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LOCATION AND TERRITORY

Umbria, the green heart of Italy, lies in the centre of the Italian peninsula, amid the green hills of the Apennines.
The provinces’ landscapes are varied with the extensive valley of the Tiber, the fertile valleys of the Chiascio and Topino, and the Nera Valley, rich in unspoiled nature.
Umbria has numerous thermal and mineral springs, but it does not have a sea coastline, however there is plenty here for lovers of water to do with the great lakes of Trasimeno and Piediluco and the impressive waterfall Cascata delle Marmore.
Umbria is mostly hilly and mountainous with the Apennines dominating to the east.

ACTIVITES

The sportive activities are well mixed with the cultural ones: you can do artistic paths or explore the secrets of the nature, having a naturalistic walk among forests and caves in the protected area of WWF.
Umbria is an appropriate location to practice bird watching.
You may go hang-gliding, do excursions by bicycles and free climbing.
The more exciting sportive activity to practice is the canoe. You can also go horse riding.

WHAT TO VISIT

Perugia
Perugia is the main town of Umbria.
Originally Perugia was an Etruscan settlement and is possible to start the discovery of the city by passing under the intact Etruscan arch (Arco Etrusco).
Before exploring the many narrow alleyways, place yourself in Piazza IV Novembre and take in the magnificence of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Maggiore Fountain (note the relief from Aesop’s Fables) and Palazzo dei Priori.
For the equally impressive view of the valley 500 meters below, walk along Corso Vannucci to Rocca Paolina.
Perugia is perhaps best known for the annual events of Eurochocolate and Umbria Jazz held respectively in October and July.
Perugia is also university town and the University for Foreigners for Italian Language Studies is the oldest and most prestigious institute of its kind in Italy.

Assisi
Assisi in central Umbria is truly a special place with a tranquil atmosphere.
The birthplace of Saint Francis was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2000, just after the major earthquake made serious ruins of several medieval masterpieces.
The crypt of the Basilica of San Francesco (upper and lower church) preserves the Saint's tomb and the Giotto’s frescos. Pope John Paul II gave fresh impetus to the memory of the Saint by proposing Assisi as the Capital of Peace and Dialogue.
Every year now sees the March of Peace when thousands from every part of Italy and abroad walk from Perugia to the town.
There are also to visit Basilica of St. Clare, Municipal Gallery and Archaeological Museum with Etruscan and Roman remains.

Orvieto
Orvieto is perched on a 300 sq. meter lump of tuff rock between the rivers Paglia and Chiani and was perhaps the most important of all the Etruscan settlements. The city bordered the lands of the Umbri and Falisci and was a key trading center.
The many tombs built into the rock suggest strong economic, cultural and political advancement throughout the centuries.
The main monument to visit is the Cathedral that was built in 1290 to celebrate the Corpus Domini miracle, which took place at Bolsena in 1264. The impressive facade by Maitani dates from 1330 and still suffers earthquake damage from time to time.
Inside is the fresco (The Apocalypse) by Luca Signorelli.
Other monuments to visit are the St. Andrea’s Church, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the Pozzo di St. Patrizio.

Todi
Todi has also been classified as the ideal town, by a group of American researchers, because it sits in a hilly zone in harmony with its environment.
The present city wall dates from 1244. Do visit the Convent Complex of Montesanto at the foot of the hill where the 'Pian di Porto' recalls the failed attempt by the Florentines to steal the body of St Philip of Benizi of the Servants of Mary.
Other interesting places to visit are: S.Maria della Consolazione, Palazzo dei Priori, Cathedral of S. Maria Annunziata and Palazzo del Capitano.

Gubbio
Old Iguvium sits looking down the wide valley and ever since the Eugubini created their '7 bronze tables' in the 300BC, depicting life at the time, the town has retained an architectural and cultural style.
Interestingly, the Romans preferred the open land of the valley. Look out or the well-preserved amphitheater and Mausoleum of Pomponio Grecino in the fields.

Spoleto
Spoleto is a tourist and cultural centre of international fame. Since 241 B.C. was a Roman colony and then it was occupied by the Goths and later taken by the Longobards.
Taken in 1324 by the free town of Perugia, it then passed under the control of the Church State. Monuments to visit: Cathedral, Rocca di Albornoz, Chiesa di S.Pietro, Municipal Gallery and Mont Luco.

Trasimeno Lake
The Trasimeno is the fourth largest lake of Italy. The lake is fed by small torrents and through an artificial subterranean emissary dating back to the Roman period is linked to the Tiber basin.
It has three islands: Isola Maggiore, Isola Minore and Isola Polvese. Its banks are famous in history, because the Roman consul Caius Flaminius had been defeated there by Hannibal. 

Citta’ di Castello
It’s a village near Perugia. His fame derives from the traditional ceramic manufactures and polygraph industries. Monuments to visit: Chiesa di S.M. Maggiore, the Municipal Palace and the Municipal Gallery. 

Campello sul Clitunno
This place is the theatre of the famous springs of the river Clitunno and the Temple of Clitunno, a church dedicated to St. Salvatore. There are also the Castle of Rovero and Chiesa Della Bianca.

Norcia, Cascia
Norcia is an agricultural centre with cattle and swine breeding. It’s well known because of the world’s best salamis and the black truffle. The main monuments are: Municipal Palace and St. Benedetto’s Church.
Located on the St. Agostino hill, Cascia is a religious site, so the main monument to visit is the Sanctuary of S.Rita of Cascia.

Food specialties
Strascinati and umbrici are local pasta specialties, both long, thick spaghetti.
Ciriole ternana: these are fairly thick tagliatelle made with dough that contains water as well as eggs, and dressed with oil, garlic and a soupcon of chili pepper.
In Umbria food, pasta is often flavored with a grating of the local black truffles, found around Norcia.
Chocolate (Perugina brand) has made Perugia famous all over the world.
Pan nociato is a kind of brand made with pecorino cheese, walnuts and pine nuts.
Legumes deserve almost an entire page to themselves in Umbria food: a good example is the wonderful, lentils of Castelluccio.
The most prestigious Umbrian wine is the red Torgiano Rosso riserva. Sagrantino is an ancient grape’s variety grown only around the hill town of Montefalco.
Umbria is the land of extra-virgin olive oil also.

CLIMATE AND TRAVEL SEASON

Umbria has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Rain and snow are common, especially in the Apennines.
The colder months are From December to February, although the hotter one is August. So the best time to visit Umbria is in the spring or summer.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Umbria Jazz is a world-renowned event dedicated to Jazz and has taken place in Perugia since 1973. The event takes place over 10 days in July in the historical center of Perugia.
For more than thirty years, Umbria Jazz has played host to some of the most significant jazz artists.

The Eurochocolate event, that takes place in October, makes Perugia the “City of Chocolate” witch every year receives almost 900,000 visitors!

The Corpus Domini is a significant and solemn event in the Christian liturgical calendar. Pope Urban IV following the miracle of Bolsena instigated it on the 8th September 1264. Since then, every year in Orvieto, on the Sunday following the feast of the Corpus Domini, the remains of the sacred host from the Miracle of Bolsena, contained in a precious reliquary, is carried in a procession through the streets.

The Palio dell’oca (horserace of the goose) happens each year according to a traditional medieval game of skill.
The competition takes place in Orvieto’s square with the opposing factions of 'Cavaroli' and 'Pistrellesi'.

Frantoi aperti sulla strada del Sagrantino is a celebration about olive oil that begin in the first days of November at Giano dell’ Umbria. During this event, the town organizes guided tours to tasting local production.

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