In the heart of Italy lies Umbria, a small region to discover! Although not bathed by the sea, it offers a very interesting panorama that ranges between lakes and hills, passing through highlands, cities of art and famous chocolate masters in the world.
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The villages of Umbria, in fact, are really characteristic: of Etruscan and Medieval origin, they are real masterpieces dotted with churches, bell towers, towers, castles and stone houses that make up the small urban centers.
Among the cities of Umbria that, in its hinterland, deserve special attention undoubtedly include Assisi and Perugia.
Assisi
According to Giosuè Carducci, “Assisi is a great thing, country, city and sanctuary” that contains all the characteristics of a typical Umbrian village. Throughout its history, the city has played a fundamental role, especially from the religious point of view, because of the presence of Saint Francis.
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Even today, Assisi houses churches and sacred places dedicated not only to Saint Francis, but also to Saint Clare, confirming itself as a place of worship and pilgrimage for millions of faithful around the world.
What to see in Assisi
The city of Assisi is an artistic heritage in the open air: every single building or monument, in fact, expresses history and culture and just walk through its streets to enjoy an atmosphere as mystical as magical. Here’s what to see:
Basilica of San Francesco
The first attraction not to be missed in Assisi is the Basilica di San Francesco, which stands on top of a hill from which to admire the surrounding landscape. Built following the death of the saint, its realization was attended by illustrious artists such as Cimabue, Giotto and the Lorenzetti.
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Basilica of Santa Chiara
The Basilica of Santa Chiara is dedicated to the other prominent religious figure who accompanies that of Saint Francis. Built shortly after his death, it was consecrated in 1265.
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Temple of Minerva
Among the historical monuments in Assisi is the Temple of Minerva, of Roman times, known today as the Church of Santa Maria. Used in the past as a prison, seat of the city council and home, today it is a unique building thanks to its 6 spectacular columns.
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Piazza del Comune
The Piazza del Comune is the hub of Assisi: here are some of the most important buildings, such as the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, the Palazzo dei Priori and the Torre del Popolo. The latter, together with the Temple of Minerva, is among the undisputed symbols of the city.
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Rocca Maggiore
To get the best view of Assisi you have to climb the Rocca Maggiore, a fortress built over 800 years ago by Frederick Barbarossa. Today, inside, it hosts many exhibitions of historical character.
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Perugia
A city of Etruscan origin, Perugia has a fascinating history behind it: after the fall of the Roman Empire it was invaded by barbarians and destroyed by the Goths, only to be conquered by the Byzantines. Starting from the eighth century, it passed into the hands of the Church and became a free Commune in the year 1000.
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After a long series of internal struggles, Perugia lost all form of freedom and autonomy, only to be merged with the Kingdom of Italy in 1860. Today it is a very popular destination for all those who want to enjoy a beautiful landscape and take a trip outside the city in the name of art and culture.
What to see in Perugia
Perugia, beautiful and fascinating, hides many places to discover with enthusiasm. Here are the main ones:
Piazza IV Novembre
The main tourist attractions of Perugia are concentrated in its historic center, in particular in Piazza IV Novembre: here there are the city Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Priori and the Fontana Maggiore, among the most famous and known in Italy for its characteristic circular shape.
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The Cathedral of San Lorenzo, however, is in full Baroque style and inside its Cloister houses the Museo Capitolare. The Palazzo dei Priori, finally, welcomes the Board and the City Council, as well as the National Gallery of Umbria.
Complex of San Pietro
The Benedictine Complex of San Pietro, or simply Abbey of San Pietro, includes the ancient city cathedral and three cloisters that lead to the botanical garden, the medieval garden, the Gallery of Art and the library.
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Basilica of San Domenico
The Basilica of San Domenico is easily recognizable for its imposing structure and its majestic bell tower. Built in Gothic style, it has been renovated several times over the years and still today retains stained glass windows, frescoes and funeral monuments truly extraordinary.
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Torre degli Sciri
Among the numerous towers of medieval origin, the only survivor is Torre degli Sciri: built at the end of the thirteenth century and 42 meters high, you can reach its top to admire a unique view of the city.
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Church of San Michele Arcangelo
The Church of San Michele Arcangelo, also known as the Temple of Sant’Angelo, is one of the first early Christian churches in Italy. Inside there is a mystical and welcoming air despite the lack of luxurious and luxurious furnishings.
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Hypogeum of the Volumni
The oldest Etruscan funerary monument in Perugia is the Ipogeo dei Volumni, dating back to the third century B.C. and built to house the remains of the homonymous family. It is located just outside the city, but really worth a visit.
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Casa Del Cioccolato Perugina
To round off the tour of Perugia, the advice is to take a trip to the Casa del Cioccolato Perugina: it is located inside the Nestlè factory and allows you to visit both the Perugina museum, is the current factory where the most famous chocolates in the world are produced.
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Those with a sweet tooth can also book a chocolate course to take after the visit!
