of the Nativity Scene of Saint Francis

Umbria is a land of ancient traditions and deep spirituality. In today’s Christmas-flavored article, we will delve into one of the most significant traditions: the Nativity Scene of Saint Francis of Assisi. This sacred representation is a testament to Umbria’s cultural and religious heritage, an icon of faith and devotion that attracts visitors from around the world.

The Birth of the Nativity Scene of Saint Francis The Nativity Scene of Saint Francis has ancient roots dating back to the 13th century. The story goes that in 1223, Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Italy and founder of the Franciscan order, created the first living representation of the Nativity Scene in the Umbrian town of Greccio. This year marks the eight hundredth anniversary of the first representation. The Nativity Scene was a true gift to the birth of Jesus Christ, and Saint Francis thus initiated a tradition that has lasted for centuries throughout Italy and beyond.

The representation of the Nativity Scene in Greccio was conceived by Saint Francis as a humble cave, with a worn-out manger, and at its center, the Saint with his prayers, hymns to life, holy songs, and his profound devotion. It is in this atmosphere that the Baby Jesus makes His presence known.

Today, as in the past, the Nativity Scene is not just an artistic representation but also a powerful spiritual symbol. It embodies humility, simplicity, and the love that Saint Francis had for the child Jesus. This tradition encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith and the importance of reflecting on the true values of Christmas: love, compassion, and sharing.

The Magic of the Umbrian Nativity Scene Every year, during the Christmas season, the small villages and cities of Umbria come alive with the magic of the Nativity Scene of Saint Francis. Streets are filled with sparkling lights, Christmas music, and the air is filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. Citizens passionately dedicate themselves to creating intricate and detailed scenarios depicting the nativity. Houses, streets, and squares are transformed into real living paintings, capturing the attention and admiration of residents and tourists.

The Umbrian Nativity Scene stands out for its authenticity and attention to detail, capturing the essence of daily life at the time. The figurines, skillfully crafted by local artisans, are often handmade and painted with vibrant colors, lending the Nativity Scene a touching realism.

Visiting Umbria During the Christmas Season For anyone wanting to live this unique experience, visiting Umbria during the Christmas season is an unforgettable adventure. In addition to contemplating the wonderful Nativity Scenes of Saint Francis and the living nativities in various historical and medieval villages, there are scattered Santa Claus Markets in picturesque locations such as Perugia’s Rocca Paolina, or the world’s largest Christmas tree in Gubbio or the world’s largest Christmas tree on the water of Lake Trasimeno.

Don’t miss these fantastic events; we look forward to welcoming you for your Christmas in Umbria!

 

What to do in Umbria in December? UmbriaSì tells you

December is a magical month in Umbria, when the landscape transforms into an enchanting winter scene.

We would love to guide you through a unique journey in this fascinating region, offering you an unforgettable experience during the festive season.

Discover with us what to do in Umbria in December and let yourself be enchanted by this unique destination.

Christmas Markets
Get into the festive atmosphere by exploring the Christmas markets of Perugia and Assisi, Gubbio, Spoleto, Orvieto, Terni
The squares are filled with twinkling lights, colorful stalls and the delicious smell of local specialties. It’s the perfect opportunity to buy unique gifts and taste Umbrian delicacies.

The world’s largest Christmas tree on the water on Lake Trasimeno
The Christmas tree on Lake Trasimeno is a magical tradition that lights up the shores of the lake in December. The tree displays twinkling lights, creating an enchanting spectacle reflected on the water. The lighting ceremony, usually accompanied by festive events, attracts visitors and residents, creating a unique Christmas atmosphere on the shores of this picturesque Umbrian lake. An unmissable experience to immerse yourself in the magic of the holidays in a suggestive context.

The largest tree in the world in Gubbio
It is certainly one of the most impactful Christmas attractions not only for Umbria, welcoming visitors who flock to admire the largest tree in the world from all over Italy and abroad.
Located along the slopes of Mount Igino, it is made up of around 800 lights powered by renewable sources and therefore not only a project with a great tourist impact but also eco-sustainable.

