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Umbria
is the ideal place for visitors seeking the beauties of unspoilt Nature,
and the splendours of medieval and Renaissance art, or wishing to follow
itineraries of historical and religious interest.
Pride of place must go to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. This
little town conserves masterpieces like St. Francis', basilica, two
buildings built superimposed (13th century), decorated with paintings and
frescoes by Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini and Piero Lorenzetti; St.
Clare's basilica (13th century) with frescoes of the Giotto school and the
Romanesque basilica of St. Rufino (12th-13th century) where St. Francis
was baptized. In the neighbourhood lie the basilica of St. Maria degli
Angeli (16th century) with the Porziuncola Chapel, St. Damian's convent
(12th century) and the Eremo delle Carceri, where St. Francis retired to
meditate and pray.
Starting from the north, other places of interest in the Tiber Valley are:
Città di Castello, with the beautiful 14th century churches of St. Dominic
and St. Francis, the recently renovated Pinacoteca and the Gothic Town
Hall; deviating eastwards one finds Gubbio, that has conserved its
medieval appearance and outstanding monuments such as the Roman Theatre (Augustan
Age), the Palazzo Ducale (16th century), the Gothic Church of St. Francis.
Returning south, near the Marches border lie Foligno with its 12th century
Duomo, with a Romanesque façade. Nearby is Spello, an ancient Roman centre
(with many Roman remains) where the church of St. Maria Maggiore (13th
century) with famous frescoes by Pinturicchio, and St. Andrew's Church
(13th century) can be visited. Going down towards Terni, after visiting
the Romanesque Churches of San Silvestro and San Michele at Bevagna, the
visitor reaches Montefalco, in a splendid panoramic position and famous
for its excellent wine. Further south lies Trevi and a visit should be
made to the idyllic surroundings of the Springs of Clitunno and the little
early Christian church nearby. Spoleto, further on, is the ancient capital
of the Lombard Duchy, rich in works of art and famous for the Festival of
the Two Worlds with its splendid theatrical productions, concerts and
artistic events. Turning west in the Tiber Valley, the visitor reaches
Todi, with its fine main square flanked by medieval buildings and the
Duomo (13th century).
Then Orvieto appears perched on a tufa hill, an ancient Etruscan town,
with the Romanesque-Gothic Palazzo del Popolo and the famous Duomo, one of
the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture housing many famous
paintings (L. Signorelli, Beato Angelico).
Other places of interest are the peaceful Lake Trasimeno, surrounded by
olive-clad slopes, the impressive Marmore Falls, the Piediluco lake and
for the visitor seeking more remote and lonely areas the wild
uncontaminated Val Nerina. |
