Gubbio’s history dates back to the pre-Roman times, when Ikuvium was already an important town of the Umbrian country. Today the town has 35.000 inhabitants, with many historical buildings belonging to different ages. The Palazzo dei consoli dates back to 14th century, and many Roman finds are kept inside. On 15th May Gubbio celebrates its most important day: every year the Corsa dei Ceri takes place on this day: 20 people carry a huge wooden statue running along the narrow streets of the town. Gubbio’s origins are witnessed in the famous Tavole Eugubine, an important document belonging to the pre-Roman, Italian era. The Roman theatre is just outside the city walls. The Basilica dedicated to the Patron St. Ubaldo was built on a hill overlooking the city centre. Gubbio has many architectonic jewels, witnessing the power of this centre in the medieval time. Gubbio also plays an important role in St. Francis’s life: here he actually met the famous dangerous wolf.
This beautiful town is also characterized by the excellent food and its typical products, like the friccò and the torta al testo, which you can try in one of the various restaurants.
GUBBIO
Città di Castello
This the place wher many famous srtists of the middle ages and the Renaissance have worked, among them Perugino, Pintoricchio, Benozzo Gozzoli, Giotto, Cimabue, Luca Signorelli, Filippo Lippi, until the contamporary Alberto Burri. This land has seduced painters like Turner and Corot. This is where Umbria’s sweet hills slowly grow in order to form the harsh Apennines. These places have kept their untouched fascination and they contribute to the region’s quality, with their events, culture, historical theatres and their small museums, which are linked to the oldest local traditions and products.
Perugia
The town was organized in 5 boroughs already during 11th century; they were named after the Roman – Etruscan city gates which stood along the city walls: Porta Sole, Porta Sant’Angelo, Porta Santa Susanna, Porta Eburnea, Porta San Pietro. The following expansion of the town, during the 12th century, included some villages outside the city walls, and the shape of Perugia changed, becoming a sort of star crossed by many roads, along the slopes of a hill.
Norcia
Norcia is not the typical touristic village: it must be discovered and lived to be appreciated. You can transform your holiday into an unforgettable experience. Here nature, mysticism, food, art and quiet life are melted. We have selected some special moments for you, experiences we’d suggest to our friends, to let you discover the real nature of this land.
Assisi
Lying on the scope of the mount Subasio, it’s St. Francis’s birthplace. The medieval city centre is organized along the old Roman ways: on the main square Piazza del Comune you’ll find the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, il Palazzo dei Priori and the temple dedicated to Minerva. The holy monastery of St. Francis is among the most famous buildings of the town, with its Basilica frescoed by Giotto. Among the other churches we can mention the 14th century church dedicated to St. Clara, the Church S. Maria Maggiore, with Pinturicchio’s frescoes, and the big fortress overlooking the town from the top of the hill. The church S.Maria degli Angeli houses the Porziuncola, the first Franciscan chapel, the chapel of Transito, where St. Francis died and the Chapel del Roseto. Just a few kilometers far from here you can visit the Franciscan hermitage delle carceri, built by St. Bernardino in 15th century.
Trasimeno Lake
The Trasimeno lake is the largest lake of centre Italy, the 4th biggest in Italy. It’s a river – and partly tectonic lake.
It’s heart-shaped and its surface is 128 square Kilometers. Its waters are just 6 meters deep, the banks are low with grooves of reeds around. It is surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, with gardens and farms.
The Trasimeno lake belongs to Umbria but it is actually a natural border between Umbria and Tuscany, the borders between the two regions is here undistinguished, as well as the dialect spoken here and the food and flavors.
Marmore Falls
The Marmore waterfall has been described throughout the centuries for its breathtaking beauty, it’s a huge water pillar with three leaps. The water wraps up the surrounding nature in a white cloud of foam, 165 meters high. The extraordinary view is the product of over two thousand years of human work; men have actually tried to divert the waters of the river Velino since the Roman age, in oder to let them flow into the river Nera.
The Monte Cucco Park
The Monte Cucco (mt. 1566) stands out against the Apennines, and its Umbrian side reaches the old Flaminia road, where you can still find a lot of Roman works. It is the “womb” of the Apennines, rich of caves, underground waters rivers and waters which still feed the public aqueducts. The mineral water pours out into the rivers Sentino and Chiascio. Many fossils and woods characterize the landscape. The park is the home of mountain sports: free flight, caving and cross country ski.