Living Nativity Scenes: Tradition and Authenticity
Umbria is a land of ancient traditions and deep spirituality. With today’s Christmas-themed article, we will immerse ourselves in one of the most significant traditions: the Nativity Scene of St. Francis of Assisi.
This sacred representation is a testimony to Umbria’s cultural and religious heritage, an icon of faith and devotion that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Umbria in December offers a unique experience that blends the magic of the holidays with the beauty of nature and tradition. Trust us to organize your trip, ensuring a complete immersion in the culture, gastronomy and scenic wonders of this fascinating Italian region.

Make your December unforgettable with a trip to Umbria.

💚 We are waiting for you in Umbria 💚

Luisa Spagnoli

Beyond Fashion and Chocolate, a Woman Philanthropist on the Horizon

Luisa Spagnoli, a name that evokes immediate images of refined fashion and chocolate delicacies. However, his legacy goes far beyond runways and treats. Today, we want to reveal the lesser-known side of this extraordinary woman: her philanthropist soul.

For those, like me, who were fortunate enough to wander the picturesque hill of Santa Lucia at a young age, it was not at all uncommon to come across angora bunnies that had escaped from Luisa’s gardens. After the devastation of the Second World War, Luisa Spagnoli became passionate about these adorable animals, starting not only to create a collection of them, but to intuit a secret that would revolutionize the world of fashion: the art of combing, rather than shearing, these rabbits . A kind gesture that allowed us to obtain a yarn with unprecedented softness, a fabric that pampered the skin like no other.

And what about his delicious chocolates? The Bacio Perugina is a name known throughout the world, but there is another tablet that bears his name, a creation that some Perugians affectionately call “Carrarmato”, perhaps as a tribute to his tenacity and strength of mind.

And finally, we cannot forget the contribution of Luisa Spagnoli to the creation of Città della Domenica, the first theme park in Italy, born thanks to the ingenuity of her son Mario in 1963. She decided to use the land she owned on Mount Pulito, in the Ferro di Cavallo neighborhood in Perugia, in a park for family leisure, a sort of ideal city that was initially supposed to take the name of “Spagnolia”. Of enormous size for its time (over 43 hectares of land), the park presents, immersed in the dense Umbrian vegetation, wildlife areas and fairy-tale themed structures.

Luisa Spagnoli was much more than just a fashion and chocolate icon. She was a visionary woman, a generous philanthropist and an inspiration to future generations. His legacy extends far beyond the confines of catwalks and chocolates, a shining example of how passion, dedication and kindness can shape the world for the benefit of all.

Credit photo by:
Cittàdelladomenica.it
NestlèItalia.it
Ilverdemondo.it
Kongnews.it
IlDenaro.it

Federico da Montefeltro by bike

Federico da Montefeltro by bike

Gubbio-Urbino
Duration: MTB 4.40 h E-MTB 3.36 h
Distance: 61.7 km
Difference in altitude: 1,280+
Points of interest: Gubbio, Cantiano, Cagli, Fermignano, Metauro waterfall, Urbino.

A 75 km itinerary that separates the ducal city from the birthplace of Federico da Montefeltro.
It is an itinerary rich in art and culture on one side and wonderful natural landscapes on the other, the one that connects Gubbio to Urbino.
The route develops largely on panoramic and low-traffic roads, immersed in the charming Umbria-Marche countryside, touching the places where Federico da Montefeltro, one of the most famous figures of the Renaissance, had a strong influence.
Departure from Gubbio, the birthplace of Federico da Montefeltro.
Federico’s affection and the greatest intensity of his feelings went to Gubbio, as he wrote in 1446: «because we can assure you that there is all our heart and all our soul».
It is here that he built his palace as the second seat of the duchy and the second capital rich in pre-Roman and classical vestiges.

We go up towards Urbino, along the old Contessa road, crossing the ancient borders of the state of Feltre, Cantiano and Cagli where the Duke was Lord by birth with titles obtained from his father through
the papal investiture in 1424 AD.
In Cagli, the Torrione is all that remains of the ancient fortress, designed by Francesco Di Giorgio Martini, which was part of a defense plan desired by Duke Federico da Montefeltro.

