Everchanging, untouched landscapes in the green of winding valleys make Umbria a region that will never fail to amaze. At the heart of the boot, it is the only region with no coastline. The charm of Umbria derives from its fusion of art, nature, peace and calm, the inspirations behind its various localities that comprise Renaissance masterpieces and small Medieval towns embedded in the hills.
PERUGIA With its vibrant cultural center, two universities and internationally-influential expos, Perugia is a great draw for tourists that also offers a cosmopolitan atmosphere. In this area visitors will have the chance to enjoy an atmosphere of bygone times, among the medieval paths, the palaces, the castles and the fortresses of charming villages and will probably feel a strong impulse to come back one day. Located in the centre of Italy, the Province of Perugia is Umbria’s largest, covering two-thirds of the whole region.
This province is home to the largest lake in central Italy, Lake Trasimeno, which has three islands called Polvese, Maggiore and Minore, and two headlands. The landscape is characterised by the relaxing intense green of the vegetation, and everything, from the villages overlooking the lake to the museums, its continuing traditions to its local products, all remind us of its past. Not only art and nature, but also a touch of mysticism adds something special to each route or path in this region.The Province of Perugia hosts events, such as Eurochocolate where chocolate, in all its varied forms is the rightful protagonist, and Umbria Jazz, the jazz music festival that every year gathers together the most important artists of the jazz world.
In Spoleto, a picturesque town that boasts a thousand-year-old history, still preserves images from the past in its Medieval and Renaissance architecture, the Festival dei due Mondi immerses spectators in the noble arts of music, dance, theatre, and literature against the wonderful scenery the town has to offer.
Amongst the festivals and popular traditions particularly worthy of attention are: the Festival of the Ceri in Gubbio, the oldest village in Umbria that reached its full splendor in the Middle Ages, where the protagonists are three heavy candles carried in procession to the Basilica of San Ubaldo; and the Cross-Bow Palio held in Gubbio, a contest between the Gubbio crossbowmen and their Tuscan counterparts from Sansepolcro.
TERNI An area which has been kept unspoiled, where nature and human activities interact harmoniously. The area surrounding Terni is rich in woods and mountains, hills and olivegroves, nature reserves along the Tiber river, charming castles, guard towers and ancient villages. No wonder that Saint Francis wrote here his masterpiece the Canticle of Canticles. Terni is known as the “city oflovers”, thanks to Saint Valentine’s remains kept in the Basilica dedicated to him. He is also the local Patron Saint.
Also a must see are the gothicchurch of Saint Francis and the archaeological sites such as the ones of the Fausto Amphitheatre (dating back to 32 B.C.) inside the Urban park “La passeggiata” and the remains of the ancient walls.
Not to be missed are Marmore’s Falls, formed over the centuries, by travertine deposits.
Between art and spirituality, a visit to the Medieval town of Assisi is essential.
Art. courtesy of italia.it
Pics courtesy of travel adventure every where
