Spoleto

Nestled in the Umbrian hills, Spoleto is a treasure trove where Roman rigor meets Lombard elegance and medieval art. A journey through timeless alleys and monumental settings that, even today, enchant the world thanks to its renowned Festival.

Spoleto

What to see in Spoleto

Vista frontale della facciata Duomo di Spoleto

The Cathedral of Spoleto

The Cathedral during the Centuries Surely outstanding in Spoleto is the Annunciation Church, that is also the Cathedral. A building so powerful in its beauty that will impress all
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Vista panoramica del Ponte delle Torri. Guardando da Monteluco si vedono, incorniciati dalle fronde della vegetazione, il Ponte delle Torri e la Rocca di Albornoz in cima a Colle Sant'Elia.

The Bridge of Towers

The Bridge of Towers as Was Seen by Goethe In September 1786, the great German poet, J. W. Goethe (1749 - 1832), left for a journey to the discovery of Italy, that would last
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Explore the city

Discover Spoleto

A Crossroads of Peoples: From the Origins to the Lombard Duchy

Spoleto boasts a thousand-year history spanning eras of great splendor, leaving behind a unique monumental legacy. Its origins date back to pre-Roman times as a center of the Umbrians, before becoming a loyal Latin colony in 241 BC, famous for having repelled Hannibal's advance after the Battle of Trasimene. Its true political apogee, however, occurred in the Middle Ages, when it became the capital of the powerful Duchy of Spoleto, one of the main Lombard dominions in Italy, whose influence extended across much of the center of the peninsula. Subsequently included in the territories of the Papal States, the city has maintained an important strategic and cultural role.

 

The Rocca Albornoziana: sentinel of faith and history

The city skyline is defined by the Rocca Albornoziana, the mighty fortress built on the hill overlooking the town. Dating back to 1363, it was erected under the aegis of Cardinal Albornoz with the aim of consolidating the power of the Papal States at a time when the papacy was about to return to Rome, ending the Papacy of Avignon. Having served as the residence of Spoleto's governors—among whom Lucrezia Borgia deserves mention—and even as a prison, the Rocca is now home to the National Museum of the Duchy of Spoleto and features frescoed rooms such as the famous "Camera Pinta," decorated with a rare 14th-century cycle of love and chivalry.

The Ponte delle Torri: a giant among the valleys

From the "Giro della Rocca," a pleasant panoramic walk, you can admire another formidable monument: the Ponte delle Torri. Standing 80 meters high and 230 meters long, the bridge served the dual function of an aqueduct and a link between Mount Luco and the city. Although its origins may be Roman, it took on its current form in the 14th century. Even J.W. Goethe was captivated by this architectural masterpiece, noting: "The ten arches that span the entire valley, built of brick, have stood firm through the centuries."

 

Walking through Time: The Urban Fabric and Roman Remains

Few cities are as pleasant to explore on foot as Spoleto. Wandering through its alleys and small squares, you pass through an urban fabric of rare beauty, an example of unity between different styles and a variety of forms. Medieval structures overlap with the ancient layout, evidenced by the 1st-century BC Roman Theater, the Arch of Drusus, and the Arch of Monterone, built along the urban route of the Via Flaminia. The Church of Sant'Ansano was built on the ruins of a pagan temple, still recognizable today by observing the building, while the Market Square occupies part of the ancient Forum.

The Cathedral and the Festival: a stage for universal art

From the "Giro della Rocca," a pleasant panoramic walk, you can admire another formidable monument: the Ponte delle Torri (Ponte of the Towers). Standing 80 meters high and 230 meters long, the bridge served the dual function of an aqueduct and a link between Mount Luco and the city. Although its origins may be Roman, it took on its current form in the 14th century. Even J.W. Goethe was captivated by this architectural masterpiece, noting: "The ten arches that span the entire valley, built of brick, have stood firm through the centuries."

 

Sacred oases and flavors of the land: between the Clitunno Springs and the table

A short distance from the city, the Clitunno Springs are a natural and historical oasis of great value. Here, the Romans worshipped Jupiter Clitunno and immersed their oxen in the sacred waters, as sung by the Latin poets Pliny and Virgil, followed by the modern poets Byron and Carducci. Nature, cared for and cultivated for millennia, still offers abundant fruits with unmistakable flavors: extra virgin olive oil, Trebbiano Spoletino, braciole, coratella, truffle frittata, and Crescionda and Attorta, the typical local sweets.

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