Having abandoned its defense function, the Torrione today is not only a beautiful historical monument, but also the headquarters of the Contemporary Sculpture Center. The rooms host works by internationally renowned artists,
such as Mattiacci, Kounellis, Nagasawa, Icaro and many others. Their sculptures rest on an unprecedented and original scenography, harmonizing with stone and bricks, creating an incredibly suggestive effect.
Fermignano is a small town of Roman origin that stands on the left bank of the Metauro river, with all around the soft and hilly landscape typical of Montefeltro.

After about 60 km the arrival in Urbino, the city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cradle of the Italian Renaissance and city of Raphael. Urbino is the pearl of the Marche also known as the “ideal city” because of
the painting of the same name preserved in the Palazzo Ducale, one of the most beautiful works of the Renaissance and the beating heart of the city of Urbino in which some of the greatest architects, painters, sculptors and
workers called by Federico from many parts of Italy and Europe participated.
Urbino is the perfect representation of a classic Italian village: the crisscrossing alleys, the delicious smell at every corner, the magnificent panorama that surrounds the town and then… so much art!

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    Gallery

    Ex railway from Camporeggiano to Fossato di Vico

    Ex railway from Camporeggiano to Fossato di Vico

    Points of interest visited

    Gubbio

    It is known as the “city of stone” and stands on the side of Mount Ingino: Gubbio will captivate you at first sight with its medieval charm to be discovered in its labyrinth of alleys and streets. The origins of Gubbio are rooted in the ancient Umbrian civilization, as evidenced by the so-called Eugubine Tablets written in the Umbrian language and dating back to the 3rd-1st century BC. You can admire them in the rooms of the Civic Museum in Palazzo dei Consoli. Gubbio’s golden age began around the year 1000, at the era of the Communes. Under the leadership of Bishop Ubaldo, in 1100, the city won a war against Perugia. In the meantime, arts and crafts spread, including the processing of majolica. In 1300 the city took on the form it still has today. Some of Gubbio’s most beautiful buildings date back to that period. A walk in the center Start your tour from Gubbio’s jewel, Piazza Grande or Piazza della Signoria, a “hanging” square that overlooks the city. On its sides are the city’s public buildings: the Gothic-style Palazzo dei Consoli and the Palazzo Pretorio, one in front of the other. Also take a look at the Palazzo Ranghiasci Brancaleoni, which is located in the same square. A stone’s throw away is the Renaissance-style Palazzo Ducale. From the gardens of Palazzo Ducale you have a beautiful view of the city. Pay attention to the tall, narrow door to the side of the large door: it is the Porta del morto. According to legend, the coffins of the deceased passed through here. Along the walls, which are located just above the palace and date back to 1200, there are six doors, some of which are still decorated with paintings and city coats of arms. Among the churches, you shouldn’t miss the cathedral of Saints Mariano and Giacomo. Also worth a visit is the church of San Francesco, built on the land of the ancient Spadalonga family who welcomed him after leaving his father’s house and all his belongings. It is located at the foot of the city, where the market was held in the Middle Ages and where the very long Loggia dei Tiratori, built in 1600 by the weavers’ guild, still stands. Here they hung the newly woven woolen cloths. The real wonder of Gubbio, however, is the Fontana dei Matti in front of the Bargello palace. Anyone can get a crazy license by walking three laps around the fountain and getting wet in the presence of a Gubbio resident who certifies it. Where to go in the surrounding area Just leave the medieval walls of Gubbio and another world of surprises opens up to discover: the Roman theater, the nearby Roman mausoleum, the Abbey of San Secondo, the seventeenth-century Madonna del Prato rich in stucco and the church of Vittorina built right where, according to legend, Saint Francis met the wolf.

