Umbria Tour in Spoleto, Spello and Montefalco

Spoleto: Located at the head of a large, broad valley, surrounded by mountains, Spoleto has long occupied a strategic geographical position. T.he first historical mention of Spoletium is the notice of the foundation of a colony there in 241 BC. Under the Lombards, Spoleto became the capital of an independent duchy, the Duchy of Spoleto (from 570), and in 774 it became part of the Holy Roman Empire. Several of its dukes, mainly during the late 9th Century, rose to wear the crown of that Empire.  In 1155 it was destroyed by Frederick Barbarossa. In 1213 it was definitively occupied by Pope Gregory IX. During the absence of the papal court in Avignon, it was prey to the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, until in 1354 Cardinal Albornoz brought it once more under the authority of the Papal States. In 1860, after a gallant defence, Spoleto was taken by the troops fighting for the unification of Italy. The Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds), founded in 1958, has developed into one of the most important cultural manifestations in Italy, with a three-week schedule of music, theater and dance performances.

Do not miss! Roman theater, Festival dei due Mondi (Festival of the two worlds), Cathedral, Fortress, Tower Bridge, Mascherone Fountain.

Spello: Populated in ancient times by the Umbri, it became a Roman colony in the 1st century BC and during the Imperial Age, “Hispellum” enjoyed the favor of many emperors and it was a religious place of a great importance. It probably became a municipality around the 12th century, and like all Italian towns in the Middle Ages it was involved in battles against other cities such as Assisi (1293) and the Duchy of Spoleto (1298), and in the 14th century it was subjected to various families, like the Baglioni, Gian Galeazzo Visconti (1347-1402), Braccio Fortebraccio (1368-1424). More years of war followed, until, in the 16th century, Spello finally came under the dominion of the Church State until the Unification of Italy in 1861.

Do not miss! Porta Consolare (Gate), Porta di Venere (Gate), “Arch of Augustus” (Gate), Santa Maria Maggiore church and Pinturicchio frescos, Infiorate (Flowers festival).

Montefalco: The town has been actively settled since the times of the Umbri. It has been under the successive domination of the Romans, Lombards, being called Coccorone in the Middle Ages. In 1249 it was sacked by Frederick II, but was soon rebuilt with the modern name. from the 13th century it had been a free city state (comune) under the domination of local nobles and merchants, but later, as with many other Umbrian locales, the comune gave way to government by the Trinci family. In 1446 it fell under the rule of the Papal States where it remained until the unification of Italy in 1861. The town is also famous for its Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG wine. From 100% Sagrantino grapes, even today it is produced in two different types: dry and sweet. It has a minimum alcoholic strength of 13,00% and a minimum aging process of 30 months.

Do not miss! Saint Francis church, Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall).