Spello Attractions

Northwest of Foligno, picturesquely situated on the lower slopes of Monte Subasio, is Spello (280m/924ft; pop. 7,800), the ancient Hispellum, which still preserves part of its walls and gates, among which the Porta Venere of the Augustan period. From the Porta Consolare, with three portrait-statues, a street leads up to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore (1285), with a number of notable works of art - in the Cappella Baglioni frescoes by Pinturicchio (1501), as well as majolica flooring from Deruta (1566); on the high altar a magnificent marble tabernacle by Rocco da Vicenza (1515); in the sacristy and presbytery are frescoes by Pinturicchio. Above Santa Maria rises the church of Sant'Andrea (13th century), which has further frescoes by Pinturicchio.