Umbria: wild woods, green hills and art cities; unspoiled nature and sacred art…
Umbria is the green heart of Italy. It is a green and mystical land of woods, hills, monasteries and art cities. Romanesque churches, gothic cathedrals, basilicas and ancient palaces are evidences of the great artistic tradition, that beautify the uncontaminated nature.
Soprano Suggested Areas
Other areas to visit
Coming Here
Internation Airport of Perugia | Sant’Egidio. Phone: +39 075 592141. Tickets: +39 075 5921432/3
Geography
Umbria is the smaller region in Italy, in the very heart of the peninsula. It is a green area bisected by the Tiber river. In Latin the name Umbria means shady, and up to know the land is shaded by the woods. Much of its territory is hilly, but a consistent part is mountainous.
Climate
Umbria climate is very variable, due to the large difference in altitude. On the plain and hills there is a tempered climate, while on the mountains is rather continental. Average summer temperatures of Perugia, the provincial capital, are 23 °C, that lower in winter to 4° C.
Events
Umbria Jazz | One of the most important jazz festivals in Europe. It takes place in Umbria in summer, but there is a winter edition as well (Christmas period).
Festival dei 2 Mondi | The art festival takes place in Spoleto between the end of June and the beginning of July. The fascinating setting is the ancient Roman theatre.
History and Culture
Umbria is inhabited since protohistoric. Its civilization reflects its geographical shape, bisected by the Tiber. To the west of the river there were the Etruscans, a population devoted to trade, and therefor opened to the world. To the east of the Tiber, there were Umbrian people, who occupied an isolated area. Most art exhibits visible today are Etruscan. Around Orvieto and Perugia it is possible to admire extraordinary necropolis and walls of this period.
The rivalry between the Umbrians and the Etruscans favored the Romans, who won the region in 295 BC. They founded several colonies, like Spoleto, and they built a magnificent road crossing the area, called Via Flaminia. With the collapse of the Roman Empire, Umbria was occupied by Ostrogoths, Byzantines and Lombards. Finally Charlemagne conquered the region and ceded it to the Pope.
In Middle Ages, new walled towns began to rise, developing in the framework of the papal State. Up to now Umbria is deeply rooted in the christian spirituality. Saint Benedict (480-547) and Saint Francis (1182-1226) were born here, and they represent two examples of the mystical fervor that enlightened Umbria. Today you can visit splendid Benedictine monasteries around Perugia, and fascinating frescoes in Assisi.
Between XII and XVI centuries, the Umbrian artistic production became sublime, thanks to geniuses such as Giotto, Cimabue and Raffaello. Artists from all over Italy came here, to follow the spiritual and artistic explosion of this fascinating land.
In XVIII century, with the outbreak of French Revolution, Umbria became part of the Roman Republic (1789-1799), of the Napoleonic Empire (1809-1814), and finally of the Kingdom of Italy (1860).
Today it is one of the best preserved regions in Italy.
UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Assisi | The Basilica of San Francis and other Franciscan Sites
Food
The Umbrian cuisine has retained features dating to the Middle Ages. The traditional broaching and grilling for example go back in time, to the methods used in medieval castles.
Olive oil is the first ingredient of any Umbrian meal, capocollo the best traditional ham, and pecorino di Norcia the most appreciated cheese. Other traditional products are honey, that you can find in tens of varieties, mushrooms, dried or canned, and truffle, used to dress the pasta. Chestnuts are used for cakes and to cook the the meet as well. The game meat is widespread and delicious. The traditional cake is a mixture of eggs, sugar, flour and honey fried in olive oil, called castagnole.
MAIN AREAS
Orvieto and Todi
The southern part of Umbria is an area of rare beauty. Historical towns such as Orvieto, Todi and Spoleto dot a wild land, covered by woods and countryside. More info…
Perugia and Assisi
Perugia, the provincial capital, is in the northern part of Umbria and it stands on a hill. All major attractions are in the historic centre: Rocca Paolina, the medieval citadel, the Etruscan city gate of Porta Marzia, the large fountain Fontana Maggiore, the Cathedral of Saint Lorence and Palazzo dei Priori (the town hall). Traditional narrow streets and good restaurants dot this fascinating city.
South of Perugia, Assisi, the city-santuary, represents an ensemble of masterpieces of human creative genius and spirituality, and it is therefor listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We are in the land of Saint Frances, and every cathedral, church and fresco expresses the mystical power of this man, who changed forever the history of Christianity.
The countryside of the area is simple amazing. Two interesting destinations are Piana di Castelluccio and Trasimeno lake. Castelluccio di Norcia is located in the very heart of Mount Sibillini Natural Park, on a flat land where lentils are grown. The flowers of this plant are multicolored, and in spring and summer they create extraordinary colored landscapes. The lake Trasimeno offers a beautiful countryside, dotted of ancient castles and charming villages.