Territory
PERUGIA
Perugia, the great "Guelf strong-hold" is nestled in the region's heart, with its 5 historical quarters enclosed by Etruscan town walls. These enormous bastions formed by huge square bricks, were constructed 22 centuries ago and are still visible for long stretches. When the city of Rome was little more that an encampment of huts, one could already enter the Etruscan Perugia using one of 7 portals, among which one was particularly mighty, the Porta Pulchra or of Augustus. Entering the city via Porta San Pietro, whose exterior was remodelled by Agostino di Duccio in 1475, you'll arrive at the basilica of St. Dominic on the right-hand side; the very important National Archeological Museum of Umbria is to be found in the adjacent cloisters and convent. Further on, you'll reach the Piazza del Sopramuro, where the 15th century Palace of the Old University and the adjacent Palace of the People's Captain look down on the square. Further on, after a short climb, you'll find yourself in one of Italy's most important squares, where you'll see the Priors' Palace, the Cathedral and the 13th century fountain Major Fountain at the center. These monuments render the Piazza Grande of Perugia (now called Piazza IV Novembre) a superb architectural complex. At the extreme end of Corso Vannucci you'll find famous panoramic gardens built on the foundations of the Rocca Paolina, a strong-hold built by Pope Paul III in 1540. These foundations contain, similar to under an enormous bell, an entire quarter of the old Perugia: a dead city, a sort of Medieval Pompei which has been brought tot light again and which is fascinating to visit. Perugia's ascents and stairways are usually quite steep, both the most ancient and the most recent. The way Via delle Prome is a typical example. Leaving from the Augustus Arc, this way lead to the upper point of Perugia, where used to be the castle of Porta Sole, erected in the XIV century by the dal Gattapone, and destroyed later for willing of the whole town people. A short visit in Perugia is definetly interesting, but is a longer visit which will reveal all the atistic jewels in detail. Even if you are on a short visit, you should not miss the archtectural complex of St. Francesco, with the Oratory of St. Bernardino, a masterpiece of Agostino di Duccio, who, in covering the facade with bas-reliefs of enchanting grace and modelled fineness made it a little poem of Renaissance sculpture. Among the most important manifestations taking place in the city we should absolutely mention the musical festival Umbria Jazz and the gastronomic festival Eurochocolate.
DERUTA
The origins of Deruta remain for the most part obscure. Certain are its links to Perugia, which has always been a valid bastion to the south, towards Todi, whose role is to this day witness by its fortified castle appearance.
During the 13th Century Deruta had its own statute, followed by, in 1465, a new document in vernacular which foresaw the presence in the castle, in addition to a podestà envoy from Perugia, of four "boni omini", elected from amongsts the residents. In the second half of 1400, the residents of this small town, were exterminated from pests, so that the city walls came down. In addition, during the Guerra del Sale" (1540), Deruta, which had aligned itself against the Pope, experienced ambushes and devastation. The submission of Perugia to the Church brought also to the small town a long period of peace, during which time the maximum development of works of art of the artistic majolica, activity which, throughout the Centuries, allowed Deruta to become known all over the world.
Accessing the historical centre of Deruta from the door Porta di S.Michele Arcangelo, are immediately visible testimonies of ancient furnaces. In the small Biordo Michelotti Square are exposed the sober lines of roman-gothic of the S.Arcangelo Church. In front of which is situated the Fontana, with a polygonal plan, which was realized in 1848. Immediately following opens out the square Piazza dei Consoli, where one finds the Palazzetto Municipale from 1300, in whose atrium are collected archaeological finds, neolithical and etruscan. IThe Palazzo hosts, in addition, the Pinacoteca and the Museum of Ceramica. In the former one finds an important collection of paintings originating from the churches of S. Francesco, S. Antonio, the Defunti di Ripabianca, and the hospital of S. Giacomo, and a part from the rich collection of Lione Pascoli. One can admire, among other things, paintings of the Alunno, of the Baciccio, from Stendardo, from Amorosi, from Fiorenzo di Lorenzo and a Guido Reni. In the latter, one can admire magnificent ceramic works of art from the period encompassing the archaic and our modern times. In front of the Palazzo Municipale is the S. Francesco Church, in gothic style, from its interior.
Adjacent to the Church one finds the former Franciscan convent with an ancient cloister. At the end of the narrow Mastro Giorgio road rises the S. Antonio Church, which preserves important affrescos of Bartolomeo and Gian Battista Caporali. At the height of Piazza Cavour is situated the small church of Madonna del Divino Amore, today known with the name of Madonna della Cerasa. Along the Tiberina road one sees the small church of Madonna delle Piagge from 1601, whose facing is adorned with a beautiful maiolica. Close by to this church one may visit an interesting Museo of majolicas.
TODI
There are several theories on the origin of the name: the word Todi or from the etrurian "tudicolare", or even from "tutus" ("a fortified place"). Beside the legends about the origins of Todi, the town was founded by the Umbrian people on 2700 before Christ. Later on, before the etrurians and after the romans held the power of the town, and building up a number of monuments, most of which can still be admired, like the Nicchioni Romani, on Mercato Vecchio square, which at the beginning were probably part of a basilica. On 88 b.C. Marco Crasso took for himself all the wealth of the town, and during the fall of the roman empire the town was robbed and destroyed. During this time bishop Fortunato bacame the protecting Saint of the town. During the Middle Ages, Todi was always in fight against the close Orvieto. On the XII century it bacame free commun, being this the onset of a very positve period, and marvelous monuments like Capitain Palace, il Priori Palace, the Dome and the very remarkable St. Fortunato Church were built. On 1236 Jacopone da Todi was born here, one of the firts poets to write in italian dialect and not in latin. On 1500, after a long dark period, the town rised again under the Renaissance influence; dated during this time has to be found the marvelous Consolazione Temple. Many of the public buildings rised during this time are due to the bishop Angelo Cesi.
