Spoleto

Province of Perugia - Tourist Information I.A.T. Tel 0743-218620/21, Town Hall 0743-2181.

USEFUL FACTS

Population: 38,429 (Spoletini); surface sq km: 349.63, height above sea level 396 m, distance from Perugia: Km 63; Tel. Dial/Area Code 0743; Zip/Postal Code 06049; Train Station (FS in Spoleto) 1km; Motorway/Highway: Autostrada del Sole (Florence-Rome), exit at Orte coming from Rome, then continue on highway E-45 and continue on SS Terni to Spoleto, coming from Florence exit at Val di Chiana then proceed ahead on the highway towards Perugia-Foligno-Spoleto.

Hamlets: Acquaiola, Acquacastagna, Ancaiano, Azzano, Bazzano Inferiore, Bazzano Superiore, Beroide, Camporoppolo, Cerqueto, Cese, Collerisana, Cortaccione, Crocemaroggia, Eggi, Fogliano, Forca di Cerro, Madonna di Baiano, Messenano, Montebibico, Monteluco, Monte Martano, Morgnano, Morro, Ocenelli, Perchia, Petrognano, Pompagnano, Pontebari, Poreta, Protte, Rubbiano, San Brizio, San Giacomo, S. Giovanni di Baiano, S. Martino in Trignano, San Nicolò, S. Silvestro, Santa Croce, Sant'Anastasio, S. Angelo in Mercole, S. Venanzo, Silvignano, Somma, Strettura, Terraia, Terzc la Pieve, Terzo San Severo, Uncinano, Valdarena, Valle San Martino, Vallocchia.

HISTORY

Set on a hill at the foot of Monteluco, near the River Tessino, in the lower edge of the Valle Umbra, Spoleto is an ancient town, inhabited since prehistoric times, as documented by archaeological finds within its territory. In the Iron Age, remains of walls and tombs were found under the cathedral, Center of the Foundation of Umbra, at the time of the Sannitiche Wars, Spoleto was Romanized in the fourth century B.C. In the third century B.C. it was subject to Rome rule, and in 241 B.C. it was established as a colony: Spoletium. Loyal to Rome, Spoletium, backed up Rome in the battles against the Carthaginians warding off the armies of Hannibal, which after the victorious battle of Trasimeno, the Hannibal army was preparing to advance on Rome and it was Spoleto, in fact, that obstructed the march onto Rome. This loyalty to Rome, remained years after that long conflict with the Carthaginians who saw Rome engaged on several fronts, and in 90 B.C., Spoleto was elevated to a Municipality, ascribed to the Horatia Tribe. During the Civil War (88-84 B.C.) between Marius and Sulla, the plain Spoletium was the scene of a bloody clash between the legions of Carinate and those of Pompeo and Crassus, and in 82 B.C. the city, near the walls of which they had fled, defeated Carinate, and it was attacked and looted by the victors. Spoleto from the Roman period even today still holds a substantial amount of remains as a testament to its importance at that time, as a growing center of the Roman Empire. With the fall of the Roman Empire, in 476 A.D., Spoleto also met with Barbarian invasions and in 545 A.D., it was taken by force and ransacked by the Goths of Totila. In 568 A.D. the Lombards descended into Italy and occupied Spoleto, and it was established as the head of a vast Duchy, initiated by Faroaldo I in 571 A.D. and expanded later by Autari that, under the name of the Duchy of Spoleto, extended its boundaries from the vicinity of Rome to the the Maritime Pentapolis and the Duchy of Benevento. The Duchy of central Italy with its capital in Spoleto largely remained independent until 729 A.D. In 744, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, and who conquered the Lombard Kingdom and Spoleto was also subjected to ruled by these two factions. As a result of the break-up of the Carolingian Empire, the Dukes of Spoleto, Guido III (in 890) and his son Lamberto (892) resumed the reins of the state, heading directly for the conquest of the Imperial Crown. In 1155 Frederick I of Swabia went to ltaly. Spoleto, faithful to the Church, to affirm his devotion, opposed the emperor, but was defeated and destroyed losing power that up to that moment had seen Spoleto leader at the center of military supremacy for a vast territory. Involved in disputes between the Empire and the Church, in 1198, Spoleto fought the Empire along with Pope Innocent III, lost the battle and was permanently dominated in 1247. Torn by violent struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, and its rule, for a short period, by Perugia. Later recaptured by Cardinal Albornoz, from the Papal Legate and reinstated Spoleto to the Papal States and it became one of its most important centers. It later belonged to the Visconti, Braccio da Montone and Pirro Tomacelli dominions. Arose in the middle of the thirteenth century, along with Todi, against the excessive power of the Popes, Spoleto was retaken by the papal armies commanded by Giuliano della Rovere and it was the Pope who sent Lucrezia Borgia in 1449 to receive homage of the city of Spoleto as Governor. It became Capital of the short-lived Department of Trasimene during the French occupation then became seat of the Church in 1814, after the Restoration of the Papal Delegation until 17 September 1860, when troops of General Brignone, after defeating the Papal Guard, united Spoleto to the Italian State.

