Umbria - Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio, Orvieto, Todi Attractions

Only around the towns of Terni, Narni and Foligno, where power is supplied by large hydro- electric stations, has there been any considerable development of industry (chemicals, metal-working); textile manufacture and the production of craft articles have also become established in the Perugia and Spoleto areas. An important contribution to the economy is also made by the tourist trade.

History

In ancient times this was the homeland of the Umbrians, and there was also some Etruscan settlement in the region. In 295 B.C. it came under Roman control, and in the reign of Augustus was combined with Etruria to form the sixth region (Regio VI) of the Empire. After the fall of Rome and the subsequent Gothic wars it became part of the Lombard duchy of Spoleto and of the States of the Church. During the Middle Ages, rent by bitter conflicts between the various towns - which enjoyed a large measure of independence - and the ruling families, the region fell into a decline, until the Church succeeded in establishing its authority in the 16th century. In 1860, after a plebiscite, Umbria and its capital Perugia became part of the united kingdom of Italy.

Umbria has a number of towns which stand high among Italy's tourist attractions, in particular Perugia, Assisi and Orvieto.