Umbria - Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio, Orvieto, Todi Attractions
The Central Italian region of Umbria extends on both sides of the Tiber, whose wide valley is flanked by the foothills of the Apennines. Umbria is bounded on the west by Tuscany, on the east by the Marche and on the south by Latium. The political region of Umbria, with its capital Perugia, takes in the two provinces of Perugia and Terni.
Economy
The spacious countryside of Umbria, with its easily accessible hills and its fertile lowlands, has been from time immemorial a prosperous farming region (corn, olives, sugar-beet, tobacco, market gardening; sheep and pigs). Umbria is one of the regions where truffles can be found. 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.
Economy
The spacious countryside of Umbria, with its easily accessible hills and its fertile lowlands, has been from time immemorial a prosperous farming region (corn, olives, sugar-beet, tobacco, market gardening; sheep and pigs). Umbria is one of the regions where truffles can be found. 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.
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Bevagna, Italy
Southwest of Foligno, in the valley of the Clitunno, lies the little town of Bevagna (210m/693ft; pop. 4,500). In the picturesque main square are the churches of San Silvestro and San Michele, with early medieval facades.
Collazzone, Italy
Collazzone is situated to the north of Todi. The town, built on a hill 469m/1,540ft above sea level, is surrounded by olive groves and forests of pine trees and oaks. Its altitude and vegetation combine to give the town fresh, healthy air and a beautiful panoramic view.
Sites to visit in the town include: convent of St. Lorenzo and the polychrome wooden Madonna.
Sites to visit in the town include: convent of St. Lorenzo and the polychrome wooden Madonna.
Fratta Todina, Italy
Fratta Todina is situated to the north of Todi and is the smallest township in the district and one of the smallest in the region. Because of its geographical position, Fratta was the object of fighting between Todi and Perugia, both of which sought to have control of the territory of the other side of the Tiber.
This town is home to the Franciscan convent of Spineta and the bishop of the 15th century palace.
This town is home to the Franciscan convent of Spineta and the bishop of the 15th century palace.
Marsciano, Italy
Marsciano is known as the home of several large industries. Its countryside is of interest not so much for the grandeur of its landscapes as for the serenity and beauty of its small hills and valleys and the small streams that run through them.
Massa Martana, Italy
Massa Martana is the administrative center of an area which is, for the most part, agricultural. It is located at the foot of the Martana mountains which are of much interest to tourists and nature lovers. One finds a wealth of typically Mediterranean flora, numerous rustic shelters, and ruins that date from the Roman republic. Along the mountainside one can still unearth fossils and ammonite, proof that long ago the entire area was submerged under what is commonly known as Lake Tiberino.
Montecastello di Vibio, Italy
Montecastello di Vibio is situated to the northwest of Todi. It is a medieval town with surrounding fortified walls.
Passignano sul Trasimento, Italy
On a promontory on the north side of Lake Trasimene is the ancient little town of Passignano sul Trasimento (289m/954ft), with an old castle; on another promontory rising above the west side of the lake is Castiglione del Lago (304m/1,003ft), with the ducal castle of the Cornia family.
Trevi, Italy
South of Foligno, off S.S. 3 to the east, is Trevi (412m/1,360ft; pop. 7,300), the Roman Trebiae, magnificently situated on the slopes of a steep hill. In the central Piazza Mazzini stands the Palazzo Comunale (14th/15th/16th century) with an open arcaded hall on the ground floor. The Via San Francesco leads to the Franciscan church of San Francesco (1288), which is to house the municipal picture collection. Outside the town stands the church of San Martino, with fine frescoes and a beautiful view of Trevi. Below the old town, on the link road to the state road no. 3, stands the Renaissance church of the Madonna della Lacrime, famous for its "Adoration of the Three Kings" by Perugino.
