Umbria

Known as the 'Green Heart of Italy' because of its geographic location in the center of the peninsula and its lush and varied nature, Umbria is one of Italy's most picturesque regions.

Its borders are with Tuscany northward and westward, with Marche northward and eastward and with Lazio southward. Its territory is characterized by alternating mountainous areas, such as the Monti Sibillini massif whose peaks exceed 2,000 meters, valleys and plateaus such as the Castelluccio plain, famous because in summer it is colored by the flowering of lentils and offers a unique spectacle.

Although it is not bathed by the sea, Umbria is crossed by many rivers including the Tiber, the famous river on which Rome was born, whose tributaries and emissaries run through the entire region. Umbria is also home to the largest lake in Central Italy, Lake Trasimeno, and the breathtaking Marmore Falls, among the highest ones in Italy.

Umbria's origins trace back to the Umbrians, who founded many of the cities that exist today (Assisi, Spoleto, Gubbio, Foligno, Terni) and to the Etruscans, who left important evidence in Perugia and Orvieto. 

In the 3rd century B.C., Umbria was conquered by the Romans, and in 217 B.C., one of the most important battles of the Second Punic War took place on Lake Trasimeno between the Roman and Carthaginian armies the latter led by the leader Hannibal, who won a crushing victory. 

After the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD, the territory was divided between the Lombards and Byzantines, and with the coming of Charlemagne in the 8th century AD, the territories were ceded to the Papacy and then annexed to the Papal State. Despite major attempts to regain its independence, it was not until 1860 that the rule of the Church came to an end and Umbria was annexed to the nascent Kingdom of Italy.

Because of its history and geography, Umbria has countless cultural attractions and natural beauty and is characterized by cities and small towns rich in history and traditions where you can spend unforgettable holidays.

The largest town in Umbria is Perugia rich in art and history that attracts many tourists every year.

The historic center is dotted with important monuments such as the Fontana Maggiore, a symbol of the city, the Duomo and the Palazzo dei Priori, and prestigious museums and art places that hold the precious history of Perugia and Umbria.

2023 marks the five-hundredth anniversary of the death of the famous painter Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci, known as the Perugino, and the city is already buzzing with exhibitions, conferences and events to worthily celebrate the painter.

Finally, to relax after climbing up and down the steps that characterize Perugia's urban structure, you can take a nice walk on Corso Vannucchi to admire the shops and enjoy a coffee in one of the historic cafes that overlook the Corso.

Another must-see destination in Umbria is Spoleto. The historic center retains its medieval structure dotted with Roman monuments, such as the Roman Theater, the Arch leading to the Forum and other important vestiges of the period.

A striking view is from the staircase that opens up among the narrow alleys of the historic center and leads to the Cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta. 

To enjoy the view of the city and its surroundings, it is necessary to ascend to the Rocca Albornoziana, an important system of fortifications and today home to the National Museum of the Duchy of Spoleto.

Spoleto is famous for being home of a famous international music, dance and theater festival held every year in the summer and for being chosen as a location for important Italian tv movies and series.

A peculiarity worth mentioning are the mechanized routes that allow people to move from one part of the city to another in a very short time via escalators, treadmills and elevators carved underground.

Among the most famous spiritual destinations in the world is surely Assisi, a UNESCO site since 2000. Assisi was the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare, now patrons of Italy, who brought the Franciscan message of peace to the world. St. Francis’ Basilica is an architectural masterpiece in which art reaches one of its highest picks by the greatest painters of the time Giotto, Cimabue, Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti.

As many as 7 UNESCO sites are located in Umbria, due to their connection to Franciscan spirituality (the city of Assisi; the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and Palazzo del Capitano; the Sanctuary of Rivotorto and historic landscape; the church of San Damiano and the Hermitage of the Prisons) and to the history of the Lombards (the Tempietto del Clitunno in Campello sul Clitunno, PG and the Basilica of San Salvatore in Spoleto)

Umbria still reserves many destinations to visit, such as Orvieto, Gubbio and the typical Umbrian villages of Spello, Bevagna, Todi, Norcia, Foligno, Corciano each one with its own peculiarities that make it unique.

Some of the outstanding places worth a visit for their attractions are the breathtaking view of the plateau of Castelluccio di Norcia during the period of the colorful Lentil Flowering, between June and July; the Scarzuola, the ideal city designed by architect Tommaso Buzzi; the underground city of Narni that probably inspired writer C.S. Lewis for the novels 'The Chronicles of Narnia'; the small village of Rasiglia nicknamed 'the Venice of Umbria' for being entirely on water; the Cosmic Magnet of Foligno, a huge 24-meter human skeleton with a bird's beak nose lying inside a deconsecrated church; St. Patrick's Well in Orvieto or the Geographic Center of Italy near Narni.

In a region so rich in history and culture there are many events related to folklore such as the Festa dei Ceri in Gubbio, the symbol of the Umbria region, medieval historical re-enactments such as the Giostra della Quintana in Foligno, historical parades and Palii, and religious celebrations such as the Infiorata del Corpus Domini in Spello. 

Umbria is also famous for its deep-rooted musical tradition that animates important internationally known events such as the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, now in its 66th edition, and Umbria jazz in Perugia, the 50th anniversary of which will be celebrated in 2023.

The variety of the territory is also reflected in the cuisine with its typical recipes based on meat, fresh pasta and sweets related to the festivities and in the typical products such as white and black truffles, legumes (the lentil of Castelluccio di Norcia, the Trasimeno bean), pork products, lake fish and of course wine and oil.