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City of art in Italy - Umbria
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Todi

Todi is situated on a hill dominating the convergance of the River Naia and the River Tiber, at the centre of a delightful hill landscape. The heart of Todi is Piazza del Popolo, a splendid rectangular space with buildings that symbolize spiritual and municipal life. The Duomo (cathedral), consecrated to the Madonna of the Annunciation, Palazzo dei Priori (Priors’ Palace) of medieval appearance and the Italian-gothic Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (The Captain’s Palace). The first building found on arriving at the city is the Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione (Saint Mary of Consolation) begun in 1508 and completed in 1607, probably following a design by Bramante. Continuing up to the city you arrive in Piazza della Repubblica above which rises the Church of Saint Fortunato, a Gothic construction completed in the second half of 1400. The church is dedicated to the patron of the city, it houses the crypt of Jacapone of Todi, the most figurative religious poet of the 13th Century. Charmingly beautiful, Todi has been nominated as the most livable city in the work according to an accredited studio of world renowned American architects.

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From Todi to Perugia

From Todi continue on the E45 motorway towards Perugia. Monte Castello di Vibio (the next exit) is well worth a visit, famous for the smallest theatre in the world. Inaugurated in 1808 the Concordia Theatre is truly made-to-measure, 99 seats shared between stalls and boxes, the stalls are built completely in wood. The rareness is in the dimensions of the three spaces: the atrium, the hall and the stage, all well-balanced to celebrate fine resonance, in fact the theatre offers interesting acoustics.
Continuing along the E45 we reach Perugia. city of art and of a culture that dates back to ancient times. The centre of the artistic city is the magnificent Piazza IV Novembre onto which front the Palazzo dei Priori (Priors’ Palace), which houses the National Gallery of Umbria containing a major collection of works of art by Umbrian artists, the Duomo (cathedral) and the Maggiore Fountain. The numerous churches, public buildings and museums make the Umbrian capital one of the most beautiful cities in our country. From its Etruscan masonary, to the medieval stone work, to the marble of Agostino di Duccio, to the frescoes of Perugino, to the 15th Century buildings of papal Pergugia, here you can grasp the vitality of almost the entire course of Italian art and the incredible skill that moulds the urban environment.

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From Todi to Orvieto

From Todi continue along the SS448 towards Orvieto. In the vicinity of Ponte take the SS205. In harmony with the tufa rock on which it is built, Orvieto is an exceptional example of the integration between nature and the work of mankind. Visiting the city of Orvieto is like travelling through history because in this defined space you can find traces of every era for almost 3 millenia. In addition to the Duomo (cathedral), a masterpiece of Italian Gothic art, you can visit il Pozzo di San Patrizio (St Patrick’s Well) built in the 1500’s by Antonio da Sangallo di Giovane. The Albornoz fortress dates from 1364 and was constructed on the orders of the cardinal of the that same name. The Temple of Belvedere is from the 5th Century BC, the Palazzo del Popolo was constructed around 1157 in Roman-Gothic style. Palazzo dei Sette is a construction from the 13th Century by one of the most important magistrates of the city. The Palazzo Communale was built during the period of the new communal institution, and subjected to a radical restoration in the late 500’s by Ippolito Scalza. Numerous other buildings and monuments make this city unique in the world.

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From Todi to Montefalco, Bevagna, Foligno

From Todi follow the SS448 towards Foligno. First stop on this itinerary is Montefalco, listed as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. Due to its splendid panoramic position dominating the plains of Topino and Clitunno, Montefalco has been called “Ringhiera dell’Umbria” (Umbria’s railing). In the historical centre, where the medieval structure is intact, of notable interest is the Pinacoteca (art gallery) of Saint Francesco which houses works of art from the 13th to the 17th Centuries, of particular merit the frescoes of Benozzo Gozzoli in the central apse; in addition works by Nicolò Alunno, Mezzastris, Melanzio, Tiberio d'Assisi and the nativity scene by Perugino. Bevagna. The predominant aspect of Bevagna is that of a medieval city listed as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. In the historical centre there are numerous monuments and churches, theatres and grand buildings. Of note are the traces of the Roman period: the remains of the temple, the remains of the theatre and the mosaic close to Porta Guelfa. Piazzo Filippo Silvestri, one of the most beautiful Umbrian square, unites several important monuments; Church of San Michele Arcangelo, Palazzo dei Consoli (Consuls Palace) and the Church of San Silvestro. Foligno. Situated on the south-east edge of the Umbrian valley, Foligno is one of the very few Umbrian cities to be situated on level ground. In the 15th Century the city became very famous for its printing works, here in fact was printed, on the 11th April 1472, the first printed copy of the Divine Commedy. The Palazzo Trinci, started in 1389 and finished in 1407, with the majestic pictorial cycle by Gentile da Fabriano, hosts the Pinacoteca (art gallery). Not to be missed are the Palazzo Deli and Palazzo Barnabò in neoclassic style that, together with the 14th Century houses, characterise the historical centre of Foligno.

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