Umbria - culture

Umbria echoes of the Middle Ages. In the region's capital, Perugia, you will find Romanesque churches, civic palaces, and endless medieval nooks and crannies. The town of Spoleto, blends medieval monuments with Roman remains and some of Italy's oldest churches. In Orvieto, Etruscan remains abound. One of Italy's finest Romanesqu Gothic cathedrals perches on a high plateau just above Orvieto. The smaller towns of Gubbio, Montefalco and Todi also have a strong influence marked by the Middle Ages.

Umbria also is known for its rustic countryside, medieval villages, castles, and monasteries. Assisi is one of Umbria's most famous towns. At Assissi, the burial place of St. Francis (known as the Basilica di San Francesco) was begun in 1228. Over the next century its Upper and Lower Churches were decorated by famed artists, among them Giotto, whose frescoes on the Life of St. Francis are some of the most renowned frescoes in all of Italy.

There are many native craftsmen in the region. Gubbio's craftsmen still turn out some of the most beautiful ceramics in Italy. These items are carefully hand painted in colourful, original floral designs. You can find many good retail outlets featuring handcrafted ceramics and pottery near Via dei Consoli. Others display and sell their wares at the many open markets scattered around the region's rural towns and villages.

Visitors here will also enjoy many cultural festivals and special events held throughout the year. The internationally acclaimed Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds) and the Umbria Jazz Festival are Umbria's two most popular special events.

Also of interest is the well attended Giostra della Quintana. Held here in June, this festival is another must attend event which stems from a custom dating back to the 17th century where knights from ten rival districts of Foligno competed in highly competitive jousting matches. The event is accompanied by plays performed in 300 year old Umbrian dialect and a historic cooking competition. There are other games, a fair, parades, outdoor taverns, and fabulous foods from the region. In September the ten teams return to the field for a rematch and, of course, another festival.

The highly acclaimed Mercato delle Gaite is held in June at Bevagna. It is a neo medieval fair involving four districts. Participants in this festival dress authentically, while street stalls sell food and drink. The Festival of San Giovenale is held during the last week April and the first week May. Originating in the Middle Ages this is pageantry is at its brightest. The event revolves around horse racing. During the festivities, the streets here are filled with flowers. The local taverns are staffed by waiters in authentic costumes, serving great platters of pasta and huge jugs of wine on big trestle tables. Festivities begin on the eve of the race with a torch lit procession in full costume. The party goes all night and into the next day.

We offer a great selection of luxury rental accommodation including houses, villas, cabins and apartments. Our rentals feature saunas, hot tubs, swimming pools and a top quality maid service for an additional fee.