The 5 most beautiful villages in Umbria

Located in the heart of Italy, Umbria is a region rich in beautiful villages, of Etruscan or medieval origin, whose beauty and historical importance is recognized throughout the world. These small towns perched in the mountains or nestled in soft hills, where time seems to stand still, are the ideal destination for an out-of-town trip among nature, tradition and art.

What are the 5 most beautiful villages in Umbria? Let’s discover them together!

DERUTA

In the Tiber valley, about 15 kilometers from Perugia, lies Deruta, a small and charming village that holds an exceptional artistic and cultural heritage. It is world-renowned for the production of artistic ceramics, a very ancient tradition carried on today by a myriad of small workshops. The heart of Deruta is Piazza dei Consoli, overlooked by: the 14th-century Palazzo dei Consoli, which houses the town hall and the Pinacoteca Comunale, which contains a large number of valuable works of art; and the Church of San Francesco, with a beautiful sandstone facade. The adjoining Convent of St. Francis houses the Regional Museum of Ceramics, where more than 6,000 works are kept. Religious buildings also include the medieval Church of St. Anthony Abbot and the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Bagni.

SPELLO

Another village not to be missed is Spello, the town of flower-lined alleys and the Corpus Christi Flower Festival, a historical-religious event that fills the streets of the center with colorful carpets and floral paintings. Perched on a spur of Mount Subasio, Spello retains signs of its long Roman and Longobard history. The main street connects the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, inside which is the famous Baglioni Chapel frescoed in the 16th century by Pintoricchio, with the 13th-century Church of Sant’Andrea and the ancient Palazzo Comunale. Other sights include: the Civic and Diocesan Picture Gallery, where you can admire a magnificent collection of works of art from the various sacred buildings in the area; and the Villa of the Mosaics, one of Umbria’s most extraordinary archaeological treasures.

BEVAGNA

Just over 10 kilometers from Spello is the charming village of Bevagna, which has preserved its medieval urban layout almost intact. Walking through its alleys, you will feel as if you are reliving in a time long past. Bevagna’s beating heart is Piazza Silvestri, one of the most beautiful squares in Umbria. Overlooking it are the Romanesque churches of San Silvestro and San Michele Arcangelo, the Church of Saints Domenico and Giacomo, and the 13th-century Palazzo dei Consoli, home of the Francesco Torti theater. Also worth a visit: the Museo Civico, housed in the 18th-century Palazzo Lepri; and the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie, from which there is a stupendous view of the Umbrian valley. Bevagna in June hosts the Mercato delle Gaite, one of the most important and interesting historical re-enactments in Italy.

TREVI

On the slopes of Mount Serano stands the village of Trevi, a sort of “diffuse museum” for the countless expressions of art, nature and landscape found throughout. The locality is known for its ancient oil-making tradition, to which a festival is also dedicated, held in autumn, when the pressing takes place and the arrival of the new oil is welcomed. In the upper part of the village stands the Cathedral of St. Emiliano, built between the 12th and 13th centuries but entirely rebuilt in the 19th. Inside stands the altar of the Sacrament decorated by Rocco di Tommaso in the 16th century. Other places of interest include: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tears, with frescoes by Spagna and Perugino; and the St. Francis Museum Complex, which includes the Antiquarium, the Picture Gallery, the Church of St. Francis and the Museum of the Civilization of the Olive Tree.

NOCERA UMBRA

On the slopes of Mount Pennino, on the other hand, is the village of Nocera Umbra, famous for the therapeutic properties of its mineral waters, particularly that of the Angelica spring. The town’s most valuable artistic building is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Rebuilt and renovated several times over the centuries, it preserves the beautiful majolica floor of the sacristy and the chapel decorated with paintings by Giulio Cesare Angeli. The centerpiece of the urban center is Piazza Caprera, on which stands the monumental Church of San Francesco, home to the Pinacoteca and Museo Civico. Also noteworthy in the historic center are: the Campanaccio civic tower, the only remnant of the ancient fortress; the Church of San Filippo, in neo-Gothic style with a facade decorated with a large rose window; and the Municipal Theater, a splendid example of Art Nouveau architecture.