Cortona
Cortona, with its flagstone lanes and medieval architecture, is just a short drive away, offering well-stocked shops, elegant boutiques and an ample range of inviting restaurants and pizzerias, where you can taste good local cooking and excellent regional wines. It also offers a program of colorful festivals and cultural events throughout the year.
Umbria
Urbino was once Italy’s greatest seat of learning and is now better known as a pleasant Renaissance hilltown in the center of the Umbria region – a favorite destination recently discovered by Italy afficionados. Nestled among its skyline of soaring domes and towers is the Ducal Palace and its splendid gallery of art that is not to be missed. Housed here are many of the finest works of the artists Piero della Francesca, Titian, and hometown favorite Raphael, whose childhood home is also open for viewing.
Spello
Assisi
Assisi is a well-preserved medieval town that's, after the Vatican, Italy's
second most-popular religious-pilgrimage destination. Located high on a hilltop,
it has an air of mystical serenity in keeping with its history. Assisi was the
home of St. Francis (the founder of the Franciscan order of friars), and the
churches and crypt that bear his name draw a steady stream of pilgrims and sightseers
every year. Although the town was rocked by an earthquake in 1997, much of the
damage has been repaired. One of the most severely damaged buildings, however,
was the treasured Basilica of San Francesco, known for its vivid frescoes by
Giotto that depict the life of the saint. The upper basilica has recently reopened
and, though restoration continues, many of the beloved frescoes can be admired
again. The lower basilica and St. Francis' tomb are also open to the public.
Other places of interest include the Church of Santa Chiara, a medieval fortress
(La Rocca Maggiore), the Piazza del Comune (the old town center) and St. Peter's
church. Or just stroll the narrow, picturesque streets and listen to the musicians
practicing nearby (though they may be drowned out by construction noises --
many buildings are still under renovation).
You may want to visit during one of Assisi's numerous celebrations: the Feast
of Calendimaggio, a five-day coming-of-spring festival with medieval costumes,
dances and songs (around the first week of May); a month of folklore and musical
events in August; or the Feast of St. Francis (4 October), which celebrates
the saint's transition from this life into the next. During this two-day festival,
the entire town is illuminated by oil lamps. If you are going to Assisi at one
of these times, reserve accommodations well ahead of time -- the city will be
filled with pilgrims.
Perugia
Perugia is a very ancient town, which rose to power during the time of the Etruscans. It was controlled by the Romans and invaded by the barbarians after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the 11th century a Free Commune was set up, reaching great power and splendor in the 13th and 14th century. After an obscure period of internal fighting, in 1540 it was conquered by Paolo III Farnese and remained under the dominion of the Church until 1860, when it became a member of the Italian State. Today Perugia is a splendid city of art, the capital of the region of Umbria and the residence of a famous university. It has a very lively center, rich in beautiful buildings and monuments, where countless artistic and cultural events take place.
Norcia
Famed for its gastronomy, Norcia has assembled some of the most interesting Umbrian cuisines with traditional recipes fit for a king such as: black truffle, lentils, pecorino and caciotta cheeses. However this charming town in the high country, is most known for hunting wild boar and their production of sausages, salumi, and ham. A process of “norcineria,” was first discovered here and is still of local practice since the 13th century. The nature is beautiful and mystic as is the food. Little glacial lakes are hidden away in the patches of emerald green; and the town though mostly flat, is surrounded by the Sybilline mountains – an exploration for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.
Orvieto
Orvieto is situated on the valley of the Paglia river. It was an important Etruscan centre with the name of "Volsinii Veters". The Etruscans established there also a sacred place for all people of their region Etruria called "Fanum Volumnae". In Roman times it was a prosperous centre for its production of ceramics. It was also dominated by several invasions. In XI-XII century Orvieto became a free common with wonderful buildings like towers, palaces and noble houses. In 1354 it became a city of the Church Estate until 1798. After a brief Napoleonic domination, it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1860.
