Itinerary to discover the Umbrian Valley

The Umbrian Valley, also known as Valle Spoletana, offers a varied territory rich in archaeology, art and history. Shady woods, wide meadows that are filled with flowers in spring and semi-populated moors constitute the enchantments of a fairytale landscape, punctuated here and there by magnificent medieval-looking towns.

Here is an itinerary that will lead you to discover the main locations in the Umbrian Valley.

The first stop on the itinerary is Spoleto, one of Umbria’s most important artistic and cultural centres. The city, located at the foot of the sacred forest of Monteluco, is dominated by the Rocca Albornoziana, an imposing fortress built between 1363 and 1367 at the behest of Spanish Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It currently houses the National Museum of the Duchy of Spoleto, where evidence of the Spoleto territory from the 4th to the 15th century is collected. The city’s major monument is the Cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, built between the 12th and 13th centuries. Inside, numerous works of great value can be admired, including the extraordinary cycle of frescoes by Filippo Lippi. Other sights include: the Church of Sant’Eufemia, one of the most remarkable Romanesque buildings in the region; the 12th-century Romanesque Church of San Gregorio Maggiore, preceded by a Renaissance portal; and some important Roman remains.

The second stop is Montefalco, a charming village famous for the production of exceptional red wines. Due to its geographical position and the wonderful views it offers, it has been nicknamed the ‘railing of Umbria’. It occupies a prominent place in the history of painting thanks to the cycle of frescoes depicting the ‘Stories from the Life of St. Francis’ painted by Benozzo Gozzoli in the Church of San Francesco, now converted into a museum. Also worth a visit: the 13th-century Church of Sant’Agostino, with a beautiful 15th-century cloister and frescoes of the Umbrian school (14th-15th centuries); and the Complex of Santa Chiara, with valuable 14th-century paintings of the Umbrian school. A little further on is Bevagna, a small village that has preserved its medieval urban layout almost intact. The beating heart of the village is the charming Piazza Silvestri, overlooked by: the 13th-century Palazzo dei Consoli, with its elegant travertine and sandstone façade; the Church of San Michele, with a beautiful 15th-century crucifix inside; and the Church of San Silvestro, a jewel of Umbrian Romanesque architecture. There are also numerous and interesting remains from Roman times.

The itinerary leads beyond Foligno to the splendid Abbey of Santa Croce in Sassovivo, perched in an idyllic natural landscape amidst woods of holm oaks and centuries-old olive trees. Built by the Benedictines around the 10th century, it represents one of the most distinguished and fascinating monuments in the Foligno area. The most interesting part is the cloister, characterised by a delicate colonnade. The next stop is Trevi, a delightful medieval village famous for its ancient oil-making tradition. At the top stands the cathedral, dedicated to Saint Aemilianus, the town’s first bishop and protector. Inside, the altar of the Sacrament decorated by Rocco di Tommaso in the 16th century and some frescoes attributed to local craftsmen stand out. Also worth a visit are: the San Francesco Museum Complex, which houses the Olive Tree Civilization Museum and the San Francesco Art Collection; Villa Fabbri, with its famous Italian garden; and the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime, where you can admire Perugino’s last work.

Finally, the last stop on the itinerary is the idyllic Sources of Clitunno in the village of Campello sul Clitunno. Here, a series of small springs has created a small lake with crystal-clear water and emerald reflections. The place has been a source of inspiration since ancient times for great writers such as Propertius, Virgil, Pliny the Younger and, later, Byron and Carducci. Just beyond the springs stands the Tempietto del Clitunno, an early Christian building dating back to the 5th century.