HISTORICAL FIGURES

There are very many distinguished figures in which the city was the birthplace of, among these, the playwright and librarian of the Roman Emperor Augustus, Gaius Melisso (I century B.C.), The doctor Pierleone Leoni (XV cent.), The scholar Gregory Spoleto (who lived between the XV-XVI sec.), the soldier of fortune Cecili, called Saccoccio (who lived between the fifteenth and sixteenth century), the singer Loreto Vittori (1588-1670), Pope Leo XII (1760-1829 ), the historian Achille Sansi (1822-1891), the dialect poet Fernando Leonardi (1871-1918), the musician Alessandro Onofri (1884-1923), the sculptor Leoncillo (1915-1968) and the journalist Walter Tobagi (XX century) .

WHAT TO SEE

The city, beautiful and austere, even today preserves intact its medieval structure whose center is located directly on what it had already hosted as a pre-Roman settlement. Wandering through its ancient streets or along its ancient walls it is easy to see this architectural overlay (Roman-medieval-fifteenth century) and along with a crescendo of palaces, churches, fortifications, theaters and amphitheatres, it gives us a dense historical, artistic and cultural heritage that has created Spoleto, (beyond the important cultural events that take place here and which will be discussed later). It is one of the most interesting centers and a the most popular destination in Umbria. The tour can begin entering the city from Porta Garibaldi and parking the car in the square where there is also a bus stop for buses to the city center. Shortly before the Porta Garibaldi on the right, outside the walls, stands the Roman Bridge or so-called Sanguinano, built in the first century B.C. with three arches (one of which is underground), which is a good example of brilliant Roman construction. Returning from Porta Garibaldi, turning left, we see the ruins of the Roman Empire of the first century, In the original building there are still remains of some of the arches which open up to what was to be the main access gate and one of the doors of the Cavea auditorium (degrading stairway on which the public sat when attending a spectacle), now incorporated in the courtyard of the Military barracks of Severus Minervio. The building was partly dismantled in the fourteenth century by order of Cardinal Albornoz to retrieve material for the construction of the fortress, also in the same area was built the church of St. Gregory Minor and two monasteries now used as barracks. Returning to Piazza Garibaldi, in the immediate vicinity, we see the church of San Gregorio Maggiore, 1079, the construction of which was completed in the twelfth century. And restored several times towards the end of 1970, the Romanesque facade features a portico from the sixteenth century, a mullioned window and on the sides, two recesses depicting saints. To the right side of the tower of the eleventh-twelfth century, there is a bell, augmented in the fifteenth century. The interior has a nave and two aisles, frescos from the twelfth to the fifteenth century, a precious tabernacle attributed to Benedetto da Rovezzano, a painting of the Conca and a huge crypt under the Sanctuary. Continuing along Corso Garibaldi and coming to via Cecili we can see a long stretch of the ancient wall. Here, still well preserved, is the line of which is almost all recognizable around the old medieval center. Its technique in masonry corresponds to the different periods of construction: the oldest parts, as old as the city, dating back to the sixth century B.C., the squared block, of the third century B.C., and finally, the elongated block, parallelpiped, is of the first century B.C. In the vicinity of this wall stands the church of St. Nicholas with a beautiful apse with high mullioned windows, destroyed by fire in 1849 and restored in 1974, and is currently used for cultural events. The Church of Mercy, with two portals from the fourteenth century, is located under the church of Saint Nicholas. From via Cecili you get to the Torre del’Olio Square where the Torre del'Olio stands of the thirteenth century and is one of the best preserved of the city. Following the path Pierleonis, we arrive in Piazza San Domenico, where the church of San Domenico stands. A Gothic building of the late thirteenth century, which houses an altarpiece by