    The Bottaccione Gorge

    Near Gubbio are the Bottaccione Gorges, ideal for a trip just outside the city. It is a deep gorge due to the erosion of the Carmignano stream, but it is also very rich in historical evidence. Here there is an aqueduct that runs along the gorge and dates back to the Middle Ages. In the gorge there is also the Monastery of Sant’Ambrogio, which stands near a prehistoric citadel dating back to the Paleolithic. The hermitage dates back to 1300 and was known for its strict rules as well as for its inaccessible position that guaranteed silence and solitude. Don’t miss the visit, starting from the underground caves and ending with the frescoes of the church

    At the top of Mount Ingino: the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo

    The Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo is located right at the top of the mountain that watches over Gubbio, but don’t worry, if you don’t feel like hiking you can reach it with a comfortable cable car and you will have the whole city at your feet. Here the urn with the body of Sant’Ubaldo, patron saint of Gubbio is kept. And the famous race of the Festa dei Ceri on May 15th also arrives here. The church is of medieval origins, but during the 1500s it was expanded with the addition of the convent and the cloister. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the exterior, go inside to admire the richness of the five naves and the stained glass windows that tell the life of Saint Ubaldo.

    Colmollaro Castle

    The Colmollaro Castle is located on a rise in the land, partly surrounded by a thick forest, along the road to Galvana and Serra Brumonti in the south-facing sector of the Eugubine territory. Although it represents the last defensive bastion of the Eugubine basin in this area, it is remembered above all as a fief of the Raffaelli, a noble Eugubine family of Ghibelline orientation. One of whose representatives, Bosone Novello, became friends with Dante Alighieri near Arezzo where he had taken refuge after the expulsion of the Ghibellines from Gubbio. Tradition reports that the great poet, exiled from his homeland, found refuge with his friend Bosone who, once he returned to Gubbio, settled in this castle where Dante, his guest, wrote part of the Divine Comedy.

    Former Branca station

    The station was inaugurated on April 5, 1886, and remained active until May 22, 1945, when the railway, destroyed by bombing during the Second World War, definitively ceased operation. The last convoy that ran on the line stopped in Branca: it was a passenger train that was machine-gunned by the Germans just before the station, and was then towed by a tractor in the station square itself. The 12 holes caused by bullets on the track-side facade of the passenger building have been maintained and made clearly visible.

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      From stone to sea

      From stone to sea

      The beating heart of the city and the protagonist of any visit is the scenic and panoramic Piazza Grande, an extraordinary example of a “suspended square”, supported by the arches that can be admired in the lower part of Gubbio, from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the valley.

      The square is home to Palazzo dei Consoli, the symbol of the city, built in Gothic style to testify to the importance of Gubbio in the medieval era. Inside Palazzo dei Consoli is the Gubbio civic museum, with the “campanone” and the seven “Eugubine Tables”, the most important document for the history of the Italic peoples, dating back to between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. Palazzo dei Consoli also has a curious historical record: it is the first Italian building to have had running water, pipes and toilets.

      In the lower part of the town is Piazza Quaranta Martiri, a market area in the Middle Ages. On the south side is the church of San Francesco, to which the episode of San Francesco and the wolf is linked. According to the story, when he arrived in Gubbio, San Francesco found the city deserted because the inhabitants were afraid of a ferocious wolf. San Francesco went into the forest and made a pact with the animal that the wolf would no longer attack the men, who would instead feed and care for him. The stone on which the pact was signed and the stone of the tomb where the wolf was later buried are still visible in this church. In the highest part of the city, at 908 meters above sea level, on Mount Ingino, you can admire the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo which houses the remains of the saint and the famous candles. It is worth climbing on foot or by cable car. The little cable car adventure is recommended: you go up for about 500 meters suspended in the void in a small “cage” that can fit a maximum of 2 people, with a breathtaking panoramic view of the roofs of Gubbio and the surrounding countryside.

      The municipality of Scheggia and Pascelupo is a mountainous territory of about 64 km², which occupies the north-eastern portion of Umbria, on the border with the Marche, and is the only Umbrian municipality located entirely on the Adriatic side of the Apennine chain. Immersed in the heart of the Umbrian-Marche Apennines, it occupies a vast area of the Monte Cucco park. Woods, rocky walls, ravines, and springs of clear water are frequent.
      The area, in addition to a notable variety of plants such as beech, holm oak, and downy oak, is also home to animal species at risk of extinction, such as the Apennine wolf, the golden eagle, and the otter. Nearby are Mount Catria (1701 m), Mount Cucco (1566 m), Mount Motette (1331 m), Mount Le Gronde (1373 m), the Rio Freddo gorge and the Valle delle Prigioni.

