In the heart of Italy, tucked into the region of Umbria at the foothills of the Apennine Mountains, is the charming town of Spoleto. This gorgeous rural town is one of the larger cities in Umbria, but it maintains a delightful small town feel and rural medieval quality that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Whether you are strolling the sloping cobblestone city streets or touring the historical churches, the enchanting town of Spoleto makes a fantastic getaway for an Italian vacation of a lifetime. This centrally located town is rich in history and culture, making it a must-see stop on your next trip to Italy.

ARCHITECTURE

The Basilica of San Salvatore is thought to have been amongst the earliest churches in Italy. In fact, the circa fourth century structure is designated as a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. Despite its age, the basilica is in decent condition outside of damage done by a twenty-first century earthquake. The basilica’s surroundings are hilly, much like the rest of the region that sits at cusp of the Apennine Range. The basilica also hosts a cemetery with tombs and funerary monuments dedicated to Spoleto’s historic families.

The Spoleto Duomo or the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, is often visited for a glimpse of its colorful frescoes and portico. The frescoes are thought to have been an early part of the structure while the portico is estimated to have been added later in the seventeenth century during renovations. The interior frescoes were created by notable artists such as Pinturicchio and Filippo Lippi. The church was constructed during the twelfth century and features Romanesque, Baroque, and Neoclassic elements.

The Church of San Pietro is considered to be one of the older churches in the city of Spoleto. With origins in the fifth century, this structure has been rebuilt over time. Much like the Spoleto Duomo, it is also characterized by Romanesque elements with a series of grand arches and rose windows.

The Basilica of Sant’Eufemia is a church that acts primarily as a museum. The structure was originally thought to have been dedicated to Saint Euphemia of Chalcedon before it eventually became an Archbishop’s palace and now a museum. The museum aspect of Basilica of Sant’Eufemia is a collection of art that covers several centuries.

The Church of San Gregorio Maggiore is estimated to have origins circa the eleventh century. This church has been largely restored over the years with some functional additions such as a porch, chapel, and belfry. The subdued interior with one main long aisle flanked by massive arches and columns makes this church a traveler favorite.

Ponte delle Torri is a well-known bridge built on the site of a Roman Aqueduct. The bridge is picturesque with long narrow arches holding it up amongst the tree dotted hills of the countryside. For this reason, the Ponte delle Torri is an iconic symbol of Spoleto. This magnificent feat of architecture stretches approximately seven hundred feet long and more than two hundred feet tall. Crossing this bridge in Spoleto is truly an awe-inspiring experience for most travelers.

The Rocca Albornoziana fortress is a historic castle that sits atop one of Spoleto’s highest hills. The fortress boasts several tall towers that add to the structure’s prominence. Despite its age and thanks to restoration efforts, the castle is in good condition.

Although it is no longer used for military purposes, the fortress maintains an imposing presence still today. Visitors will likely have trouble envisioning the Rocca Albornoziana being used as a prison as it was at one time because of its detailed frescoes and beautiful courtyard.

Torre dell’Olio, part of sixteenth century Palazzo Vigili, is the tallest tower in town. The unique name of the tower, which translates to “tower of oil” refers to the fact that at one time the locals would stand at the top of the tower and pour boiling oil onto advancing invaders. It is said that a defensive structure has been located on this site since the third century BC.

While strolling around the city center of Spoleto, it is possible to admire a number of interesting fountains. Among these are the Dolphin Fountain, the Fountain of the Mascherone, the Fountain of Piazza Collicola, the Fountain of Piazza Duomo, and the Fountain of Piazza del Mercato.

ART

In Spoleto, several of the local palazzi are home to fantastic art exhibits. The Palazzo Bufalini, Palazzo Mauri, and Palazzo Collicola are splendid places to take in breathtaking artistic exhibits.

Palazzo Bufalini is known for some outstanding artistic exhibitions that change somewhat regularly. This now exhibition hall is thought to date back to the early sixteenth century with a completion that culminated more than a century later. The Palazzo Bufalini’s rich history and architecture make it an excellent location for local cultural events and art exhibits.

Palazzo Mauri is also a favorite locale for art lovers. Here visitors will find a broad art collection filled with paintings, frescoes, and more. This structure is considered to have once been the property of the noble Mauri family and has also been used as the location for the prestigious Accademia Spoletina.

Palazzo Collicola Arti Visive is a vibrant art collection that features artistic works from sculptors and painters from the twelfth century onward. Art connoisseurs can expect to take in period works as well as more modern-day examples of art here.

Spoleto’s historic City Hall also serves as an art gallery of sorts. Dating back to the thirteenth century, the structure has been renovated and expanded over the centuries. Today, visitors to the City Hall can admire art by Guercino and Giovanni di Pietro in richly decorated rooms. The building’s interior chapel, which is dedicated to Saint Pontianus, is also a work of art.

LITERATURE

Despite its size, Spoleto is largely an enchanting and sleepy town that innately lends itself to the solace and inspiration a writer often craves. Writers often find creativity in the charm that the older part of town exudes or in the city’s picturesque natural green surroundings.

Spoleto, Italy is quite popular for students and educational enthusiasts who wish to study abroad. Literature and creative writing courses can usually be found for aspiring writers at educational institutions.

MUSIC

One of the largest festivals in the region of Umbria, the Festival of Two Worlds (Festival dei Due Mondi), can be found in the city of Spoleto usually in late June and much of July. The celebration of art including music can be traced all the way back to the mid-twentieth century courtesy of renowned composer Maestro Gian Carlo Menotti. The festival is an international celebration of art that includes various expressions and forms. This event attracts hundreds of visitors and artists of various musical and artistic genres from across the globe.

CINEMA

The rustic beauty and charm of the town of Spoleto is one of Italy’s best kept secrets. However, it may not be that way for long. The city is increasingly becoming more well-known with the twenty-first century Italian television show Don Matteo filming episodes here. As a country, Italy is becoming more of an attraction to aspiring domestic and international film producers and directors. As this movement gains steam, gorgeous towns like Spoleto will likely as a result garner increased attention too.

Movies that have been filmed in Spoleto over the decades include Kean (1940), Lo sceicco bianco (1952), Vita privata (1961), Caccia alla volpe (1966), Io e mia sorella (1987), Francesco (2014), and Copperman (2019).

SCIENCE

Spoleto is home to the Laboratorio di scienze della terra, a museum that exhibits the work of nineteenth century natural scientist and Spoleto native Francesco Toni. On display are rocks, fossils, minerals, and ethnographic artifacts from different periods of prehistory and history coupled with interactive tools to help visitors learned about natural science.