THE TOWN - Orvieto

Orvieto origins go back to the Etruscan civilization: the first Etruscan settlements, going back to the 9th Century B.C., infact, were found inside the tufaceous caves in the bedrock upon which today rises the city. Annexed in the 3rd Century B.C. to the territories of Rome, it remained under the Roman domination until the decline of the Western Roman Empire. Afterwhich it became a free municipality, and during the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, was a valiant opponent of Barbarossa, remaining faithful to the Pope. Riding on the support of the Papal State, it was allowed to prosper through the entire Medieval Period, reaching the top of its development in the 13th Century with the constitution of the General Council of the 400 and the election of the Captain of the People. It was during this period that one saw the fervent work of erecting palaces and holy buildings among which the very famous Cathedral stands out, dating back to 1263, undoubtedly the most important architectural landmark of the city, with its splendid Gothic facing and the richness of the ornaments and internal chapels. In the ancient town we also find the St.Patrizio well, built in 1527 based on a plan of Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane, the Palace of the Seven from 1300, the Palace of People Captain (12th Century) inside which took place the meetings of the People's Council, Saint Andrew’s Church (12th Century), Saint Domenic’s Church (12th Century), Saint Giovenale’s Church (11th Century), Soliano Palace (1262) within which, one will find two museums: the Museum of the Opera del Duomo and the Museum of Modern Art. Moreover we remember the Mancinelli Theatre (1866), the suggestive Underground City and the Necropolis of the Crucifix of Tufo dating back to the Etruscan period. From Orvieto to Ficulle Orvieto, along the state road 79 bis one reaches the Prodo Castle along the nice panoramic drive that dominates the water basin of Corbara. Continuing along a road of interesting landscape one climbs to practically the summit of Mount Peglia (837 metres) to reach San Venanzo; from here, with a little detour to the west, through the village of Montegiove, one may visit initially Montegabbione and subsequently Monteleone d’Orvieto. Going back toward. From Orvieto to Allerona From Orvieto along the state road 448, which banks along the sunshine highway, in a southerly direction one reaches the village of Baschi and from here, crossing the boundery into the Region of Lazio, one may also visit the village of Bagnoreggio. Continuing northbound , reeturning within Umbrian territory, until Porano and Castel Rubello, and then along the statee road 71 toward Bolsena until one returns in the direction of Castel Giorgio. Continuing in a northbound direction one may visit, at last, the villages of Castel Viscardo, Rubiaglio, and Allerona. Easter and Jazz in Umbria Day One: Orvieto - Narni Arrival in Orvieto and visit to the town: the magnificent Cathedral, the Cliff, St. Patrick's Well. In the afternoon arrival at Narni and visit to Narni underground. Day Two:Spoleto - Carsulae In the morning possibility of an excursion to Spoleto, the town famous for its Festival dei Due Mondi (the Festival of Two Worlds). Excursion to the Roman remains in Carsulae. Day Three: Marmore Waterfalls - Piediluco Possibility of an excursion to Piediluco with a trip around the lake by ecological ferryboat. On return, stop off to admire the Marmore Waterfalls, the highest falls in Europe. Day Four: Stroncone - Collescipoli Short excursion to the lovely villages of Stroncone, ancient feudal borough, and Collescipoli, a small centre which is full of interesting architectural elements. CORBARA Orvieto - 14 km - Perched on top of a sheer tufa plateau overlooking the valley of the Paglia River, this town is famous for its Cathedral, an outstanding example of Italian Gothic architecture, and the legendary Pozzo di San Patrizio or St. Patrick's Well. It is also home of Orvieto DOC wine and is known for the truffles from the area between Mount Peglia and Selva di Meana. Todi - 28 km - Best known for the Bramantesque Church of S. Maria della Consolazione, one of the finest Renaissance buildings in Umbria, and the splendid Piazza del Popolo with the Cathedral and the old public palaces. Viterbo - 51 km - The layout of the medieval city is still practically intact. Built on the Etruscan settlement of Surrena, it was already known in antiquity for its therapeutic mineral springs and spa. The lovely fountains and palazzi - del Podesta', della Prefettura and dei Priori - vie in importance with the twelfth-century Cathedral and the splendid thirteenth-century Papal Palace with a stupendous loggia that provides a breathtaking view of the surroundings. The area is also known for the Est! Est!! Est!!! wine of Montefiascone and the wrought iron of Bagnaia. Perugia - 70 km - In the fourth century B.C. it was already a well-known Etruscan city. The Gothic Palazzo dei Priori, the Collegio del Cambio with frescoes by Perugino, the National Gallery with works by Fra Angelico and Piero della Francesca are only .a few of the many outstanding buildings in the historical center enclosed by the remains of the Etruscan and fourteenth-century walls. Events dedicated to music such as Umbria Jazz and Rockin' Umbria are of considerable