UMBRIA TRAVEL DIRECTORY

Città di Castello:

Città di Castello is the main town in northern Umbria. During the XV and XVI centuries, the ruling Vitelli family gave an elegant character to its historical centre by building several Renaissance mansions and commissioning important artworks by famous artists. The many museums contain a surpisingly rich artistic activity and we advise to visit at least one of these. Home town of Alberto Burri, one of Italy's most famous contemporary artists, Città di Castello remembers his production in two museums dedicated to and set up by the artist himself. If you are interested in a package including Città di Castello, write me

Cascia:

The origins of Cascia dateback to Roman times. However, it is between the 14th and 15th century that Cascia was illuminated by the presence of its most illustrious personage, Saint Rita, the nun that rendered Cascia famous all over the world. Nowadays this Saint, who is known to grant wishes, is venerated in the Sanctuary which has been dedicated to her memory. Besides its medieval buildings and famous churches, Cascia is also well known for its beautiful surroundings, perfect for those who want to have a full immersion in an uncontaminated nature. If you are interested in a package including Clitunno spring, write me

Castiglione del Lago:

Set on a promontory overlooking the Lake Trasimeno, Castiglione del Lago still keeps its original 13th century medieval structure with its well preserved city walls and fortress built by the German emperor Frederick II. Its main attraction is the famous Della Corgna Palace, a 16th century building planned by Gian Galeazzo Alessi and frescoed by Niccolò Circignani (known as “il Pomarancio”), which is linked to the medieval Fortress (known as the Lion Fortress) by a corridor…From the fortress, you will enjoy one of the most astonishing views of Lake Trasimeno!
These are the tours including the visit of Castiglione del lago:
2 days in the Natural Umbria
4 days in the Natural Umbria

Città della Pieve:

Situated on the border between Tuscany and Umbria, on a hill-top between the Valdichiana and Lake Trasimeno, Città della Pieve is built with the local red brick, that gives it a golden hue particularly at sunset. The use of the brick goes back to the beginning of the 13th century and shows the bond with the town of Siena. Città della Pieve is mainly famous as the birthplace of the Renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci, called Perugino, master of Raphael, who left some of his major works in several buildings of town, such as the amazing fresco of the Adoration of the Magi. The elegant centre, the 16th century Della Corgna Palace and the cathedral complete the visit. If you are interested in a package including a tour in Citta della Pieve, write me

Clitunno spring:

These springs are the main attraction of the naturalistic landscape of Umbria. They are underneath springs that run from Spoleto to Foligno and they feed the river Clitunno. Their suggestive appearance, with a vegetation which surround the riverside and reflect on the crystalline water of the river, gives to this place intensive colours. This place has been inspiration for many writers and artists. In the past people believe that in these waters the god Clitunno lived. Once there were some temples in this area, but they are irremediably lost. Only one little temple survived, in where there are ancient frescoes. The emperor Caligula came here to question the oracle, and it seems that mysterious and ancient religious rites took place here. So these springs have great naturalistic and historical importance. If you are interested in a package including Clitunno spring, write me

Corciano:

Dominated by its impressive ancient castle, surrounded by a totally unique and special atmosphere, certainly worthy to be lived and appreciated in all its beauty, the small town of Corciano in Umbria, in the province of Perugia, is a wonderful village, worthy of being among the most fascinating and appealing towns that the territories of Italy center can offer. The country hosts the Town Hall, dating back to the sixteenth century, the Villa Baldeschi, residence of the Dukes Corgna, the Palace of the Captain and the Palazzo della Mercanzia, not to forget the Palazzo dei Priori and the Convent of St. Augustine. The village is located just a few miles from Perugia, and can boast a great closeness with the fantastic Lake Trasimeno, with natural views of deep interest; this Umbrian center was built on top of a small hill, and it appears surrounded by the distant Monte Amiata and Monte Acuto. The birth of the town of Corciano dates back to Etruscan times; subsequently, during the medieval period, control of the ancient village was obtained by Perugia, to end with the Renaissance, which was certainly flourishing for the expansion part of the fortified walls. The ancient architecture and artistic works are featured as a major good for the town of Corciano, protected by alleys between the historic section of the city are the Church of Sant'Agostino, built in the fourteenth century, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, a splendid medieval building, Church of St. Francis, whose construction dates back to the thirteenth century, and Church of San Pietro di Taverna, just outside the town. Built in the territories to the north of Umbria, the town of Corciano represents one of the areas of greatest beauty of the center Italy, showing how a small trove of ancient art and valuable achievements, retaining the ability to combine and mix together the extraordinary attractiveness of world natural artistic ones. The tour in Corciano is included in the 4 days Christmas cooking holiday

Corpus Domini - Infiorata

The Feast of Corpus Christi or Corpus Domini is 60 days after Easter. During this feast Many umbrian towns hold an infiorata, flower art festival. Flower petals are used to create amazing works of art in the streets or in abbeys, a really beautiful sight. In some places, the infiorata is a simple flower-petal design in front of the church. At a more elaborate infiorata several different tapestries are created, each with a different picture, but often centered around a theme. To create the picture, the design is first sketched in chalk on the pavement. Soil is usually used to outline the design and then it's filled in with thousands of petals and seeds, much like the making of mosaics or tapestries (but with different materials). The entire process takes two or three days to complete. Often a religious procession takes place on the flower carpets after there are completed. You can see the Infiorata in Spello joining to the Tour Corpus domini Spello June 2012

Corsa dei ceri - Gubbio

Gubbio is home to the Corsa dei Ceri, a run held every year on 15th May, in which three teams, devoted to S. Ubaldo (the patron saint of Gubbio), S. Giorgio, and S. Antonio, run through throngs of cheering supporters (clad in the distinctive colours of yellow, blue and black, with white trousers and red belts and neckbands), up much of the mountain from the main square in front of the Palazzo dei Consoli to the basilica of S. Ubaldo, each team carrying a statue of their saint mounted on a wooden octagonal prism, similar to an hour-glass shape 4 metres tall and weighing about 280 kilograms. The race has strong devotional, civic, and historical overtones and is one of the best-known folklore manifestations in Italy; the Ceri were chosen as the heraldic emblem on the coat of arms of Umbria as a modern administrative region. If you are interested in a package including Corsa dei ceri, write me