Overview
A town of 37 thousand inhabitants in the province of Perugia, Umbria
A Roman colony in the 3rd century B.C. and seat of the Longobard Duchy in the Middle Ages, Spoleto was attacked in 1155 by Frederick I of Swabia, known as Barbarossa ("Redbeard"), emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He fought for the town for a long time against the Church, which took it under Pope Innocent III at the end of the 12th century. From the 13th century Spoleto embarked on its urban renaissance.
What to see
The main attraction is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, better known as Duomo di Spoleto. It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries and completed in the 18th century. It is one of the few places of worship in Italy that can be reached by going down some steps rather than up a flight of steps. This is followed by the Rocca Albornoziana, situated at the top of the Sant'Elia hill and built by Pope Innocent VI, and the Ponte delle Torri bridge, probably derived from a Roman aqueduct, 240 metres long and 76 metres high, connecting the fortress to Monteluco.
Not to be missed
The Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds), an international music, art, culture and entertainment event that has been held in Spoleto every year since 1958.
What to eat
Be sure to try strangozzi alla spoletina, a type of homemade pasta served with tomato sauce, garlic, oil, parsley, pepper and chilli pepper. Among the local products, no shortage of truffle, served both in first courses and on meat. But the fruit of the earth goes very well with 'strapazzata' eggs, a soft omelette also presented as an appetiser, with a rich and intense flavour.
Where to park
Spoleto has three free alternative mobility systems that allow tourists and residents to reach the historic centre on foot, without using a car. These links are close to three paid car parks: Ponzianina, from which one can take the escalators, Posterna near the moving walkways of the mechanised route and, finally, Spoleto Sfera, with lifts leading to Piazza della Libertà.
06049 Spoleto PG, Italia
