Umbria

Rich in art, history and culture, Umbria is also famous for its wine and olive oil tradition, with roots in this land’s most ancient past. Red and white wines exported all over the world, and fine oils make it a region to be discovered, even at the table.

Umbria contributes with many products to create the mosaic of what is defined as the good Italian table; with its many varieties of oil and wine, with the products originating from the skillful processing of pork, and finally thanks to the fragrant truffles that nature provides in these parts.

A renowned university town for over 700 years, its Athenaeum, Academy of Fine Arts and Conservatory of Music welcome students from all over the world every year. But the Umbrian capital, perched on the hills of central Italy, with its people-friendly rhythms, guards another, more secret treasure. It is the city of panoramas, an astonishing springboard into nature, an observatory full of vantage points from which to enjoy timeless views.

A sustainable journey to discover the most intimate and secret side of one of Italy's greenest regions can now be made using a new concept: Bus and Bike, are ideal for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. The service provides journeys in suburban buses, some of which are also equipped with special trolleys for transporting bicycles, alternating with routes along cycle paths, surrounded by magnificent landscapes The most intriguing itinerary to explore the most unusual places to visit in Umbria? From Spoleto to Norcia, with various cultural and naturalistic stops. And at the end, tantalising treats for the palate.

The historic centre of Umbria's capital is a true 14th-century village, one of the most beautiful and beloved in Italy. It boasts a very intense city life thanks to the two historic universities – the University of Perugia founded in 1308 and the University for Foreigners, the oldest of its kind in Italy – but also to the many international events such as Eurochocolate and Umbria Jazz, which attract tourists from all over the world. Buzzing by day, but also lively and cheerful by night, Perugia deserves much more than a hit-and-run visit to explore its most important monuments: it’s also the perfect destination for an extended holiday. Not to mention its panorama, which is breathtaking wherever you look from its position amidst hills, mountains and plains of astonishing beauty.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club From the natural terrace that is Panicale on the one hand, you can admire Lake Trasimeno and on the other hand, Nestore Valley. This village was created as a castle to control and defend the southern slopes of Lake Trasimeno, and of this defensive nature it retains the walled hamlet with three central squares on three different levels, connected by a single main street. A visit of the historic centre can start from Porta Perugina near where you can visit the Church of St Sebastian with the frescoes by Perugino and then arrive in Umberto I Square where the Praetorian Palace is. To the left is the collegiate church of St Michael Archangel and nearby the Caporali Theatre. Continuing on, you reach Piazza Masolino, where you will find the Palace of the Podesta. Also not to be missed is a visit to the former church of St Augustine where there is the Permanent exhibition of hand embroideries on tulle, an art specific to Panicale. This tradition of hand embroideries on tulle is handed down from generation to generation, with original techniques reinvented in the 1920s, thanks to the birth of a real school. Among the events that animate the village, we highlight the Grape festival in mid-September, which features typical local dishes and wines, with concerts, events and accompanying parades of allegorical floats.

Built on a limestone headland, Castiglione was originally an island in the lake, later incorporated by the mainland. Today it retains a beautiful historic centre, the first stop on any visit to Lake Trasimeno.

Lake Trasimeno is located in the green heart of Umbria, amidst beds of reeds and charming white water lilies. It’s a true natural paradise home to wild ducks, cormorants, kites and kingfishers. Beyond the downward slope, gentle hills form the backdrop to the lake, along with sporadic woods and sunflower and corn fields, vineyards and olive groves. Agriculture here is still carried out following traditional techniques. Several towns are located on Lake Trasimeno. Some of them directly face the lake while others are nearby and are affected by the charm and attraction of this sheet of water.

Attigliano is a truly pleasant village for a stroll, but it becomes even irresistible in the month of September, during the days of the most anticipated food and wine event of the year, "Attijano vecchio de... gusto": a perfect mix of history, traditions and flavours. On the occasion, Attigliano's old town welcomes beer producers, agri-food companies and local wineries that offer their best production, in addition to several opportunities to discover the village and its history.

