The Commune of Spoleto built the Castle in 1217 by the river Nera, on the preceding plant of the Rocca di Valle, an ancient Longobard Fortress. The finds that testify its origins are under the today’s Church of St. John, later decorated by the Franciscans with votive frescos. Thanks to a “secret passage” we climb the Tower Cassero, which oversees the valley’s panorama.

PROVINCE OF PERUGIA – ASSESSORSHIP FOR TOURISM

“Court Stories, power and its places: guided tours among forts, castles and palaces from the Middle Age to the Renaissance”. The Assessorship for Tourism inaugurates the third edition of the event that contributed to acquaint the History of the Communes of the Province of Perugia, through territory, architectonical beauties, the artistic patrimony, traditions and typical customs of Umbria.

Palace Vitelli alla Cannoniera takes its name from the nobles who, in 1521, ordered its construction just next to a foundry of cannons. Outside it, there is a botanical garden with rare plants, by that time one of the most important in Europe. Inside, frescos celebrating the wedding between Alessandro and Countess Paola Rossi of S. Secondo Parmense, as well as stories of great warlords, portraits and family coats of arms.

PROVINCE OF PERUGIA – ASSESSORSHIP FOR TOURISM

“Court Stories, power and its places: guided tours among forts, castles and palaces from the Middle Age to the Renaissance”. The Assessorship for Tourism inaugurates the third edition of the event that contributed to acquaint the History of the Communes of the Province of Perugia, through territory, architectonical beauties, the artistic patrimony, traditions and typical customs of Umbria.

The Palace of the “Canoniche”, dwelled in 1226 by the Trinici in order to control both the square and the Dome behind it, tells the local struggles for power in Foligno, and the leadership acquired by the family by passing from the faction “Ghibellini” to the faction “Guelfi”. On the second floor the apartments of Costanza, and in the older part, the Hall of the “Liberal Arts”, also known as “Chamber of the Roses”, due to the iconography on the walls.

PROVINCE OF PERUGIA – ASSESSORSHIP FOR TOURISM

“Court Stories, power and its places: guided tours among forts, castles and palaces from the Middle Age to the Renaissance”. The Assessorship for Tourism inaugurates the third edition of the event that contributed to acquaint the History of the Communes of the Province of Perugia, through territory, architectonical beauties, the artistic patrimony, traditions and typical customs of Umbria.

The fortress, already in the hands of Catalano Degli Atti, an ally to Pope Sisto IV Della Rovere who donated it to the nephew Jacopo, returns in the 15th century to the Commune di Todi, whose tax burden roused the rebellion of the inhabitants of Montecastello. In 1808 they added the “Teatro della Concordia”, considered to be the world’s smallest, arrived to us intact thanks to the singer Renato Ippoliti who, in 1936, saved it from the fascist’s aims.

PROVINCE OF PERUGIA – ASSESSORSHIP FOR TOURISM

“Court Stories, power and its places: guided tours among forts, castles and palaces from the Middle Age to the Renaissance”. The Assessorship for Tourism inaugurates the third edition of the event that contributed to acquaint the History of the Communes of the Province of Perugia, through territory, architectonical beauties, the artistic patrimony, traditions and typical customs of Umbria.

PROVINCE OF PERUGIA – ASSESSORSHIP FOR TOURISM

“Court Stories, power and its places: guided tours among forts, castles and palaces from the Middle Age to the Renaissance”. The Assessorship for Tourism inaugurates the third edition of the event that contributed to acquaint the History of the Communes of the Province of Perugia, through territory, architectonical beauties, the artistic patrimony, traditions and typical customs of Umbria.

The first Fortress of Assisi was destroyed by the inhabitants themselves of Assisi, who in 1198 set up a free Commune, surrounded by the ancient outer walls, still running for more than 4 km. The characteristic corbels, for repelling attacks and sieges, surmount the perimeter of the fortress. In 1459 Pope Pio II Piccolomini completed the construction of the majestic Polygonal Tower, guarding the Valley of Tescio.