      The Sentino river, with its course along the valley of the same name, crosses the territory of the municipality, but there are numerous other watercourses, among which the Rio Freddo (coming from the Monte Cucco massif), the Artino River and the Fosso della Gorga (which
      come from the Monte Catria group), the Fosso della Pezza (from Monte Tino), the Fosso di Campitello or Bulgarello, and the Sanbucara ditch (coming from Monte Motette) and the Fosso la Foce (from Monte Orneti) stand out for their importance in terms of flow.
      There are also numerous springs and sources of fresh water throughout the surrounding mountainous territory, including the Fontanelle source (783 m), S. Giglio spring, Campora spring and Peschi spring along the slopes of Mount Motette, Lorno spring (877 m), Bregna spring (830 m) along Mount Foria and Tino spring on the esplanades of Mount Forcello.

      The Scheggia mountain is Mount Calvary (949 m above sea level) on which the sanctuary of Mount Calvary is located. Its name derives from the Latin calles oviariae or “sheep paths”, in fact the mountain is
      the access route to the pastures of Mount Cucco. Its origins date back to the end of the first millennium AD and are closely linked to the history of the Camaldolese congregation. The hermitage was probably founded by Saint Romuald in 980. The abbey was greatly boosted by the work of Saint Pier Damiani, who became a monk here in 1035 and Prior from 1043, not only for the expansion of the original buildings but also for a strong cultural and spiritual development that made the hermitage a religious and social reference point.

      Tradition reports the number of 76 saints and blesseds who lived in the hermitage. The Hermitage is mentioned in the Divine Comedy (Paradise, canto XXI) by Dante Alighieri, who seems to have also been a guest there. The square in front of the basilica; on the left the entrance to the cloister and on the right the scriptorium. Built as an abbey in 1325, Fonte Avellana became a socio-economic power and, shortly thereafter (year 1392), it became acquainted with the practice of commenda (14th – 15th century). In 1569, Pope Pius V Ghilslieri suppressed the autonomous Avellanite congregation that had governed the monastery until then, passing it to the Camaldolese congregation. Not even forty years later, in 1610, it passed to the Camaldolese cenobitic congregation of San Michele di Murano, only to return to the Camaldolese congregation at the beginning of the twentieth century. Fonte Avellana remained “commended” until almost the end of the 18th century, and even if it had commendants such as Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere (later Julius II), who left signs of a building nature and embellishments worthy of note, it nevertheless deeply felt the inevitable conditioning, which is why the decline of its monastic life was inexorable, even if slow.
      This decline ended with the Napoleonic suppression of 1810 and shortly thereafter the Italian one of 1866. Having returned under the management of the Camaldolese monks in 1935, today Fonte Avellana has rediscovered its ancient splendor, both spiritual and architectural.

      The choir of the Basilica of the Monastery of Fonte Avellana On 5 September 1982 Pope John Paul II visited Fonte Avellana on the occasion of the celebrations for the millennium of the foundation of the Hermitage. In March of the same year the Pope elevated the abbey church to the dignity of a minor basilica. Since 2007, the monastery’s Botanical Garden, which has always been reserved for monks, has also been open to the public.

      The territory of the Municipality of Frontone has been inhabited since ancient times; the first population to create a stable settlement was certainly the Umbrians and later the Celts arrived first and then the Romans, then the area was conquered by the Lombards who were then replaced by the Franks. The first written documents that speak of the castle and the civil community of Frontone date back to the eleventh century, and its history, until the end of the fourteenth century, was inextricably linked to that of Cagli, to which it belonged as a fief. It then became a possession of Gubbio under the rule of the Gabrielli family until 1420 and then passed to the Duchy of Urbino, except for a very brief Malatesta domination. In 1530 the castle and the territory of Frontone became a county of the Duchy of Urbino, a gift from Francesco Maria I Della Rovere to the Modena nobleman Gianmaria Della Porta and remained so until the abolition of feudal jurisdictions following the annexation to the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy (1808), an abolition later renewed by Pope Pius VII (1816).

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