Millennia of history on the border between Umbria and Lazio Otricoli has a history stretching back thousands of years, with roots in the Iron Age. Even today, its archaeological excavations make it one of Umbria's most fascinating destinations. Of particular interest is the Archaeological Park, which houses the remains of the settlement in Roman times. Among the best preserved monuments are the public fountain, the imposing theatre and amphitheatre, the baths and the archaic necropolis. Particularly fascinating are the so-called “great substructures”, buildings consisting of 12 rooms on two floors. Scholars are still uncertain about the purpose of these constructions, which are characteristic of Otricoli. Also stop for a visit to the Antiquarium Casale S. Fulgenzio: the building, built on an ancient Roman cistern, now houses valuable archaeological artefacts such as vases, urns and sculptures. Nature lovers will not be disappointed: the park is the natural habitat of a variety of flora and fauna. The historical centre of Otricoli is enclosed by medieval walls in which the Porta Maior and Porta San Severino open. Several original elements, such as the towers (three round and two square) and the 14th-century fortress, are still preserved here, and one can breathe in the atmosphere of times gone by.

A day in Gubbio, the stone city of Umbria It is known as the "city of stone" and stands on the flank of Mount Ingino: Gubbio will win you over at first sight with its medieval charm waiting to be discovered in its labyrinth of alleys and narrow streets. Gubbio's long history The origins of Gubbio are rooted in the ancient Umbrian civilization, as witnessed by the "Eugubine Tablets" written in the Umbrian language and dating back to the 3rd–1st century BC. You can admire them in the rooms of the Civic Museum in Palazzo dei Consoli. Gubbio's golden age began in around the year 1000, at the time of the Communes. Under the leadership of Bishop Ubaldo, in 1100, the city won a war against Perugia. In the meantime, arts and crafts flourished, including the processing of majolica. By the 1300s, the city took on the form it still has today. Some of the most beautiful buildings in Gubbio date back to that period. A stroll downtown Start your tour from the jewel of Gubbio, Piazza Grande or Piazza della Signoria, a "hanging" square overlooking the city. On its sides are the city's public palaces: Palazzo dei Consoli in the Gothic style and Palazzo Pretorio, one opposite the other. Also take a look at the Palazzo Ranghiasci Brancaleoni, which is located on the same square. A stone's throw away is the Renaissance-style Ducal Palace. From the gardens of the Ducal Palace, you have a beautiful view of the city. Pay attention to the tall, narrow door at the side of the large gate: it is the Dead Man's Door. According to legend, the coffins of the dead passed through here. Along the walls, which are located just above the palace and date back to 1200, are six gates, some of which are still decorated with paintings and city coats of arms. Among the churches, you should not miss the cathedral of Saints Mariano and Giacomo. Also worth a visit is the church of San Francesco, built on the land of the ancient Spadalonga family who would have welcomed him after he left his father's house and all his possessions. It is located at the foot of the city, where in the Middle Ages the market was held, and there is still the very long Loggia dei Tiratori, built in 1600 by the weavers' guild. Here is where they used to drape their freshly woven woollen cloths. However, the true wonder of Gubbio is the Fontana dei Matti in front of the Palazzo del Bargello. Anyone can obtain a madman's licence by making three laps around the fountain and getting wet in the presence of a Gubbio resident to certify it. Where to visit nearby Just step outside Gubbio's medieval walls and another world of surprises unfolds for you to discover: the Roman theatre, the Roman mausoleum not far away, the Abbey of San Secondo, the seventeenth-century Madonna del Prato rich in stucco and the Church of Vittorina built in the very spot where, according to legend, San Francesco met the wolf. The Gola del Bottaccione gorge Near Gubbio can be found the Gola del Bottaccione gorge, ideal for a trip just outside the city. It is a deep gorge caused by the erosion of the Carmignano stream, but it is also rich in historical evidence. There is an aqueduct here that runs along the gorge and dates back to the Middle Ages. In the gorge, there is also the Monastery of Sant'Ambrogio, which stands near a prehistoric citadel dating back to the Paleolithic. The hermitage dates back to 1300 and was known for its strict rules as well as the inaccessible position that guaranteed silence and solitude. Don't miss the visit, starting with the underground caves and ending with the church frescoes. At the top of Mount Ingino: the Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo The Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo is located right at the top of the mountain that watches over Gubbio, but don't worry, if you don't feel up to hiking, you can reach it by a comfortable cable car and have the whole town at your feet. Here, the urn is kept with the body of Sant'Ubaldo, patron saint of Gubbio. And there is also the famous race of the Ceri Festival on 15 May. The church is of medieval origin, but during the 1500s it was enlarged with the addition of the convent and cloister. Don't be fooled by the simplicity of the exterior, step inside to admire the richness of the five naves and the stained glass windows that tell the life of Saint Ubaldo.