Giovanni Lanfranco inside and frescos of the fifteenth century, of the Umbrian school. Continuing on, uphill, we find overlooking the Collicola Square the Collicola Palace, of the eighteenth century by the architect Sebastiano Cipriani and climbing up the staircase, which is located in front of the palace, you get to the former church of San Lorenzo. A Romanesque styled Church, recently restored and used for cultural performances. Returning to the Collicola Square, continuing along Via Vittori and turning at Via Sant'Agata, we arrive at the Roman Theatre, of the first century A.D., the semicircle of the Cavea auditorium is still visible. The stage space, no longer exists, it is occupied by the medieval monastic complex of St. Agatha, while the marble floor of the orchestra is almost entirely its original. To access the theater you pass by a curved path, barrel-vaulted, accessible from Via delle Terme, along the perimeter of the Hotel dei Duchi. A good example of this construction can be seen from above Freedom Square (Piazza della Libertà): a façade with arches, formerly part of the stables of the seventeenth century Palazzo Ancaiani. Going up to the Market Square,(Piazza del Mercato), you can see a wall fountain from the eighteenth century. Designed and built by Constantine Fiaschetti where the Church of San Donato was erected and enriched by four coats of arms dating back to the seventeenth century and placed on top of the Church, in honor of Pope Urban VIII. It was custom-designed by Maderno. From this square we move via the Arch of Drusus in the middle where the Arch of Drusus Minor of 23 A.D. is located, also called Germanicus, son of Drusus Major, brother of Augustus. The remnants, partially underground, consist of a large arch on pillars adorned with decorated pilasters. In the vicinity was unearthed a Roman temple that was part of the Forum, and the temple grounds, (large rectangular cell in which a column is visible) arose early in Christian church. The difference in height between the floor of the court and the church, allowed the realization of the Crypt of Sant'lsacco (which in fact rests on the floor of the Roman Forum) built in the seventh century and which houses frescos from the X and XI century. Nearby is the church of Saint Ansano connected with the crypt of Saint Isacco, built in the Middle Ages on the ruins of the Roman temple. Returning to Piazza del Mercato, built on the ancient Roman Forum, we take a staircase that leads to the town square, here we find the remains of a Roman house of the I century A.D. distinctive, because, unlike the construction of the age of the First Empire, it has a peristyle open to the left side, thus to see the triclinium with raised and mosaic floors with geometric designs in black and white. Going up the stairs you come to the Town Hall from the thirteenth century. Of the original building, completely remodeled in the eighteenth century, remains the tower with a rectangular base.. The palace is home to the Civic Art Gallery which contains paintings from the twelfth to the seventeenth century. Arriving at Via Saffi we can admire the Palazzo Mareri Vincenti, with an elegant sixteenth-century loggia, and the Church of Saint Eufemia, a Basilica built in the tenth century, enclosed in the Bishopric. It is considered among the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in Umbria. The facade, devoid of decoration, is characterized by the portal, a lancet window and a mullioned window. The interior, with columns and pilasters that divide the three aisles, have frescos of the Umbrian school of the fifteenth century, and a Poliotto from the twelfth century on the altar. But what distinguishes the Church of St. Euphemia from all the other churches of Umbria, is the presence of a matroneum inside, (a raised gallery at the side of the nave, where women sat), the only example in the region. Climbing further, we arrive at the square where the Cathedral stands, a beautiful Romanesque building of the twelfth century. Built on the site of the old Cathedral destroyed by Frederick Barbarossa in 1155, and finished at the end of the thirteenth century. On the front, a beautiful portal preceded by a portico with five arches, the work of A. Barocci and Pippo of Antonio Fiorentino who worked there from 1491 to 1504. Above