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PERUGIA

An hour away from Spoleto, the city of Perugia, of Etrurian origins, lies on a beautiful hill just 500 m above sea level. Some of the places not to miss in Perugia are: Arco Etrusco (Etrurian Arch) and particularly Piazza IV Novembre (November 4th Square). In this very Piazza, between the Duomo and the Palazzo dei Priori, is placed the beautiful Fontana Maggiore built in the 200s by the Pisano Family. Moving away from the fountain it is a pleasure to engage oneself on a romantic stroll along the elegant Corso Vannucci. Perugia is the city where the famous Perugina sweets are made and where the Baci Perugina chocolates are produced. In July the city is the home of the many musicians coming from all over the world only to take part in the notorious musical gathering better known as Umbria Jazz.

ASSISI

At only 45 minutes' train ride from Spoleto is Assisi, the city of San Francesco (Saint Frances) one of the religious capitals of the Catholic world. It is famous for the three storey high Gothic- styled Basilica fully painted by the Master Giotto, inside, paintings and frescoes of many other famous Italian artists of the 1300 can be admired. Places to visit are: Rocca Maggiore, the facade of the Tempio di Minerva, Eremo delle Carceri and the Roman church of San Rufino (Saint Rufino). Monte Subasio (Mount Subasio), nearby the city, is the perfect place to travel for brief and yet relaxing excursions. Spending the beginning of May in Assisi allows the visitor to take part in the remembrance of the historical Calendimaggio.

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SPELLO

Thirty-five minutes by train, from Spoleto, is Spello. Entirely built in stone, sited on top of a hill, the city still holds its original architecture and the typical Roman styled urban structure. Places to visit are: Arco Augusto (Augustus Arch), the Porta Urbica (main door to the city), the Roman amphitheatre from the I century, and the Porta Venere dating back to the Emperor Augustus' times. Belonging to the following Medieval and Renaissance periods are monuments such as the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Baglioni Chapel frescoed by Master Pinturicchio (1501). In April the city is famous for its Infiorata,a flower festival, when flowers and carpets of petals decorate and cover the city streets.

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FOLIGNO

Only twenty-five minutes by train from Spoleto, Foligno is located on a plain. It is an exciting city full of activities and places to visit. Modern and fashionable shops together with handicrafts workshops abound, and yet, historical residences of the gentry, churches and museums please the eye of the visitor that engages in a relaxing day looking into the life of your typical Italian town. Places to see are: the Duomo, Palazzo Trinci, Palazzo Giusti-Orfini, and the church of Santa Maria Infra Portas. Not far from the city itself, also to visit, there are the Abazzia di Sassovivo ( the Abbey of Sassovivo) built around the year 1000 and its romantic styled cloister. Due to its central location in the very middle of Italy , Foligno is called by its own townspeople " Lu centru de lu munnu" ( the cetre of the world).
In September, the Giostra della Quintana is an event not to be missed. It consists of a defiance among the different quarters of the city. The Giostra della Quintana is a sort of test for the athletic ability of opposing team members who must engage in horse races and javelot fights.

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TREVI

Trevi is 15 minutes away from Spoleto by train. What first strikes the traveller about this town is its external looks encountering on approaching the city. Its houses are tightly ercted around a conical shaped hill. The whole city is well worth a visit; its aristocratic palazzi, belonging to ancient and noble families, face the intricate medieval streets of Trevi. Ecceptionally beautiful is the church of San Francesco with its true gothic architecture and its original bellows organ of 1509.

Also worthy of a visit is the palazzo of the present townhall and the church of San Emiliano. Campello e le Fonti del Clitunno Only 15 minutes by coach from Spoleto, nearby the medieval towns of Campello and Pissignano, you can visit the Sources of Clitunno. These are rivers of fresh water inhabited by swans where the willows along its banks create a unique and romantic atmosphere. Since Roman time poets have been enchanted by the beauty of the Sources of Clitunno, this special spot in the middle of untouched nature. Also near these Sources is a small Roman temple dating back to the IV century by the name of Tempietto di Clitunno.

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BEVAGNA

Bevagna is only 10 minutes by coach from Foligno. Of Roman origins, the city is located on a plane and has kept its medieval aspect unaltered filled with Roman styled architecture such as:the ruins of the amphitheatre, the ruins of a temple and the ancient Roman baths partially beautifully decorated with mosaic dating back to the II century. Also worthy of a visit is the Palazzo dei Consoli. When September comes the streets of Bevagna host the traditional in authentic medieval-style open market known as the Mercato Medievale delle Gaite.

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MONTEFALCO

Thirty minutes' ride by coach from Spoleto, Montefalco is located on the top of a hill and allows for a fantastic view of Umbria. The walls sorrounding the city trace back to the medieval period. Places to visit are:the church of San Agostino, and the PInacoteca Museum of San Francesco where masterpieces by Benozzo Gozzoli can be admired, a beautiful Nativita' del Perugino, together with many other art works executed by artists belonging to the traditional Umbria-Toscana school.<BR> Montefalco is also renowned for its Sagrantino dry wine one of the most prestigious red wines of Italy which preparation requires 30 months of refinement.

Montefalco, affreschi di Benozzo Gozzoli

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