If you are visiting Perugia and have indulged in your share of chocolate and architecture you may want to make a trip to Bastia Umbra, a town of about 20,000. Here you will find ruins dating back to the Romans, beautiful churches, charming streets and more medieval architecture than you can shake a stick at.
I was fortunate enough to be invited out on a trip with an Italian friend. And I'm glad I went. It was autumn and he wanted to show me Isola Maggiore. The island is one the three islands inside Lago Trasimeno, Italy's fourth largest lake situated just inside Umbria close to Tuscany. Whilst the sun warms us, it's incredibly hard to imagine that this lake had frozen over in February 1929 and again thirty four years later in February 1963!
The Castello di Petroia is located on a soaring hill and is surrounded by defensive walls and the Umbrian mountains. The majestic medieval castle, which overlooks the beautiful Chiascio valley, is located near the historical town of Gubbio and has now been made into a luxurious hotel.
Those visiting the town of Orvieto will find the historical fortress of Fontezza dell'Albornoz on the left side of the Piazza Cahen. The castle was founded by Spanish Cardinal Albornoz, under the orders of Pope Innocent VI and from the designs of Ugolino di Montemarte, at a site that once held an Etruscan temple and was meant to be a safe base for the Church in the area.
Umbria is a small region in Italy, made up of mountains, valleys, and smaller towns rather than large cities. Picturesque and known for its rural beauty, the region--which boasts a population of less than 1 million--offers many small towns and villages to visit and shop in.
Città di Castello is a city located in north Umbria, in the province of Perugia. The town's location in the valley of the Tiber River, and surrounded by the Apennines, is picturesque to say the least. When visiting Città di Castello one can't help but imagine how the town of all-brick buildings would have looked at the time of the town's founding, which is thought to date back to the Iron Age and the Etruscans.
The town of Narni is a part of the Umbria region and is located on a stunning limestone cliff overlooking the Black River. Rocca Albornoz is one of the town's most notable landmarks. Built in the 14th century the Rocca Albornoz was originally a military structure meant to protect the territory from invasions and is now used for various exhibitions and for various conferences.
Castello del Leone means the Fortress of Lion in Italian. The castle is located in the town of Castiglione del Lago and had been built by Emperor Frederick II. Castiglione del Lago is located in the Perugia province in the region of Umbria. The town is located on the southwestern side of Lake Trasimeno. The town is located 59 km from Orvieto, 21 km from Chiusi and 56 km from Arezzo while Crotona is 21 km and Perugia is located 47 km from the town.
The historic city of Assisi is dominated by two large medieval castles. The larger castle is known as Rocca Maggiore which is an imposing bastion that looms over the hill town, intimidating potential invaders. The castle as seen today is mainly the work of Cardinal Albornoz, with several later additions by Popes Pius II and Paul III.
Assisi's Rocca Maggiore dominates the entire skyline with its impressive battlements and it is quite popular with visiting tourists.
The Todi Castle is located in the town of Todi in the region of Umbria. The castle is also known as Capecchio and is located on top of a hill 10 miles from the town of Todi, close to Terni. The castle was originally built in the year 1100 AD as a watch tower and over the centuries it evolved into a full sized castle.
If visiting Perugia be sure to visit Rocca Paolina, which may not be the first castle to be built in the city, but is certainly one of the most important. Built in 1373 after Cardinal Aegidius Albornoz wrested control of Umbria and Tuscia from Pope Innocent VI, it was meant as a testament to the cardinal's prowess and power.
Rocca Flea, or the Flea Fortress, is a fortified castle located in the town of Gualdo Tadino in the region of Umbria in central Italy. The castle is located on the upper part of the same hill as the town itself. The castle dates back to the reconstruction of the town in 1237 and is thought to have been built during the Lombard times.
Lake Trasimeno is also known as Lake Thrasimene or Trasimene. Located south of the River Po, the lake covers an area of 128 sq km which is only slightly less than Lake Como. The River Tiber flows a few kilometers away from Trasimeno, but the two are separated by hills. No other major lakes flow in or out of Trasimeno and the level of its water can fluctuate wildly depending on the amount of rainfall and the water utilized by nearby towns.
The town of Assisi will forever be associated with its most famous son, Saint Francis, the founder of the Franciscan order. A town located in the Umbria region of Italy in the province of Perugia, Assisi is also the birthplace of St. Clare and St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. The town's vast collection of medieval art and famous buildings, including the great Basilica di San Francesco, has ensured its inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage List and makes it a must-see for travellers.
Spoleto is an ancient town located in the Umbria region of Italy, in the province of Perugia. The town is located at the foot of the Apennine hills and is a perfect stop for people visiting nearby Trevi, Terni and Perugia.
The earliest mention of Spoleto on record is the establishment of a colony in the area in 241 BC. In ancient times Spoleto was considered a strategic geographical location since it is surrounded by mountains and located in a large valley. The ancient city walls, some of which can still be seen today, were built in the 5th century BC around the small Umbrian settlements to protect the inhabitants.
Orvieto is a comune and town located in the Umbria region of Italy. The town is located on top of a flat butte which is made from volcanic tuffa stone. The location of the town is one of the most beautiful sites in Europe as it rises from the top of a vertical cliff, surrounded by various medieval walls.
The city has been populated since the Etruscan times and it was a major hub during the time the Etruscans lived in the area. Various artifacts and objects have been found in the region dating back to the Etruscan times which have now been kept in the archeological museum of the town.
Bike tours around the Central Italy regions of Tuscany and Umbria can be very exciting and adventurous way of exploring the scenic landscape this place is famous for. Moreover, it gives an opportunity to find interesting places on your own and even stop at some nice cafes and restaurants on the way to enjoy some amazing food. Both Tuscany and Umbria have a fascinating history and culture and a cycling journey around these places can be very challenging and rewarding at the same time.
Assisi is a comune and town located in the Umbria region in Italy in the province of Perugia. The town is located on the west of Monte Subasio and is mainly famous as the birth place of St. Francis. St. Francis had started the Franciscan religious order in Assisi in 1208. St. Clare was also born in the town.
Around 1000BC several Umbrians settled in the Tiber Valley and in the region where Assisi is now located. These settlements were small and fortified and were later taken over in 450 BC by the Etruscans. The Romans came in next and several Roman remains can still be found in the town today.
Terni is located in the Umbria region of Italy. Located in the plains of the Nera River, the town is quite ancient. It is believed that the city was first founded in 7th century BC by the Sabini. Terni was later conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. There are still a few Roman ruins in the city; during their rule the Romans had built quite a lot of buildings in the area including an amphitheater.
Terni is mainly an important industrial city with quite a lot of heavy industries being established here during the industrial age and which still exist here today.
