Every itinerary can be changed to accommodate at the desires of customer The day trip start in general at 9.00 am and it is about 9 hours long.
Starting from your hotel, I will drive you to cities like Gubbio, Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto, Orvieto, Spello, Bevagna, Montefalco, Todi, Trasimeno Lake, Norcia,Cascia,Marmore waterfall.
All those towns are dating back to the middle ages and almost all the restaurants in the area are family owned.
I can will give you all the informations about the towns where we will be and we will walk togheter to visit its in the ancients and narrow streets.
We will stop for lunch in tipical restaurants if you wish, or we will eat good italian sandwiches to save time to see more towns.
We will drive back your hotel before the dinner.
Leaving Piazza IV Novembre, where the city's most important monuments are to be found (the fountain Fontana Maggiore, the Cathedral, and the Priors' Palace, which contains the National Museum of Umbria), continue along Corso Vannucci, the city's main axis.
After having arrived at Piazza Italia, which occupies the site of the 15th century strong-hold of the Rocca Paolina, return to Piazza IV Novembre passing along Via Biagiotti and without forgetting to take a look at the Palace of the People's Captain. Entering Via dei Priori at this point, you'll arrive at the Oratory of St. Bernardino, an architectural and sculptural Renaissance jewel.
Starting from Piazza S.Clare, where you can admire the splendid Gothic church, go up along the Corso Mazzini until you reach the Piazza del Comune.
Then take the Via St.Rufino to admire the beautiful facade of the Cathedral, and the characteristic Via di Santa Maria delle Rose until you arrive at the Major Castle. In descent, you may take one of the numerous small lanes which will take you back to the Piazza del Comune; from there, following Via Portica, Via del Seminario and Via St.Francis you\'ll reach the basilica. After having visited it, go down the Via frate Elia until you reach the Piazza St.Pietro. To return to Piazza St.Clare follow the streets of Via Borgo S. Pietro, Via S. Apollinare and Via S. Agnese.
One starts the visit entering through Via Matteotti from the statal road coming from Perugia. keeping on the way, passing via mausoleo one get to the Mausoleum of forty Martyrs, work of the architect Pietro Fringuelli, erected to remind the 40 patriots killed by the nazists on June, the 22nd 1944.
Continuing through via Matteotti one gets to the square of forty Martyrs, from which it is possible to admire the complex of the most interesting buildings in town. On the left side of the square the church of S. Francesco can be admired. From this square, going along Via della Repubblica one gets to the curch of S.Giovanni, then from via baldassini it is possible to admire the left side of the town hall and the arches realized by the Gattapone to support the square Piazza della Signoria. From this point it is possible to notice the imposing size of the Consuls Palace. Coming back through via Lucarelli one gets to piazza della Signoria, by way of stairs. From via dei consoli, one gets to largo del Bargello, embellished by a fountain, where the elegant Bargello Palace, dating from the XIII century, can be admired. On the left, after a few steps, one gets to the square of Giordano Bruno where there is the church of S.Domenico. Continuing by via Gabrielli and after by via Capitano del popolo one can visit the palace Capitano del Popolo . Coming back to via dei Consoli one takes on the left via Galeotti and then via Ducale and, taking again on the right via S.Ubaldo, one gets to the Dome and to the Dukes Palace called as well la Corte. By via Ducale one arrives at via XX Settembre and taking on the right via Mastro Giorgio first and via Savelli della Porta after one arrives at the church S.Maria Nuova.
Starting from the Piazza della Libertà, from where you can admire a good view of the Roman Theater, and going down Corso Mazzini from which, turning to the right, you'll easily arrive at the Galleria Comunale d'Arte Moderna (Municipal Gallery of Modern Art).
If, however, you turn to the left and go up the Via dello Sdrucciolo, crossing the Piazza della Genga, you'll reach the Piazza del Mercato (Marketplace). Continuing along in direction of the Castle on the left you'll see the Via di Visale and there, where the road meets with the Piazza del Municipio you may admire a Roman house dating back to the 1st century A.C. Crossing Piazza del Municipio and then Piazza Campello, where the Church of St. Simon (13th century) is to be found, on foot you'll arrive at the bottom of the Castle which was built on the orders of the Cardinal Albornotz during the papacy of Pope Innocent VI. Before descending again in direction in direction of the town it's a good idea to visit the Ponte delle Torri (Bridge of the Towers), a truly impressive structure, reaching a total height of 80 meters and a lenght of 230 meters. Going back the same way, from Piazza Campello take Via Saffi in descent until you reach on your right the stairway which will take you to Spoleto's most impressive square, where, apart from the Cathedral, you'll also find the small church of Manna d'Oro and the Caius Melissus Theater. Turning back to the Via Aurelio Saffi, before continuing along the Via dei Duchi, you'll find the Bishop's Palace and in the courtyard of the bishopric the church of St. Eufemia. Again at Piazza del Mercato, this time you'll cross it along its longest side until you pass unter the Arch of Drusus and along the church of St. Ansano. You then turn left to find yourself again in the Piazza della Libertà.
