Territory
BEVAGNA
The ancient small town of Roman origin called Bevagna is to be found on the western fringe of the Foligno plain, at the foot of the group of hills where Montefalco rises and near the bend of the river Timia. It was once famous for its precious canvasses, which were called “bevagne”. It is one of the most beautiful borghi (villages) of Italy. The Romans had constructed the ancient Mevania in such a way that the Flaminia Road was the decuman axis of the town. During the Middle Ages, the town's centre shifted Southwards. In Piazza Silvestri, you absolutely should not miss the Gothic Palace of the Counsels, situated singularly slantwise to the streets, and the churches of St. Sylvester (1195 d.C.) and St. Michael Arcangel; the fountain which completes the scene of this exceptional public area is, however, an adaptation dating back to the 19th century. Even today, the medieval town portals, even after reconstructive measures such as those of the Porta San Venanzo in 1797, and long stretches of the old town walls, are in a good state of preservation. Other monuments testifying to the more ancient origins of Bevagna are not lacking: the ruins of a temple of the 2nd century A.C. on which the medieval church of the Madonna of the Snow was subsequently erected, the Roman theatre (2nd century A.C.) which remains to serve as a foundation for a circular block along the course of the ancient Flaminia Road and the impressive remains of mosaics representing marine animals perhaps belonging to a thermal baths building. Among the most important manifestations taking place in the city we should absolutely mention the Market of the Gaite.
FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS
Mediaeval Spring: in April, show and market of local wine and typical foods produce.
Art on the Table: in April, local exhibition of typical products with tasting, local artists exhibition, concerts.
Mercato delle Gaite (Market of the Gaite): in June, mediaeval banquet, historical parade throughout the village’s alleys, medieval arts and crafts competition, cooking competition, mediaeval tabards, bow and arrow competition. The four gaite (quarters): San Giorgio, San Giovanni, San Pietro, Santa Maria.
SPELLO
Spello gracefully rises on a hill top between Assisi and Foligno, situated on a spur of the Subasio Mountain above a fertile and well-irrigated plain. It is one of the most beautiful borghi (villages) of Italy. Among the neighbouring cities, this is surely the one which preserves the major number of monuments testifying the Roman era; for example, the town walls, which later became the foundations for the medieval walls, the ruins of the theatre and the amphitheatre, the thermal baths and the splendid town portals dating back to the Augustan era. In the church of St. Mary Maggiore, in the marvellous Baglioni Chapel you may see paintings by Pinturicchio showing the "Annunciation", the "Nativity" scene and the "Dispute at the Temple", among other frescoes by the same painter which are to be found the chapels under the cross vaults and paintings by Perugino on the pilasters of the entrance to the presbytery. Looking out from the ruins of the Castle (14th century) which is situated on top of the hill, one dominates the valley of the Topino river and the surrounding hillside. Just outside of the inhabited area you'll find the Romanic church of St. Claudius and the "Chiesa Tonda" which was built during the Renaissance period in the form of a Greek cross with an octagonal cupola.
FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS:
Infiorata: during Saturday and Sunday of Corpus Domini.
Olive and Bruschetta Festival.
MONTEFALCO
Montefalco, which is placed in a dominating position looking down on the valleys of the Topino and the Clitunno rivers, offers the viewer of a sweeping panorama of the Umbrian countryside. The buildings inside the ancient town walls which are definitely worth visiting are, without doubt, the Town Hall, which dates back to the 13th century, as does the church of St. Augustine, the Romanic church of St. Bartholomew with the Portal of Frederick II (1244) to be found near-by and the church of St. Chiara where, inside, you'll discover paintings by the Umbrian school. You absolutely should not forget to visit the 14th century church of St. Francis, which is now the seat of the Pinacoteque; in fact, inside, you'll find many paintings of great artistic value such as the "Nativity" by Perugino and the extraordinary cycle of frescoes: " The Stories of St. Francis by Benozzo Gozzoli. Near the inhabitated area you'll find the 16th century church of St. Illuminata and the 15th century church of St. Fortunato which contains, in the lunette of the portal and in the altar to the right, works of art by Benozzo Gozzoli.
Among the most important typical products in the city we should absolutely mention the Sagrantino of Montefalco wine
TREVI
Alike the greater part of the mediaeval towns in this area, Trevi rises on a hill dominating the plain where the river Clitunno flows, between Foligno and Spoleto. One of the most interesting artistic monuments for whoever visits this town is without doubt the church of St. Emiliano of the 12th century, with three apses decorated with pilaster strips and small arches supported by wall-brackets. Inside the church, you'll find the Altar of the Sacrament, a very fine work of art attributed to Rocco of Vicenza (1522). Apart from the church of St. Francis built in the Gothic style and dating back to the 13th century, which contains frescoes of the 14th and 15th centuries, we recommend a visit to the Pinoteca lodged in the Town Hall (15th century), where you can admire a Madonna by Pinturicchio and a Coronation of Mary of Spain. Situated slightly outside the town, you'll shortly arrive at the Madonna of the Tears (1487) with a beautiful fresco by Perugino and the Romanic church of St. Peter at Bovara.
VALTOPINA
As seems evident from a toponymical analysis of its name, Valtopina, which, in ancient times was perhaps called "Cerqua", springs up along the valley of the Topino river between Foligno and Nocera Umbra. The first records which testify to the existence of a settlement go back to a few years before the year 1000; from then on, the town has shared the fate of the neighbouring townships, passing under the dominion of Assisi in 1282 and in 1383 under the lordship of the Trinci family of Foligno.
