Open the left menu umbria. Umbria - the green heart of Italy

Umbria - "Holy Land". Many pilgrims of the Christian world go to the center of Italy to visit the places where St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy, St. Benedict, the patron saint of Europe, left his mark, and also to bow to the relics of St. Chiara from Montefalco and St. Rita from Cassia.

The fertile nature and exquisite architecture of medieval cities, the extraordinary spiritual atmosphere that prevails in this region, create a unique sense of harmony between the past and the present.

The diversity of Umbrian art styles is partly due to the fact that in the region already in the III-I centuries. BC. a variety of peoples lived: Umbrians, Etruscans, Latins, Sabines. Lichens, Samnites, etc. But the first human settlement in these places appeared in the 11th century. BC.

Roman colonization of Umbria began in 295 BC. It should be noted that the Romans brought to the deaf mountainous areas higher civilization. The advent of Christianity is marked by the emergence of a huge number of monasteries. On the lands of Umbria, such religious orders as the Franciscan, Benedictine, and the female order of Clarisse were born. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the territory of the region was divided between the Lombards (Spoleto) and the Byzantines (Rerugia, Narni and Terni).

Starting from the XI century. many cities of Umbria received the status of a commune. The most active independent settlements were then Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto, Foligno, Terni, Gubbio and Citta di Castello. Around the same period, a great all-Italian confrontation began between the parties of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, which ended in victory for the supporters of the Pope. During the Napoleonic invasion in 1798-99. Umbria was part of the Roman Republic, and after the expulsion of the French usurper, by decision of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, it was again returned to the Papal States. The region joined the United Kingdom of Italy in 1860. The capital of the Umbria region is the city of Perugia. At first glance, the lightness and sophistication of Perugia is clearly not enough. This city, although it wears female name, but more like a stern man, confident in his strength and his mind, and therefore little concerned about his own attractiveness. Even the famous Great Fountain is the work of visiting Tuscan masters Niccolò Lizano, his adopted son Giovanni and Arnolfo di Cambio.

About the fountain in the center main square IV November, it is worth telling separately. It is no coincidence that it is recognized as one of the most beautiful fountains in the country. The inhabitants of Perugia are terribly proud of their stone miracle and closely monitor his condition. The most valuable monuments of the city are located on the same square: the palace of the Archbishops, the palace of the Old Seminary, the Loggia of Forterbraccio, the palace of the College of Notaries, the cathedral San Lorenzo and the Palace of the Priors.

Around the Piazza d'Italia concentrated most interesting objects Perugia: the fortress of Rocca Paolina, built on the ruins of the house of Baglioni, the Government Palace and the gardens of Carducci - the main green massif of the city. It is also worth seeing: the chapel of San Bernardi no, the church of San Pietro, the Etruscan arch, the churches of Sant'Angelo and San Domenico.

In Italy there is no noteworthy cities, and Perugia is no exception. Maybe it's worth looking at it through the eyes of resilient students gathering on Corso Vannucci. That's what it is favorite place gatherings of young vagantes who arrived in the capital of Umbria from different cities and countries. For them, Perugia is not gloomy medieval city, but a fun open-air student hostel.
Not far from Perugia, on the hill of Subasio, is perhaps the most famous Umbrian city - Assisi. Few places have, like Assisi, an image associated with a single person, in this case, with the person of St. Francis of Assisi. The city is visited annually by thousands of pilgrims and tourists, and Franciscan vows and poverty still remain inviolable, which is contrary to the instructions of the Roman Catholic Church.

Appearance the city was conceived in the form of parallel and perpendicular terraces surrounded by high walls, of which today only ruins remain (for example, the Umbrian Gate). During medieval reconstruction overall plan the Roman city is practically preserved. To this day, the picturesqueness of the terraces, rising in ledges to the top of the hill, fascinates.
Once at the foot of the hill there was a lake splashing, but the water left from there in the 16th century, and now this lowland is called the Spoleto Valley. The city of Spoleto placed" southern point former lake.

The city went through all the trials prepared for him by fate. Its inhabitants saw various conquerors and governors - from Atilla to Frederick Barbarossa, who in 1155 almost completely destroyed Spoleto. Among the rulers of the city was even the famous lady Lucrezia Borgia (1499). From the 13th century Spoleto was part of the state of the Holy Church, even the Representation of the Holy Pope was located here.

Most high building in the city - Al-bornz tower - built in the XIV century. like a papal fort. It was here that Lucretia Borgia lived and members of the "Red Brigades" languished in custody. To the side is the astonishing Torri Bridge, spanning the empty space that gapes between the castle and the opposite hill. The tower bridge, as its name translates from Italian, was originally built as an aqueduct (XIII century). Cathedral of the 12th century - an outstanding treasure of Spoleto. On north side stairs leading to Cathedral Square, there is a pearl of the XII century. - the chapel of Sant'Eufemia, its chaste perfection contrasts with the grandeur of the cathedral. Notice the massive stone throne behind the altar.

To the west of Spoleto, on a high hill, lies the city of Todi. One of viewing platforms The city is located on Piazza Garibaldi, offering a magical view of the green hills of Umbria. main cathedral The city stands on Victor Emmanuel II Square, it was built in the XII-XIII centuries. On the same square are the Palace of the Priors (XIII century), the Palace of the Captain (XIV century) and the Palace of the People (XIII century).
On west bank Lake Trasimene is the town of Castiglione del Lago, which translates into Russian as "Castle of the Lake". Once there were four islands on the lake, now only three are left, and the last one has turned into a coastal cape. It is on this cape that the town of Castiglione is located. I must say that the name "Castle" justifies the city, because. its main buildings are the fortress of the Lion (1247) and the Palazzo Ducale (XIV century), both buildings are connected by a long passage.

In the southwestern part of Umbria is the charming city of Orvieto, spread out on a tuff hill. This hill is very precarious, and scientists believe that the city exists on the verge of sudden extinction. The inhabitants of Orvieto itself do not really share the fears of geologists, they simply live by turning the slopes of a treacherous hill into a solid vineyard. By the way, white wine made from local berries has a special taste and is famous far beyond the borders of Umbria.

The Cathedral of Orvieto is an outstanding work of architecture worthy of a book on world history arts. This is a three-aisled building, the basis of which was built in the Romanesque style. But the main artistic merit of the cathedral is its magnificent Gothic facade, decorated with golden mosaic panels. Among the numerous places of worship of the city, one can single out a church dedicated to St. Andrew. This building (VI-XIV centuries) witnessed many important events in the history of Orvieto. The strict bell tower, built of brick in the Romanesque style, attracts attention.

On the opposite, northeastern outskirts of Umbria is the city of Gubbio. Situated on the slope of Mount Ingino, this locality For a long time it was considered inaccessible, therefore it was nicknamed "The Abode of Silence".

walking tour it is best to start from the upper part of the city (you can go up there by funicular), gradually descending to the base of the hill. So you can save energy and better appreciate the stunning panoramas that open at different points on the route. One of the most characteristic buildings of Gubbio is considered the Consular Palace, or Podesta Palace, it is depicted everywhere as a symbol of the city. This is an ensemble of two buildings on a hilltop, focused on large area- Gubbio Art Center.

The most significant sights in the city are the Ducal Palace, Cathedral, St. Ubaldo's Basilica, St. Ubaldo's House, Victorian Church, St. Francis Church, etc.