the portico, five rosettes and, in the area of the triangular pediment, the center is a mosaic executed by Solsterno, signed and dated in 1207. To the left of the facade, the great bell tower, built with recycled Roman, early Christian and Medieval materials, from the twelfth century. The interior was renovated by Arrigucci in the Baroque period and completed in the 1700’s by Valadier. It has three naves, with a Latin cross design, and the floor of the nave is made in geometric mosaics (original twelfth century), and holds numerous works of art: on the counter, a bust of Pope Urban VIII by Bernini; in the chapel of Bishop Constantine Eroli, the portal to the outside of Valadier and Pinturicchio's frescoes depicting the "Pietà", the '"Eternal" and "Madonna and Child with Saints. " There is also a funerary monument by Filippo Lippi, edited by his son Filippino, with inscription by Poliziano (on the right side of the transept). Also a giant fresco from 1467 to 1469, situated on the vault of the Apse, by Filippo Lippi, of his son, Fra 'Diamante and Pier Matteo d'Amelia and a painting by Annibale Carracci with the "Virgin and Child between the Saints. Francis and Dorothy". On the right transept of the altar, a crucifix on parchment and wood by Alberto Sozio in 1187 and a polychrome wooden statue of the Madonna of the 1300’s. Exiting from the Duomo, passing over the staircase leading down to the Piazza della Signoria, is the church of the Manna d'Oro. An octagonal building erected in 1527 by vote, after the "Taking of Rome". Next to it, stands the Teatro Caio Melisso of the eighteenth century., ravaged by fire and rebuilt in 1880 by Giovanni Montiroli. Restored in 1958 by Roberto De Luca. In front of the theater, the ancient Palazzo Arroni-Rancani (XVI century), with graffit remains on the facade and the Museum of Textiles and Costume. Next to the theater stands the fourteenth-century Palazzo della Signoria. Arriving in Piazza Campello, where there is the Palazzo Campello (XIII century) and the former church of Saints Simon and Jude, and then taking the first street on the left to reach, on the hill of St. Elias, the mighty fortress of the Rocca overlooking Spoleto. Built starting in the year 1359 until 1370 by Pope Innocent VI and his Papal Legate, Cardinal Albornoz. It was designed by Matteo Gattaponi from Gubbio and built partly with recycled materials from the Roman Amphitheatre. The building has a rectangular design with four corner towers and two more in the middle of the long sides. Internally it is divided into two parts in which at the center, on one side stands the Cortile delle Armi (in the buildings where the armed guards dwelled) and the other side stands the Court of Honour (where the Papal Governors dwelled) surrounded by a double loggia, a real masterpiece by Gattaponi. Recently restored it is used as a multi-purpose space for cultural events. Adjacent to the Fortress, stands the Tower Bridge, from the fourteenth century, built (on a previous Roman relic) in order to bring the water to the upper part of the city. It is a superb architectural example which can be attributed to Gattaponi. It consists of ten arches on pillars, two of which, centrally placed, and with wires inside and with entrance doors, that look like towers. The bridge, which connects the castle with Monte Luco, the bridgehead placed by that side, a small fort called Fort Mills, because for a long time it was used, in fact, as a mill. Back in town, in Mentone Square, it is worth seeing the church of San Filippo of 1640, built from a design by Lorenzo Scelli from Spoleto. It was recently restored, and contains within it a painting "Holy Family" by Sebastiano Conca and a "Bust of St. Philip dell'Algardi. While near Via Mazzini, the new theater: Teatro Nuovo Gian Carlo Menotti, built in 1864 on the site of the Church of Sant'Andrea (which was at that time constructed on the ruins of the Roman baths), in neo-classical style), and was the work of Irenaeus Aleandri which houses a museum of memorabilia and major theatrical representations of the "Festival of Two Worlds." On the train station square stands a large modern sculpture in iron: the Teodelapio, made by the great American sculptor Alexander Calder who donated it in 1962 to the city of Spoleto during the "Festival of Two Worlds."