interest. Spoleto - 72 km - Every summer this enchanting town with its late Roman and Romanesque monuments hosts the Festival of Two Worlds, an international event of great prestige with theater, dance, music and cinema. Pienza - 98 km - Pope Pius II commissioned the architect Bernardo Rossellino to create this typical example of fifteenth-century architecture and town planning on a pre-existing town (Corsignano). The heart of the inhabited center is the lovely trapezoidal Piazza Pio II, with the Palazzo Piccolomini and the Cathedral. The former is one of the most significant examples of Renaissance architecture. The various works of art to be found in the Cathedral include a baptismal font by Rossellino and the splendid choir stalls. Cortona - 99 km - Set on the southern flank of a spur that projects from Mount S. Egidio, the town, almost surely founded by the Umbri, was then conquered by the Etruscans and became one of the most important lucumonie. In its long history, the town was the birthplace of a number of people who made a name for themselves in art, literature and religion. Fra Angelico's Annunciation is one of the key works in the Museo Diocesano The Exhibition of Antique Furniture (Mostra del Mobile Antico) and the National Copper Fair are some of the best-known events. Rome - 123 km - The eternal city. Siena - 126 km - Of Roman origins according to legend, it's star shone most brightly in the Middle Ages when its history was bound to the Via Francigena (pilgrim route). as one of the most important centers in Italy. The monumental buildings and the artistic heritage which achieved its zenith with the masters of the Sienese Gothic style bear witness to its standing as one of the most important centers in Italy. The Palio, among the oldest events of its kind in Italy, is disputed in Piazza del Campo by the contrade or "districts" into which the city is divided . Florence - 170 km - The cradle of the Renaissance. The most important noble families who settled in the territory to the right of the Tiber River were the Bulgarelli, counts of Marsciano, and the counts of Montemarte. The former safeguarded the areas north of Monte Peglia and the northern boundaries of the city-state towards Perugia with the castles of Parrano, Montegiove and S. Vito in Monte. The latter held sway over the areas east of Orvieto towards Todi with the castles of Montemarte and Corbara. Subsequently in the thirteenth century these territories fell under the jurisdiction of the city-state of Orvieto. In 1231 Andrea di Montemarte fell prisoner to Todi and was forced to cede the castle of Montemarte, strategically located high above the Tiber at the mouth of the ravine of the Forello (in the only point where both Orvieto and Todi are visible). The castle was torn down and the counts of Montemarte had to fall back to other fortified positions. One of these was the castle of Titignano that controlled the vast holdings in the area and the castle of Corbara. In the 1292 land registrar of the countryside surrounding Orvieto both Titignano, in the piviere (territory under the jurisdiction of the country parish church)of Mimiano east of Prodo, and Corbara, in the piviere of S. Maria de Stiolo at the confluence of the Paglia and Tiber rivers, were listed as castrum. Historical data on the Roman port of Pagliano A narrow strip of land at the confluence of the Tiber and the Paglia rivers is located within the boundaries of the Tenuta di Corbara, known in the past thanks to the emergence of archaeological finds. Between 1889 and 1890 the Banca Romana, at the time owner of the land, financed a dig in which a series of interconnected rooms were uncovered. Only a few were more thoroughly investigated and the basic structural system of the complex, in cement masonry, much of which faced in “opus reticulatum”, was identified. The excavations were unfortunately subsequently interrupted when the Banca Romana crashed. Between 1925 and 1926 the Soprintendenza of Florence had the structures, which were deteriorating, freed from underbrush and earth. A project for their restoration dating to 1930 was never carried out. Thereafter only partial attempts at cleaning up were undertaken. Recently thanks to a series of coincidences the archaeological site has finally been restored to public enjoyment. A radical procedure of maintenance of the banks of the Tiber by ENEL (National Electricity Board) eliminated the vegetation that covered them, which included the area of the Roman port. The Soprintendenza Archeologica per l’Umbria, thanks to financing supplied by the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities, undertook an organic investigation of the site, beginning with the southern zone of the settlement. Operations were begun last year and have so far brought to light a section that was probably utilitarian in its purpose, and a series of structures of a hydraulic nature, including a basin still protected by a niche. As investigations proceeded, protection and restoration of the structures still in the process of being uncovered were begun, fundamental if these architectural elements, weakened by time and natural events, are to be preserved intact. Thanks to these procedures, the archaeological site is now open to the public and thanks to financing there is hope of completely salvaging the entire complex. The presence of port facilities of this