Even today at the Mount Subasio Park, which extends across 4 municipalities in the province of Perugia, namely Assisi, Spello, Nocera Umbra and Valtopina, a mystical atmosphere can be experienced. Spirituality yes, but also movement. With a surface area of 7,169 hectares, the Monte Subasio Park is the perfect area for sports such as trekking, mountain biking and horse riding.

Thanks to its 70,000 hectares, the Sibillini Mountains National Park (between Umbria and the Marche regions) is a true treasure trove of biodiversity due to the alternating presence of wetlands in the valleys, and thick forests and wonderful plateaus such as that of Castelluccio di Norcia, famous for the flowering of lentils. There are many charming villages nestled in a unique landscape that changes according to the seasons at the various altitudes. In fact, there are many peaks in this area that are beyond 2000 meters of altitude above sea level and among them there are Mount Sibilla Mountain, Mount Bove Mountain and the Redentore Peak.

The English poet George Byron visited the Marmore Falls in southern Umbria in 1817, describing them as “horribly beautiful”. Something so frightening and overpowering does indeed perfectly reflect the romantic notion of sublime beauty. Along with Byron, also Goethe, Corot and other artists of the past recall the majesty of the gushing water from the River Velino as it cascades from on high towards the River Nera. It should be noted, however, that the Marmore Falls, despite their superhuman beauty, exist due to an intervention which is almost entirely human. Much time has passed since 271 BC, when the Roman consul Manio Curio Dentato ordered the stagnant waters surrounding the city of Rieti to be drained towards the river Nera. Since then, three gigantic downward cascades overcome a difference in altitude of 165 metres, making the Marmore Falls the highest in Europe. The various streams of water created by the falls can be approached along well-marked pathways of varying difficulty, for a "horribly beautiful" experience, to once more repeat the words of Lord Byron.

Umbria holds endless surprises in store for families with many enjoyable outdoor activities involving nature, animals and sports. Adventurous trips into the heart of the Sibillini Mountains, sport on bicycles, stopping off in some of the most ancient Mediaeval villages, or days on a boat sailing to sunny islands and unforgettable moments in contact with animals sleeping in tents under starry skies: Umbria is a highly recommended destination for dynamic families looking for entertainment, recreation and relaxation. And here is the Umbria we'd like to tell you about.

With the arrival of the first warmth, when the snows melt, Italian landscapes begin a slow chromatic transformation as a result of the many blossoming fruit trees, widespread speciality crops and, of course, the imagination of those who have designed and created our many parks and gardens. An explosion of colour that has become very popular in the age of social media, thanks to the many contributions shared by travellers enraptured by the flowers of lentils in Umbria, sunflowers in Tuscany or lavender in Piedmont. Here is a "travel diary" of flowers and perfumes to discover in Italy from January to the end of summer.

Natural environments and animals roaming free in their habitats, as well as the chance for close-up observation. Wildlife parks are an enjoyable and educational experience for children, who also learn the importance of protecting species and biodiversity. Here are 5 sites absolutely worth visiting.

In the Monti Sibillini National Park, the natural scenery for this sport is practically perfect, and this is thanks to the meeting of the Velino and Nera rivers, which myth has it were two lovers, from whose tormented and endless love the Marmore Falls, among the highest in Europe, would be created. Fun is guaranteed by the natural springboards that invite you to dive in.

