Spoleto Attractions

A road from the east end of the Ponte delle Torri winds its way up the wooded hillside to Monteluco (804m/2,653ft), from which there are magnificent views.

Below the summit is a Franciscan friary.

Continuing past the remains of the old town walls of Spoleto above the deep ravine of the Tessino, we come to the imposing Ponte delle Torri, an aqueduct and viaduct (pedestrians only) linking the town with Monte Luco (804m/2,653ft). Built of freestone, with 10 arches (230m/250yd long, 81m/267ft high), it was constructed in the 14th century, probably on the foundations of an earlier Roman aqueduct.

From the east end of the Ponte delle Torri a road follows the edge of the Tessino ravine (1km/0.75mi) to the church of San Pietro (388m/1,280ft), founded in the fifth century and rebuilt in the 14th century, with 11-12th century reliefs on the facade (the four upper scenes are later).

Between Via Saffi and Via dei Munizipio lies the Palazzo Comunale (13th century; entrance in Via del Munizipio), with the town's picture collection occupying a few rooms. Opposite the Palazzo Comunale are the remains of a small Roman temple (basilica). On Via Saffi, to the north behind the Palazzo Comunale, in the courtyard of the Bishop's Palace, is hidden the pretty Romanesque church of Sant'Eufemia (12th century), the choir of which can be seen from the Piazza del Duomo.

On the east side of the Town Hall in Spoleto lies the tree-shaded Piazza Campello. From here Via della Rocca runs to the Rocca, built in the 14th century as the residence of the Papal governor and now a prison. The castle has two fine courtyards surrounded by a rectangular wall with towers. Below the Rocca Via del Ponte leads to the Porta Rocca, outside which are remains of the old town walls (on the left).

From Piazza Garibaldi the Porta Garibaldi leads into the Piazza della Vittoria (gardens). Immediately east of the gate are the remains of a Roman Bridge, the Ponte Sanguinario (24m/26yd long, 10m/33ft high), to which visitors can descend.

In the large Piazza Garibaldi in the northern part of the town the Romanesque church of San Gregorio Maggiore, consecrated in 1146, has a 16th century porch and an interesting interior with old frescoes.

A short distance south of San Salvatore is the 13th century church of San Ponziano.

From the Porta Garibaldi we cross the Tessino and 100m/110yd beyond the bridge turn right along the river and then left up the hill to reach the church of San Salvatore (also known as il Crocifisso), on a terrace in the Camposanto, which was originally built at the end of the 4th century within the remains of a Roman temple.

A narrow, steep lane leads up to the Baroque church of Sant'Ansano (18th century) in Spoleto, built on the site of a Roman temple. The Arch of Drusus (Arco di Druso), made of large stone blocks in A.D. 24, once formed the entrance to the Roman forum, the present Piazza del Mercato (market place).

On the Piazza della Libertà in Spoleto are the remains of a Roman theater (first century B.C.), which could accommodate 3,000 spectators. Near the amphitheater lies the entrance to the Spoleto Archeological Museum.

On the lane going off the Piazza del Mercato near the Baroque wall-fountain are medieval workshops and shops (botteghe) which now house delicatessens and handicraft shops.