Orvieto origins go back to the Etruscan civilization: the first Etruscan settlements, going back to the 9th Century B.C., infact, were found inside the tufaceous caves in the bedrock upon which today rises the city.Annexed in the 3rd Century B.C. to the territories of Rome, it remained under the Roman domination until the decline of the Western Roman Empire. Afterwhich it became a free municipality, and during the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, was a valiant opponent of Barbarossa, remaining faithful to the Pope. Riding on the support of the Papal State, it was allowed to prosper through the entire Medieval Period, reaching the top of its development in the 13th Century with the constitution of the General Council of the 400 and the election of the Captain of the People.
It was during this period that one saw the fervent work of erecting palaces and holy buildings among which the very famous Cathedral stands out, dating back to 1263, undoubtedly the most important architectural landmark of the city, with its splendid Gothic facing and the richness of the ornaments and internal chapels. In the ancient town we also find the St.Patrizio well, built in 1527 based on a plan of Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane, the Palace of the Seven from 1300, the Palace of People Captain (12th Century) inside which took place the meetings of the People's Council, Saint Andrew's Church (12th Century), Saint Domenic's Church (12th Century), Saint Giovenale's Church (11th Century), Soliano Palace (1262) within which, one will find two museums: the Museum of the Opera del Duomo and the Museum of Modern Art. Moreover we remember the Mancinelli Theatre (1866), the suggestive Underground City and the Necropolis of the Crucifix of Tufo dating back to the Etruscan period.
Spello rises up between Assisi and Foligno, situated on a spur of Mount Subasio with all the flowery lanes.
Among the cities in the area is one that certainly includes the largest number of remains from Roman times, the walls, then the foundations for the medieval remains of the theater and the 'amphitheater, the baths and the beautiful Port Consoling, gates and gate Venus of the Augustan period. Going towards the 'top you reach the church, built between the twelfth and thirteenth century, Santa Maria Maggiore, which although showing a beautiful facade rebuilt with old materials in 1644 simultaneously with a change in architecture, has within it the greatest treasure. And 'fact, the marvelous Baglioni Chapel, on the left side of the nave, painted by Pinturicchio with images of the' Annunciation, the Nativity and the Dispute at the Temple, as well as other paintings by the same author in the chapels of the cruise and Perugino on the pillars of access to the presbytery. Not far you can visit the thirteenth-century church of St. Andrea which contains the painting Madonna and Saints "by Pinturicchio. Do not forget the town hall in Piazza della Repubblica with its beautiful arched portico and the church of S. Lorenzo remains of 'ancient building of the twelfth century. From the ruins of fourteenth-century fortress, situated on top of the hill overlooking the valley and the hills Topino tutt 'around. Just outside of 'home is the Romanesque church of S. Claudio and the Round Church built during the Renaissance and the Greek cross with an octagonal dome.
The ancient small town of Roman origin called Bevagna is to be found on the western fringe of the Foligno plain, at the foot of the group of hills where Montefalco rises up and near the loop of the river Timia.
Its modern-day appearance is surely the result of its developement during the Middle Ages. In fact, even if the Roman had constructed the ancient Menania in such a way that the Flaminia Road was the decuman axis of the town, the town's center is now placed more to the South. In Piazza Silvestri, you absolutely should not miss the Gothic Palace of the Consuls, situated singularly slantwise to the streets, amd the churches of St. Sylvester (1195 d.C.) and St. Michael Arcangel; the fountain which completes the scene of this exceptional public area is, however, an adaptation dating back to the 19th century. Even today, the medieval town portals, even after reconstructive measures such as those of the Porta San Venanzo in 1797, and long stretches of the old town walls, are in a good state of preservation. Other monuments testifying to the more ancient origins of Bevagna are not lacking: the ruins of a temple of the 2nd century A.C. on which the medieval church of the Madonna of the Snow was subsequently erected, the Roman theater (2nd century A.C.) which remains to serve as a foundation for a circular block along the course of the ancient Flaminia Road and the impressive remains of mosaics representing marine animals perhaps belonging to a thermal baths building. Among the most important manifestations taking place in the city we should absolutely mention the Market of the Gaite.
Montefalco, which is placed in a dominating position looking down on the valleys of the Topino and the Clitunno rivers, offers the viewer of a sweeping panorama of the Umbrian countryside.The buildings inside the ancient town walls which are definitely worth visiting are, without doubt, the Town Hall, which dates back to the 13th century, as does the church of St. Augustine, the Romanic church of St. Bartholomew with the Portal of Frederick II (1244) to be found near-by and the church of St. Chiara where, inside, you'll discover paintings by the Umbrian school. You absolutely should not forget to visit the 14th century church of St. Francis, which is now the seat of the Pinacoteque; in fact, inside, you'll find many paintings of great artistic value such as the "Nativity" by Perugino and the extraordinary cycle of frescoes: " The Stories of St. Francis by Benozzo Gozzoli. Near the inhabitated area you'll find the 16th century church of St. Illuminata and the 15th century church of St. Fortunato which contains, in the lunette of the portal and in the altar to the right, works of art by Benozzo Gozzoli.