What does it take to soar through the blue sky aboard a hang glider? Naturally, a hill or a slope where to launch and then take off from with favourable currents, suitable weather conditions, a good dose of courage and the irrepressible desire, which man has cradled since the dawn of time, to observe the world from above. If you are looking for the place where all these conditions come together to create the perfect free flight experience, welcome to Umbria, where you will also have the opportunity to explore one of Italy's sweetest and most prized natural and artistic landscapes from a different point of view (from above). Umbria offers several flight centres for beginners and experts where you can experience the thrill of tandem flying with an experienced pilot for the first time, or get personally involved if you are already good, surrounded by enchanting natural scenery.

Umbria - lush and green - boasts a dense network of evocative cycling itineraries for an active open-air holiday, perfect for experts or beginners thanks to the different degrees of difficulty. Five not to be missed and enchanting routes taking in broad panoramas, jewel-like villages and excellent food and wine.

Who said that rafting is a sport reserved for athletic types and trained experts? In Umbria between the Monti Sibillini National Park and Marmore Waterfall, anyone can experience the thrill of going down a river, safely. The stretch of river along where the Corno river and the Nera river converge, is an ideal spot to practice rafting, even for beginners. On one condition: you can swim.

Magic is the word flowing invisibly along the 202 kilometres of the fourth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. We are talking about the charm the waterfalls envelop you with, being the tallest ones in Europe, an emotion that all riders – both professional and amateur – experience when they ‘attack’ a mountain chain, as well as the spells that – as the legend goes – hide amidst the peaks of the Sibillini Mountains. You just have to sit in the saddle and let yourself be enchanted by this itinerary.

Take your time cycling along an easy route, and lose yourself in your own thoughts and in the wild, fragrant nature of the Valnerina. Follow the 28-kilometre Nera River cycle route through the Umbrian section of the valley, you won’t regret it.

In the Bosco di San Francesco (St Francis' Wood), in this strip of Umbria near the town inextricably linked to Saint Francis, stands the Third Paradise, an unexpected work of art by contemporary painter and sculptor Michelangelo Pistoletto. It is a land art creation that adds poetry to a cross-section of mystical nature.

Retracing the footsteps of a barbarian people who greatly influenced the Italian Middle Ages is a very interesting exercise. Ready? Let’s go.

La Scarzuola: the dream vision of a great architect La Scarzuola is a highly original architectural complex built in the garden of a former Franciscan convent of the 13th century by one of the most visionary Italian architects of the 20th century, Tomaso Buzzi. Nestled in the woods of the Orvieto hills, La Scarzuola reveals the dreamlike and surreal imagination of an artist who wanted to create his “ideal city” in a place he particularly loved. In 1956 Buzzi purchased this site as his home, located in the hamlet of Montegabbione (municipality of Montegiove, province of Terni). After restoring the ancient convent, Buzzi transformed what was once the monks' kitchen garden into an “anthology of stone”, where nature and architecture merge into each other. An ideal small town surrounded by greenery Inspired by a late 15th-century allegorical novel attributed to Francesco Colonna, Buzzi's ideal city is a set of buildings surrounded by greenery and characterised by different styles and dimensions, part labyrinth, part symbolic route, and part magical itinerary. It is like a synthesis of memories that the artist had been gathering from projects only imagined or thrown down on paper, a kind of catalogue of the potential of architecture itself. The world in a garden La Scarzuola, in Buzzi's words, “represents the World in general and in particular my World, that of art, culture, worldliness, elegance, pleasure and also vices, wealth and power, where, nevertheless, I made room for oases of recollection, of study and work, of music and silence...” “Awakening what sleeps within us, thanks to architecture” On the spiral path through the garden, around various bizarre buildings, seven stages of as many theatres are revealed, each a metaphor for life and death, the sacred and the profane, the true and the false. At La Scarzuola, the architecture in the green allows everyone to compare and contrast themselves with their unconscious through the vision of archetypal figures, almost a psychoanalytic journey culminating in the Acropolis, made up of buildings that reveal a multiplicity of perspectives and points of view, just like life itself. On the way, we find the Tower of Babel and its unwinding staircase of knowledge inside, the Great Mother, Jonah's Mouth (a reference to the park of Bomarzo), the butterfly-shaped Aquatic Theatre, the elliptical Theatre of Infinity, of the unfinished and the human body, not to mention numerous other architectural elements. A New-Age spiritualism A pioneer of a spiritualism that today we would call New Age, Buzzi worked on his idea for 20 years, constantly reworking his creation. Abandoned after the death of its creator in 1981, the Scarzuola complex was later restored according to drawings that Marco Solari had made of it. A nephew of Buzzi, Solari now lives there and guides visits to the garden, helping to interpret the myriad meanings of this place that is as fascinating as it is enigmatic. The name Scarzuola derives from a wetland plant, the scarza, which St Francis is said to have used to build himself a hut on the site where the convent was later built. In the apse of the church of Santa Maria della Scarzuola – which cannot be visited, like the Convent – a fresco of St Francis rising resurfaced some 30 years ago, and is now considered one of the oldest in Umbria. Find out more The Scarzuola garden can be visited all year round, but only by appointment. The visit lasts about one and a half hours.

Teatro della Concordia: a small 18th-century pearl near Perugia Miniature jewel of art, indeed the smallest in the world with 99 seats between boxes and stalls: the Teatro della Concordia rises from the heart of Montecastello di Vibio, in the province of Perugia, not far from Todi, in a town that stands out on the right side of the Tiber Valley. Its name is not accidental and, in the 19th century, the time of its construction, it was intended to draw attention to the ideals of the French Revolution: liberty, equality and fraternity. Did you know that... There are even smaller theatres around the world. One example is the little theatre in the castle of Valvasone (PN). The Concordia theatre, however, is the oldest of those still in operation, unique architectural testimony of the 18th century Italian theatre in Goldonian style. Goldoni imposed strict rules for the construction of the ideal theatre, like using wood as the only element for the boxes and the bell-shaped floor plan for adequate acoustics. In fact, it is the smallest active historical theatre in the world. The Società del Teatro della Concordia, set up to manage the building, is now committed to keeping it open, offering performances and guided tours to the public. The story of this little wonder In the midst of the Napoleonic period, a group of nine illustrious local families set out to bring art to all, without sacrificing the best architectural details and the great artists of the time. Thus, the interior of the Teatro della Concordia in Montecastello di Vibio is particularly precious, enriched by frescoes decorating the boxes and vaulted ceiling: all by Cesare Agretti and his 15-year-old son Luigi. The latter made his mark with his paintings. Celebrities and curiosities The Teatro della Concordia has hosted great artists throughout its history. Think of the young soprano Antonietta Stella from Todi, who performed here in 1929, remembered as one of the best interpreters of Verdi's repertoire. Gina Lollobrigida, who made her debut as a young actress here in 1945 in Santarellina, by playwright Eduardo Scarpetta. The Teatro della Concordia, past to present In 1951, the hall was closed. A few years later the roof collapsed. The inhabitants of the area considered the theatre too important to lose it and thought of self-taxing in order to finance the restoration work, then completed by the Region, thanks to EU funds. In 1993, the restoration was completed and today the theatre is also used for conferences, meetings and civil weddings. From the smallest to the largest In 1997, the smallest theatre in the world twinned with the largest theatre in the world, the Teatro Farnese in Parma, seating approximately 3,000. For more information, the reference website is: www.teatropiccolo.it.

Assisi is the city of saints – Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Chiara of Assisi – its peaceful spirit is palpable with every step through its beautiful streets. It is a jewel of Umbria, in the province of Perugia, perched on the slopes of Mount Subasio.

A free city since 1228, it was an ally of Siena in its struggles against the papacy and in constant conflict with Perugia. Today, it is delightful getting lost in its alleyways that open onto grandiose views of the mountains of Central Italy, from Amiata to Cetona, from the Sibillini to Subasio.