Cortona, with its flagstone lanes and medieval architecture, is just a short drive away, offering well-stocked shops, elegant boutiques and an ample range of inviting restaurants and pizzerias, where you can taste good local cooking and excellent regional wines. It also offers a program of colorful festivals and cultural events throughout the year.
Urbino was once Italy’s greatest seat of learning and is now better known as a pleasant Renaissance hilltown in the center of the Umbria region – a favorite destination recently discovered by Italy afficionados. Nestled among its skyline of soaring domes and towers is the Ducal Palace and its splendid gallery of art that is not to be missed. Housed here are many of the finest works of the artists Piero della Francesca, Titian, and hometown favorite Raphael, whose childhood home is also open for viewing.
Assisi is a well-preserved medieval town that's, after the Vatican, Italy's
second most-popular religious-pilgrimage destination. Located high on a hilltop,
it has an air of mystical serenity in keeping with its history. Assisi was the
home of St. Francis (the founder of the Franciscan order of friars), and the
churches and crypt that bear his name draw a steady stream of pilgrims and sightseers
every year. Although the town was rocked by an earthquake in 1997, much of the
damage has been repaired. One of the most severely damaged buildings, however,
was the treasured Basilica of San Francesco, known for its vivid frescoes by
Giotto that depict the life of the saint. The upper basilica has recently reopened
and, though restoration continues, many of the beloved frescoes can be admired
again. The lower basilica and St. Francis' tomb are also open to the public.
Other places of interest include the Church of Santa Chiara, a medieval fortress
(La Rocca Maggiore), the Piazza del Comune (the old town center) and St. Peter's
church. Or just stroll the narrow, picturesque streets and listen to the musicians
practicing nearby (though they may be drowned out by construction noises --
many buildings are still under renovation).
You may want to visit during one of Assisi's numerous celebrations: the Feast
of Calendimaggio, a five-day coming-of-spring festival with medieval costumes,
dances and songs (around the first week of May); a month of folklore and musical
events in August; or the Feast of St. Francis (4 October), which celebrates
the saint's transition from this life into the next. During this two-day festival,
the entire town is illuminated by oil lamps. If you are going to Assisi at one
of these times, reserve accommodations well ahead of time -- the city will be
filled with pilgrims.
Perugia is a very ancient town, which rose to power during the time of the Etruscans. It was controlled by the Romans and invaded by the barbarians after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the 11th century a Free Commune was set up, reaching great power and splendor in the 13th and 14th century. After an obscure period of internal fighting, in 1540 it was conquered by Paolo III Farnese and remained under the dominion of the Church until 1860, when it became a member of the Italian State. Today Perugia is a splendid city of art, the capital of the region of Umbria and the residence of a famous university. It has a very lively center, rich in beautiful buildings and monuments, where countless artistic and cultural events take place.
Famed for its gastronomy, Norcia has assembled some of the most interesting Umbrian cuisines with traditional recipes fit for a king such as: black truffle, lentils, pecorino and caciotta cheeses. However this charming town in the high country, is most known for hunting wild boar and their production of sausages, salumi, and ham. A process of “norcineria,” was first discovered here and is still of local practice since the 13th century. The nature is beautiful and mystic as is the food. Little glacial lakes are hidden away in the patches of emerald green; and the town though mostly flat, is surrounded by the Sybilline mountains – an exploration for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.
Orvieto is situated on the valley of the Paglia river. It was an important Etruscan centre with the name of "Volsinii Veters". The Etruscans established there also a sacred place for all people of their region Etruria called "Fanum Volumnae". In Roman times it was a prosperous centre for its production of ceramics. It was also dominated by several invasions. In XI-XII century Orvieto became a free common with wonderful buildings like towers, palaces and noble houses. In 1354 it became a city of the Church Estate until 1798. After a brief Napoleonic domination, it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1860.