Among the most important typical products in the city we should absolutely mention the Sagrantino of Montefalco wine.
Situated at 604 meters above sea level between the Sordo and Torbidone rivers, the town of Norcia, in ancient times known as "Nursia",is the region's largest town. The city's origins go back to ancient times: already during the Punic wars between the Romans and the Phenicians, Norcia was of great importance as has been recorded by Roman historians. Later, during Roman times, the town gained political importance: first, as prefecture and then as a township. Upset by the Longobards and then by the Goths, it later recovered and became an active town during the Middle Ages. Its storical treasures have been damaged for the major part by the very frequent earthquakes with have devasted the town during the centuries. The first recorded earthquake in fact dates back to the first part of the 6th century. However, due to a very meticulous restoration, the city is now able to show its original structure, with its splendid medieval and lordly architecture.As with the town of Cascia, Norcia was the birth-place of a great religious personage: St.Benedict who was the first monk of Christian faith and the founder of the Benedictine order. He lived at the end of the 6th century between prayer and the humility of work, as he himself synthetized in his famous words: "Prayer and Work".
The city is worth an excursion for the restaurants which offer the typical regional cuisine, and for a more attentive and profound visit, for its important works of art, which are all to be found in its old city walls. In this sense, the Gothic church of St. Benedict, is impressive, built in the shape of a Latin cross with a poligonal apsis and with a beautiful ogival portal. Its interior is built on two levels: above, you'll find the main church while the crypt is to be found below. Inside, you'll find precious frescoes and paintings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The outside of the church preserves its original structure in only one part of the facade. A portico gives movement to the right-hand lateral side of the church until the bell-tower. The Cathedral, on the other hand, dates back to the Renaissance period; unfortunately, not much of the original building has remained, as restoration during the baroque era has changed its architectural style. Another impressive example of Renaissance architecture, this time civil, is the "Castellina", a four-sided strong-hold built by Vignola and nowadays seat of the Municipal Diocesan Museum. The church of St.Augustine, worth a visit because of its ogival portal which in its lunette contains a well-preserved fresco of the Madonna and Child with St. Augustine, and that of St. John, which, not like the former, has lost its original structure because of modifications during the baroque era, both date back to the 14th century. The church of St. Francis with its rose-window which opens upon its facade, is also noteworthy. Near Norcia, the small town of Serravalle offers the magical atmosphere of a village lost among the green Umbrian hillside. For trekking lovers and walkers, the plain of Castelluccio offers a truly unique spectacle, in particular during Spring-time when the meadows, because of the flowers in bloom, assume a thousand different tonalities mixed together in a multitude of colours.
In speaking of Cascia, one can not mention Santa Rita, the nun who was beatified in 1900, lived between 1381 and 1457. Today, Santa is known as a dispenser of grace, is revered around the world and many people went on pilgrimage every year during the celebrations at the Shrine of St Rita dedicated to her.
Attractions in the town are above the jewels of medieval architecture: the Gothic church of San Francesco, which affects the beauty of the canopy and its arched gate, the church of Saint Anthony, originally from 1400 but renovated and altered in the Baroque era shows that within a cycle of paintings on the history of the saint. The collegiate church of Santa Maria is one of the oldest buildings in town, it dates back to the Lombard era, though, because of the damage reported in the earthquakes that have characterized the geologic history of these lands has been significantly modified. Inside can be seen remarkable works of art like the wooden crucifix in 1400.
n the Gothic period the church of St. Augustine, in which there are wonderful examples of frescoes of the Umbrian school and Perugia. Of great historical and religious are the basilica and monastery of St. Rita, real world famous religious centers.
This is definitely an absolute must for whoever decides to visit Umbria.
The Waterfalls, which are immersed in a natural scenery of incomparable beauty, are an artificial work due to the Romans. In fact, at that time, the Velino river was greatly enlarged and had created a vast zone of stagnant waters, swampy and unhealthy. Aiming to make these waters deflow, the consul Curius Dentatus had a canal dug which directed them in direction of the Marmore cliff. From there, he had them precipitate, in a total fall of 165 meters, into the river-bed of the Nera river which runs along below. In every age, the beauty of the Waterfalls has inspired poets and artists, among these: Virgilius, Cicero, G. Byron, and many others. For about 50 years now the waters of the Waterfall are used to fuel the hydroelectric power plant Galleto. Therefore, the spectacle of the Waterfalls can only be admired during the opening hours which are quoted in the table below. It was in fact due to the abbundance of these waters and the energy they generate that it was possible to establish the metal-working, electrochemical and electric industries at Terni.
New prices for the entrance to Waterfall:
Full € 5.00 (1 free ticket for groups of minimum 15 peoples)
Reduced € 2.50 (school groups, children under 12 years, residents).
Free admission (children under 6 years old).
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