PROVINCE OF PERUGIA – ASSESSORSHIP FOR TOURISM

“Court Stories, power and its places: guided tours among forts, castles and palaces from the Middle Age to the Renaissance”. The Assessorship for Tourism inaugurates the third edition of the event that contributed to acquaint the History of the Communes of the Province of Perugia, through territory, architectonical beauties, the artistic patrimony, traditions and typical customs of Umbria.

The origins of Fortress Flea date back to those of the Roman “Tadinia“, yet the first written documents date 10^th century, when the historian Jacobili described it as the residence of Count Vico Di Lupo di Foligno, and later, of other 3 Bishops-Counts. In the St. Angels’ Chapel were recently found the 14^th century Frescos of the Trinity, portrayed with three heads and censored by the Vatican for this reason in the 16^th century.

PROVINCE OF PERUGIA – ASSESSORSHIP FOR TOURISM

“Court Stories, power and its places: guided tours among forts, castles and palaces from the Middle Age to the Renaissance”. The Assessorship for Tourism inaugurates the third edition of the event that contributed to acquaint the History of the Communes of the Province of Perugia, through territory, architectonical beauties, the artistic patrimony, traditions and typical customs of Umbria.

After various captains of fortune conquered it during the 15^th century, the Castle of Castiglione del Lago, reconstructed by Frederick II of Swabia and restored many times, was contested by the aristocratic families of “Oddi” and “Baglioni”, until the Pope returned it to the City of Perugia. Inside it you may find the perfectly preserved renaissance frescos, recently attributed to Niccolò Circignani.

PROVINCE OF PERUGIA – ASSESSORSHIP FOR TOURISM

“Court Stories, power and its places: guided tours among forts, castles and palaces from the Middle Age to the Renaissance”. The Assessorship for Tourism inaugurates the third edition of the event that contributed to acquaint the History of the Communes of the Province of Perugia, through territory, architectonical beauties, the artistic patrimony, traditions and typical customs of Umbria.

Visiting Todi

The visit can start from the majestic Tempio di Santa Maria della Consolazione, situated along the main road and built from 1508 to 1607. The design was suggested by many artists such as Donato Bramante. Towards the centre, past the public gardens and Via Ciuffelli, it is possible to admire Jacopone’ s monument. Climbing up the stairs one can visit Tempio di San Fortunato, whose façade has not been finished and where Jacopone’s mortal remains lie. On the left of the church there are the Archive and the Public Library. On the right there is Piazza Pignattara It is close to the site of Liceo Classico and Linguistico, formerly a monastery where Friar Jacopone meditated on his conversion. Climbing up on the left there is a Roman tank called San Cassiano prison, because San Cassiano is thought to be imprisoned there and later killed in 304 A.D.

So one can visit Parco della Rocca ( 411 m. on the sea level) where a temple dedicated to Jove lay in Roman times. Eventually it became a stronghold. Going downhill behind the monastery there is an arch on the right: it is Porta Libera, a Roman gate belonging to the second circle of walls. Going downhill along Via SS. Filippo e Giacomo, one can reach the church Santi Filippo e Giacomo, built in 1276 and then desecrated. Going along Via L. Leonji one returns to Piazza Jacopone.

