A LITTLE BIT OF CHARLESTON IN UMBRIA
SPOLETO
The ancient capital of Umbria.
63,0 km
FROM PERUGIA
158,6 km
FROM ROMA FIUMICINO
560,9 km
FROM MILANO MALPENSA
Gem of the Longobard Dukes
The city still preserves vestiges of the ancient people of the Umbrians. Its Roman theater, the Arch of Drusus and Germanicus, the Flaminian Way and the Roman domus, supposedly belonging to the mother of a famous emperor, are witness to the dominant and strategic role of the Roman colony of Spoletium . Thanks to a modern system of escalators, we will go all the way up to the papal fortress, headquarters of the Papal State and then prison.
Pearl of the Longobard Dukedom, Spoleto boasts one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Umbria, where art jewels and frescoes painted by the great Florentine master Filippo Lippi are preserved. One of the town's highlights is its aqueduct, Ponte delle Torri, that conveyed spring water from Monteluco up to the Fortress. Menotti's notorious Festival of the Two Worlds still draws today to Spoleto musicians, actors, dancers and practitioners of all imaginable arts and has every summer since 1958. This art festival has an American counterpart in the famed town of Charleston, South Carolina.
What to see in a half day (2 h)
Albornoz Fortress (from outside)
Papal stronghold, today museum of the Longobard Dukedom. Spectacular view over the valley.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
The apse presents a remarkable fresco cycle with Stories of the Virgin by Filippo Lippi. A number of absolutely impressive works are on display inside the Duomo.
Polygonal Walls
built by the ancient people of the Umbrians in the 5th century BC.
Piazza del Mercato
with the Roman Arch of Drusus and Germanicus.
Ponte delle torri
imposing medieval aqueduct runs 660 feet in lenght and 240 feet in height
Roman Theater
It is still used during the Festival of the Two Worlds.
Other things to see with more time at disposal
Albornoz Fortress (internal visit)
imposing papal residence built by the Cardinal Albornoz, later on used as a prison. The Camera Picta inside preserves one of the rare pictorial 14th Century cycles of profane genre. Since 2007 it houses the National Museum of the Longobard Dukedom.
Diocesan Museum and Church of St. Eufemia
with works by G. L. Bernini, Filippo Lippi and one of the rare churches with a women's gallery.
Archaeological Museum
with the famous Lex Spoletina.
Roman house
with precious mosaics, probably belonging to the mother of the Emperor Vespasiano.
Church of St. Peter Outside the Walls
with one of the most interesting Romanesque facades of Umbria adorned with sophisticated bas-reliefs.
Gourmet Corner
Spoleto offers an infinity of restaurants and trattorias where you can taste the specialties of the place, such as strangozzi alla spoletina, the soup with spelt of Monteleone, the crescionda and many other delicacies.
Oil tasting.
FROM THE BLOG
Special Tours
OSCARWORTHY OIL MILLS. FROM THE “SEA” OF UMBRIA , AN EXCELLENT EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL.
Emerald green hued, intense and fruity, Umbrian olive oil with its pleasant bitter and slightly spicy taste is considered among the best Extra Virgin olive oils not only in Italy, but also in the world. Let’s join this tour to learn the secrets about the production of our “green gold” and its infinite health benefits. Don’t miss this worthwhile experience to taste a top quality extra virgin olive oil directly in the mill where it is produced.
VISIT TO A FARM AND CHEESE TASTING.
Recommended for children.
If you are curious to learn about the art of cheesemaking and love the pleasant country life, this farm is a unique and fun experience.Goat cheese production is becoming increasingly popular in Umbria, thanks in part to the love of this farmer for his 300 goats. Children will have fun. They will delight watching the goats trotting when the goatherd calls them.About a dozen varieties of goat cheeses will tantalize your palate and you won't resist their wines.
WATERFALL OF MARMORE: THE HIGHEST IN ITALY.
Recommended for children.
Immerse yourself in nature and visit the famous Marmore Falls, a Roman masterpiece of hydraulic engineering, obtained by diverting the river Velino into the Nera. The three spectacular drops were praised by the most well-known Grand Tour travelers such as Goethe and Dickens. You can choose one of the many itineraries offering different durations and levels of difficulty or you could simply admire their "horrid beauty" enjoying a cup of coffee with a typical sweet, called panpepato.
TRUFFLE HUNTING. IN SEARCH OF THE BLACK GOLD.
Recommended for children.
This is the ideal opportunity to spend a few hours immersed in a truffle ground area, where an expert hunter will guide you in search of this sought-after product of the earth. Treat yourself to an authentic cultural experience in a private oasis, with a route adapted to your needs. Once you have found the truffle, you can savour the truffle flavour having lunch in a typical restaurant.
TOUR WITH A PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHER.
If you would like to be immortalized in the places you visit and make your memories unforgettable, you can live a unique experience with an expert photographer at your entire disposal. You can take home digital photos or have an actual album delivered to your home.