WHAT TO SEE NEARBY

Leaving from Porta Garibaldi and crossing the Via Flaminia, along the path of the Basilica of San Salvatore, which leads us to the church of the same name. Built in the fourth century, although it has undergone many alterations, it is one of the most interesting early Christian monuments. On the facade remains of plaster on the walls suggest that the whole wall was covered following the orders of architecture and the cornice, mid-height, provided support to four pilasters with capitals that supported the tympanum and inside the corner columns are still distinguishable as the coverage, the apse and a colonnade that supports the trabeation (together from the main beam)are also distinguishable. Going back and following the road that veers to the left, is the Church of St. Pontian. A Romanesque building from the twelfth century, with the facade topped by a large tympanum from the fourteenth century. The interior dates back to the late fourteenth-fifteenth century, allegedly by Valadier. In the Crypt, three ancient sarcophaguses and frescos from the XIV-XV century. Taking the Via Flaminia, following directions to Rome, just outside the city of Spoleto on the left at the beginning of the road is Monteluco. The Church of San Pietro is immersed in a green setting. The church is a Romanesque building from the thirteenth century. It was constructed on a building previously built in its time on a necropolis. A seventeenth-century staircase precedes the beautiful facade embellished with numerous reliefs. Continuing towards the hamlet of Monteluco (804 m above sea level), we first encounter the Hermitage of Grace, recovered from a private ciizen and a careful restoration was made and from the terrace you can admire a splendid panorama. Then we encounter the church and convent of San Francesco, which has preserved its ancient Franciscan charm. The ancient church of San Giuliano of the twelfth century, is built on the ruins of a church from the sixth century. It shows a partly ruined facade dominated by a massive bell and with the front portal and the ornaments can certainly be refered to the early Christian period. The interior has three naves and a raisedof sanctuary and a crypt. In the hamlet of Monteluco, with its beautiful landscapes, there is intense and dense vegetation and has become a popular tourist destination. Monteluco is equipped for seasonal stays with an abundance lodging facilities which allows visitors to take many excursions.

ECONOMY

Tourism, the handcraft industry and agriculture commercialism, strongly sustained in recent years the commerce and the service sector of Spoleto and are the solid foundation upon which sits the economy of Spoleto. The handcraft industry has a strong tradition in the production of fabrics, lace and embroidery. The agricultural farm, which is another small jewel of the area, boasts selections of pigs and sheep bred in the wild and precious selection of cattle which produce the famous Chianina breed. In agriculture with its production of vegetables and fodder is produced alongside an excellent quality and highly renowned olive oil and valuable truffles. The latter, is also the foundation of the family Brama (present day Tartufi del Castello) already in existence from the days when Spoleto was the only city of reference in Italy in which merchants (mainly French) could find the best quality of this precious tuber. In the present and in the past, with these two pearls (the olive and the truffle), that grow in the territory of Spoleto continues a centuries-old tradition and is capable of supporting many businesses. The small and medium industries with companies operating in the metal industry, textile, graphic, building materials and processing of agricultural products, is a appropriately flanked to the local economy. But the voice more representative of the economic sector of Spoleto is without a doubt the tourist sector. Spoleto is today one of the main tourist centers of Umbria, recognized internationally, every year tourism flows consistently more and more. The reasons that led to this success can be traced back to the great historical and artistic, cultural heritage, and the natural habitat offered by the city and its territory. There is an excellent and efficient network of restaurants and tourist accommodations and last but not least, a number of important cultural events or otherwise, that take place throughout the year.