size is particularly important in the allover picture of trading and economic relations between Rome and the areas of the immediate hinterland. The principal appointments in Umbria throughout the year Amelia - The medieval atmosphere of the town comes alive in the squares and corners of the town in the Rievocazione degli Statuti Amerini (Re-enactment of the Statutes of Amelia) and the Palio dei Colombi (of the Doves). Assisi - The most prestigious Italian antique dealers participate in the Mostra Mercato Nazionale dell'Antiquariato (April/May). - Calendimaggio, which takes place on the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday of May (weekdays) brings medieval and renaissance traditions back to life. - Celebrations for St. Francis are held in October in the Basilica dedicated to the Saint and in S. Maria degli Angeli Baschi - With May in Baschi there is a return to the tradition of painting Easter eggs that goes back to the Middle Ages. A national exhibition (Mostra Concorso Nazionale) dedicated to the Ovo Pinto (Painted Egg) is held in Civitella del Lago. Bevagna - During the Mercato delle Gaite the citizens of the four quarters (gaite) outdo each other in creating craft workshops, taverns and markets of the times (medieval). Performances, concerts, exhibitions and an archery contest complete the events in June. Castiglione del Lago - Coloriamo I Cieli (Let's color the skies). In May kites paint the sky a thousand colors. It is the most important international kite meet in Italy. Citta' della Pieve - The traditional Palio dei Terzieri comes to life in August when the quarters challenge each other. Citta' di Castello - The Festival delle Nazioni di Musica da Camera (Festival of the Nations of Chamber Music) takes place in August and September. Each edition is dedicated to a European country. - In September, the Mostra A'azionale del Cavallo is a review of selected breeds, horse competitions and auctions. - In November, the Mostra del Tartufo e dei Prodotti di Bosco (Exhibition of Truffles and Woodland Products) is focused on the white truffle, one of the most prized species. Deruta - Maggio a Deruta (May in Deruta) celebrates the first of the month with the Mostra Mercato dell'Antiquariato e della Maiolica Antica. Foligno - Ten knights, one for each district, challenge each other in June in the Giostra della Quintana, a jousting competition dating to the seventeenth century. Gubbio - During the Corsa dei Ceri, in May, three heavy wooden "candles" are carried at a run through the historical center to the basilica of the patron saint on the hill. - The Stagione del Teatro Romano (Roman Theater Season) is held in the enchanting Roman theater from mid July to the end of August. - At Gubbio Festival, from July to September, the best masters and pupils of the Corsi di Perfezionamento Musicale (workshops) give concerts in the most enchanting sites of the historical center. Montefalco - Agosto Montefalchese is marked by a historical procession, crossbow and flag-waving competitions and the "fuga del bove" ("flight of the ox"). Perugia - Umbria Jazz Summer is the most important jazz festival in Europe. - In September events not to be missed include the Sagra Musicale Umbra with sacred and twentieth-century music - In the second half of September, Perugia Classico offers a broad panorama of antique and modern musical instruments. The event is accompanied by meetings and concerts. - Eurochocolate in October is dedicated to tasting, exhibitions and record-breaking events all involving chocolate. - Natale in Umbria (Christmas in Umbria), beginning with Perugia, offers concerts and choral performances of sacred music, nativity scenes and tableau vivant. Sangemini - The two city districts, Rocca and Piazza, compete in the Giostra dell'Arme. Processions, concerts, performances evoke the jousting contests of the fourteenth century. Spello - On the day of Corpus Christi, the artistic miracle of the Infiorata reappears. The cobblestones of the principal streets are covered with carpets of flowers, their designs inspired by religious themes. Spoleto - The program of Spoleto Festival, one of the internationally best-known Italian events, takes place in June and July. - In autumn there is the Stagione del Lirico Sperimentale, an opera competition for young people. Terni - In April fans come from all over the world for the regata di Canottaggio (canoeing) on the Lake of Piediluco. - Cantamaggio celebrates the return of spring, with allegorical floats, exhibitions and theater performances. - The Festa delle Acque (water festival) renews age-old celebrations for the summer solstice. A nocturnal procession of boats on the lake of Piediluco, fireworks and theater, concerts, enrich this early summer festival. Todi - The most prestigious Italian antique dealers are to be found in the Rassegna Antiquaria d'Italia. quando? - Todi Art Festival, with events in prose, music, ballet, cultural encounters. In July, in the cloisters, churches, theaters and historical center. - In autumn, craftsmen from all over Italy participate in the Mostra Nazionale Artigianato (National Crafts Fair). Furniture, ceramics, jewelry, wrought iron, textiles, copper and embroidery are represented. Torgiano - The Banco d'Assaggio dei Vini d'Italia (wine tasting) is a nationally famous competition for those specialized in wine and foods (November).