Going towards the main square one can pass by Teatro Comunale, designed by the architect Carlo Gatteschi and built in 1876, and reach Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Here the symbol of imperial power, represented by Palazzo del Popolo (1213), Palazzo del Capitano ( 1293), and Palazzo dei Priori ( 1293) and the symbol of papal power, represented by the Cathedral (11th century), superbly join together. On the second floor of the Palazzi Comunali there is the Town Museum. Under the square there are Roman tanks. On the left of the Cathedral one can admire the bishop’s building, built in 1593 by Angelo Cesi. Walking through Via Morandi one can reach Monastero delle Lucrezie, built by the Tertiary Order who lived there. Coming back to the main square, on the right of the Cathedral, a street leads to Palazzo Landi Corradi, whose portal is supposed to be made by Vignola. Close to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II there is Piazza Garibaldi, so-called thanks to the statue dedicated to Garibaldi.. Here one can admire a building belonged to the family Viviano degli Atti.
Coming down Corso Cavour on the right there is Fontana Cesia, built in 1606 by bishop Angelo Cesi. Then there is Porta Marzia which belongs to the first circle of walls. Walking along Corso Cavour a road leads to Piazza Mercato Vecchio where Nicchioni Romani lie.

A wooded road leads to San Carlo church ( formerly Sant’Ilario), which was built during the 12th century and which was thought to be the former cathedral. Nearby there is Fontana di Scarnabecco ( Scannabecco). The name derives from the podestà Scarnabecco ( Scannabecco) who finished it in 1241.

Then it is possible to visit Santa Prassede church ( XIV ) whose façade is characterised by white and red horizontal stripes. If one climbs up along Via S. Prassede it is possible to reach Piazza del Popolo; but the street on the right leads to Porta Perugina, belonging to the third circle of walls, the medieval one. Walking through Via Roma it is possible to admire the medieval Porta Catena. Then turning right along Via Santa Maria, the street leads to the church of Santa Maria in Cammuccia, an ancient Dominican monastery, dating back to 1394. Inside the church there is the beautiful wooden statue Sedes Sapientiae ( XII century). At the end of this street one can visit the church of San Giorgio, and Porta Amerina, or the so-called Porta Fratta ( or destroyed). Nearby there is the church of Santo Stefano and the small fountains of Sant’Arcangelo, belonged to the first Franciscan Monastery in Todi. Walking along the walls, to the east, one reaches Porta Romana, the medieval gate. On the inside along Via Ulpiana, there is the church dedicated to San Filippo and in front of it the church of San Nicolò ( XIV century). The street on the right of the church leads to the remains of a Roman amphitheatre and to the church of San Nicolò in Criptis, still existing since 1093.
Outside the walls there is Tempio SS. Crocefisso, built by Angelo Cesi, where there is an ancient majesty depicting the image of the crucifixion.
Going to lake Corbara, close to Santa Maria della Consolazione, a wooded road leads to the Monastery of Montesanto, formerly Monte Mascarano ( which means of the spirits), built to protect Todi from the attacks of Orvieto.

Le immagini, i testi e i marchi sono tratti dal sito www.comune.todi.pg.it a cura del Comune di Todi

L’Ordine dei Cavalieri di Malta nasce a Gerusalemme con le Crociate, per fornire un’assistenza sanitaria ai pellegrini diretti in Terra Santa. L’ edificio è costruito su un antico impianto ospedaliero a L. La parte più antica è la Cappella. Tuttora residenza estiva del Gran Maestro, è circondato da una grande fattoria, rinomata per la produzione di vino e olio.

Costruzione molto antica, sorta su una struttura di castello militare (castrum), di posizione strategica. Nel 1200 appartiene alla famiglia nobiliare De’ Montefrondoso. Successivamente l’edificio evolve in palazzo di residenza patrizia. Nel Settecento subisce nuovi importanti rifacimenti strutturali. Ottocentesche le decorazioni neoclassicheggianti, ispirate a motivi agresti di maniera. Nel boschetto “di Diana” di lecci e cipressi permane abbastanza integra l’antica chiesetta di S. Donato, vescovo e martire.

Antico palazzo di campagna sorto su un precedente insediamento di frati Cappuccini come dimora estiva familiare, e non più luogo di ritiro ascetico-religioso. Il giardino presenta una bella galleria naturale di lecci, e una folta “collina” di rose. Barocca la piccola cappella in mattoni dedicata a San Lucenzio.