GUALDO CATTANEO
The ancient and mighty castle of Gualdo Cattaneo rises up on the north-western fringe of a territory which was subject to the politics of the city of Spoleto and because of this, was fought over for a long period by the cities of Foligno and the already named Spoleto. Toponymical studies reveal that the name Gualdo is derived from the word "wald" meaning forest, and from this, one can imagine the richness of the woods which still surround this area. A mighty cylindrical tower, which was built in 1494, rises up on the main square; the facade of the parrocchial church is decorated with reliefs showing the mystic Lamb with the symbols of the four Evangelists; the inside contains a beautiful 13th century crypt. The church of St. Augustine has an interesting ogival portal on the left-hand side of the entrance, and inside, several important paintings of the 14th and 15th centuries.
GUALDO TADINO
Gualdo Tadino is renown for the production of ceramics. This ancient art marks the town’s economic and artistic identity. Gualdo Tadino is also site of many important traditional events: The Games of the Gates (last Sunday of September). The Sacred pageant of Good Friday, the parade of Montecamera in Pieve di Compresseto (Tuesday after Easter), the Pioppo di San Pellegrino (April 30), the Night of Grello Fire (June23), the barrel race in Rigali (first Sunday of August). Living Nativity in the country tradition of Roveto (24, 25 and 26 December).
TERNI (Cascata delle Marmore)
Taking the State Road "Valnerina" from Terni, you'll reach the very famous Marmore Waterfalls after only 7 km. This is definitely an absolute must for whoever decides to visit Umbria. The Waterfalls, which are immersed in a natural scenery of incomparable beauty, are an artificial work due to the Romans. In fact, at that time, the Velino river was greatly enlarged and had created a vast zone of stagnant waters, swampy and unhealthy. Aiming to make these waters deflow, the consul Curius Dentatus had a canal dug which directed them in direction of the Marmore cliff. From there, he had them precipitate, in a total fall of 165 meters, into the river-bed of the Nera river which runs along below. In every age, the beauty of the Waterfalls has inspired poets and artists, among these: Virgilius, Cicero, G. Byron, and many others. For about 50 years now the waters of the Waterfall are used to fuel the hydroelectric power plant Galleto. Therefore, the spectacle of the Waterfalls can only be admired during the opening hours which are quoted in the table below. It was in fact due to the abbundance of these waters and the energy they generate that it was possible to establish the metal-working, electrochemical and electric industries at Terni.
NARNI
The first historical references to the town of Narni, which at that time was called "Nequinum", go back to the year 600 A.C., but the zone had already been inhabited from Neolithic times. In 299 B.C. Narni became a Roman colony named Narnia, and in 233 B.C. it became an important fort for the construction of the "Flaminia Road". In 90 B.C. it became a township. Narni was exposed to the barbaric invasions because of its dominant position, and became a free township in the 11th century. Narni reached its period of major splendour during the 12th and 14th centuries. During the Renaissance, the town was frequented by artists of primary importance such as Rossellino, Ghirlandaio, Vecchietta, Antoniazzo Romano and Spagna. In 1527, due to treason, it was taken by the Lanzichenecchi, who burned it. Artists such as the Zuccaris, Vignola, Sangallo and Scalza participated in restoring the town, and in 1664 the municipal library was founded. Among illustrious persons born at Narni are recorded the Roman emperor Cocceio Nerva, Gattamelata, the beatified Lucia, Berardo Eroli, Galeotto Marzio and Cassio of Narni. Numerous valuable monuments are to be found within the city. Amongst the most important, we would like to point out the romanic Cathedral with its works by Rossellino and other famous artists, the church of St. Francis, erected during the 8th century with its noteworthy frescoes executed by the local school, the Palace dei Priori constructed in 1275 probably by Gattapone of Gubbio and situated in the medieval square of the same name. In this square one also finds the Town Hall constructed in 1273 by uniting three towers. In the inside, one can admire: the Coronation of the Virgin , painted in 1486 by Ghirlandaio, St.Francis with Stigmata by Spagna, the Annunciation by Benozzo Gozzoli and an Egyptian mummy of the 4th century B.C. At the back of the square a fountain dating back to the year 1303 is to be found. Other monuments situated in the historical town center which are surely noteworthy are: Scotti Palace with its frescoes by Zuccari (1581); the Gardens of St. Bernard, from which one may admire the splendid valley of the Nera valley, and from which one enters the subterranean rooms of St. Dominic ; the antique church of St. Dominic, which is now the seat of the library and the State archives; the church of St. Restituta with the adjoining convent complex; St. Augustine (14 th century), which is rich in works of art, and the church of St. Margaret with its interesting cycle of frescoes attributed to Pomarancio. Just outside the city you will find the mighty strong-hold Rocca Albornoz , which was constructed around the year 1370 by Ugolino of Montematre for Cardinal Egidio Albornoz and has been recently restored, and the Bridge of Augustus , built in 27 B.C., 160 meters long. Its remaining arch is 30 meters high. The Cave of St. Francis, which is slightly more distant from Narni (18 km) with its interesting frescoes dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, the Abbey of St. Cassiano, which is to be found right in front of the city, the Abbey of St. Angelo in Massa, and the protoromanic church of St.Pudenziana (at 6 km distance), surely merit a visit.