Il principale motivo d’interesse dell’edificio, è dato dal fatto che è costruito sull’impianto di un imponente complesso archeologico sacrale sottostante e di un anfiteatro romano. D’età romana anche l’Oratorio di San Fedele, in pietre bianche e mattoni, piccolo tempio della Gens Flavia. Interamente ricostruita in stile nel Novecento, Villa Fidelia comprende un sontuoso giardino barocco all’italiana, con grandi aiuole a ferro di cavallo.

E’ una delle ville più interessanti della provincia di Perugia, in quanto concepita sin dall’inizio come residenza signorile fine a sé stessa, senza fattoria agricola. Non ha mai svolto, in altre parole, alcuna funzione produttiva. Si tratta di un elegante edificio del Seicento, ampiamente ristrutturato nell’Ottocento, passato di proprietrà attraverso i secoli da una famiglia aristocratica all’altra. E’ preceduto da un tempietto in stile neoclassico. All’interno, ampie sale affrescate in stile tardo rococò. Nell’ampio parco è presente un grandioso esemplare di cedro del Libano.

Castello aristocratico e splendida residenza signorile settecentesca nel contado perugino, circondata da grandiosi viali di cipressi e ippocastani, parchi e giardini, con motivi stilistici di ispirazione mediorientale.

The discrete charm of Umbria

Land of saints, warriors, castles and medieval villages, rich in sacred art and Franciscan routes, Umbria consists of mountains and hills (for the most part), of ancient and unspeakable charm and unrepeatable spirituality.
Perugia, the capital of the region (161.000 inhabitants), is rich in history and monuments. Besides the University for foreigners, the city has one of the most ancient Academies in Italy. Terni, Foligno (a rich business centre), Spoleto (Festival dei due Mondi), Gubbio, Assisi (homeland of Saint Francis e Saint Clare, patrons of Italy) and Orvieto, are the other important cities in the region.
The origins of Umbria date back to the Paleolithic. The Umbrians and the Etruscans were the first to settle in the Protohistoric period. Terni was founded in 672 BC, and it was conquered by the Romans in 295 (battle of Sentinum). The Middle Ages were a period of violent struggles between the Ostrogoths and the Byzantines, the Church and the Empire, Guelphs and Ghibellines. Umbrian cities, protected by imposing and sturdy walls, often fought each other, and that is why the region has become a collection of countless dialects that remain incomprehensible. Between the XIV and XVIII centuries Umbria was annexed to the Papal States. Then, after the Napoleon experience, it became part of the Reign of Italy (1860).

The multitude of abbeys, Benedictine and Franciscan monasteries, Romanesque churches and Gothic cathedrals, make it a profoundly religious region, rich in asceticism and mysticism, which are perhaps the most fascinating aspects of Umbria. Besides Francis and Claire, other important figures were Saint Benedict of Nursia, Saint Rita of Cascia, Jacopone da Todi. A past that is still considered a very vivid and topical cultural heritage, and fosters various events: music festivals like Umbria jazz, stage shows, huge crafts fairs, tourism, agriculture and folklore.

After the “war of salt”, with the rebelling inhabitants of Perugia surrendering to the Pope, Antonio da S.Gallo “the Young” fortified in 1540 the ancient Palace of Braccio Baglioni. Paolo III Farnese requisitioned the plans and enriched it with the ultimate inventions of military engineering. On the contrary, the Port Marzia dates back to the 3^rd century B.C.: it is a valuable Etruscan find surmounted by an arcade consisting of the statues of Tinia (Jupiter), Castor and Pollux.

PROVINCE OF PERUGIA – ASSESSORSHIP FOR TOURISM

“Court Stories, power and its places: guided tours among forts, castles and palaces from the Middle Age to the Renaissance”. The Assessorship for Tourism inaugurates the third edition of the event that contributed to acquaint the History of the Communes of the Province of Perugia, through territory, architectonical beauties, the artistic patrimony, traditions and typical customs of Umbria.