COMPLESSO di VILLA PIANCIANI COMPLEX A.C.M.P. INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS – SPOLETO AREA 2016 TOURISTIC TOURS Spoleto Spoleto is an artistic and cultural center, both because of its Roman and medieval history and architecture as well as its contemporary world-wide famous summer “Spoleto Festival” (Known as the Two Worlds Festival) ”. Built along one of the Roman primary roadways, the via Flaminia, Spoleto is easily reachable by train and car from Rome or Perugia. The Roman theatre, the stunning Romanesque cathedral (the Duomo) and the dominating Papal fortress all entice the visitor to Spoleto. As in most of the Italian medieval hill towns, the fortress guards the town from the highest viewpoint. Beneath the fortress, the medieval aqueduct stretches dramatically over a narrow gorge and from it, the visitor experiences the lyrical beauty of Umbria. The Renaissance painter Fra Lippo Lippi left one of his masterpieces in the town’s cathedral, the Duomo. Its Romanesque façade, graced with mosaics, backdrops the events of the famous Festival of the Two Worlds, as do many of the other medieval and Roman edifices of Spoleto. Todi Todi, once voted the most liveable town in Italy, is perched at the top of a hill overlooking the Tiber river. The town fans out from one of the most picturesque medieval square in central Italy. Originally the Roman forum, this circular square is surrounded by Todi most important civic and religious buildings, which eco past rivalries between civic and spiritual authority: they both try to outdo each other in splendor. In spring time Todi attracts visitors to its internationally acclaimed Antiques Fair. Enjoy a walk through the windy narrow backstreets where medieval history lives on. Todi underground - The Roman cistern in Piazza del Popolo, over 5 Km of underground passages and tunnels, more than 30 pre-Roman, Roman and medieval cisterns and 500 wells of varying ages form the rich underground heritage of the city. A flexible underground architectural system which completely covers the hillside, created over the centuries, knowledgably using the natural formation and characteristics of the land Spello Famous in Italy for its precious and most delicious Olive Oil, Spello is only 15 minutes away (by train and car) from Assisi. Embraced by its medieval walls, the town was founded during the Roman Empire, as the three, well- preserved, imposing Roman gates still witness. Walking through its narrow streets, you will be able to grasp patches of breathtaking views. At the top of the hill town these patches come together and the perfect scenery of the Umbrian Valley will appear to you: in the distances Assisi, Perugia, Montevallo and Bettina will be sitting at the top of their hills. You will not want to miss the Santa Maria Maggiore church: probably built over the Roman temple of Juno and Vestal, the sanctuary will reveal to you one of the most beautiful (and famous) frescoed Chapels in Italy. The Cappella Bella, frescoed by Pinturicchio, is a masterpiece of the finest Renaissance art. Take you time to visit the little artisan’s shop and taste the genuine foods, wines and olive oil. Orvieto Ingeniously built by the Etruscans at the top of a volcanic tuff rock plateau, Orvieto boasts one of the most unique and dramatic settings in of all Italy. Bordering on the region of Latium it is just over an hour away from Perugia, and not far from the picturesque and peaceful lake Bolsena, as well as incredible Civita di Bagnoregio. This 'high and bizarre city', as one of the fourteenth century Italian poet described it, Orvieto is unique among the towns of central Italy, because of its unique position on the top of the vertical-faces of a volcanic cliff rock. Orvieto reached its maximum expansion during the Middle Age. The most important testament to its medieval growth and wealth is the Duomo, the town’s Gothic Cathedral. The gold mosaic façade, graced with an exquisite rose windows, rises above the city roof-tops and, and its lower level is embellished with intriguing bas-reliefs and sculptures. The interior houses the extraordinary Luca Signorelli frescoed chapel. The cathedral has a particular religious significance because it holds one of the most important relic in Italy. While visiting Orvieto, do not miss the 62 meter-deep Saint Patrick’s Well, the Etruscan archaeological sites and especially the Orvieto Underground tours which will give you a different view of the city through its underground tunnels and caves. A.C.M.P. - Monumental Complex of VILLA PIANCIANI fraz.Terraja 44 Spoleto, Umbria, Italia, EU Tel - fax 0039-0743 261373 [email protected] www.villapianciani.it Complesso di VILLA PIANCIANI www.villapianciani.it VILLA PIANCIANI Complex Orvieto underground -Orvieto underground is a labyrinth of caves dug out over a period of 3000 years from the rock on which the city is built. You can visit the Etruscan “Velzna”, medieval and Renaissance Orvieto in an extraordinary journey through time. A guided tour of Orvieto underground is therefore the best way to become acquainted with this new, particularly cultural aspect of a city rich in history and outstanding artistical treasures. Not to be missed, a visit to St Patrick‟s Well designed by Antonio da Sangallo di Giovane. Perugia Perugia is the "city of infinite views" as Henry James describes in his "Italian Hours". Set at the top of a hill by its Etruscan founders, breathtaking views and landscaped appear constantly at the visitor's eye, while walking through its narrow medieval streets. The city owns various master art pieces, which cannot be mist seeing: Pietro Vannucci's Collegio del Cambio frescos, in which he has also depicted his most famous self portrait, but also the exquisite work of Pinturicchio, born in Perugia, and visible at the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria. This museum is the most important in Umbria, because it gives a complete insight on Medieval and Renaissance Umbrian art. The museum is hosted in an exquisite civil palace: built in the Middle Age, the Palazzo dei Priori, overlooks one of the most charming Italian squares. At the center of the square there is a three level fountain, entirely engraved on its sides. A nice walk down the hill will bring you to the San Pietro church and monastery. This unique architectural complex is completed by the botanic and medieval gardens. The city is also worth visiting for its chocolate. Various pastry and coffee shops all over the town make their own delicious chocolate: if you are there in the winter do not miss sipping a warm cup of hot chocolate; if in the summer, you will taste some of the best chocolate gelato in Italy.The city also has a great night atmosphere, thanks to student life and to its various music and art events. Perugia underground -Perugia below ground is accessible by means of mechanized paths through the structure of the Rocca Paolina, within the Rocca are the remains of the medieval quarter belonging to the Baglioni family. The fortress was built by Paolo III Farnese in 1540/43 based on a design by Antonio de Sangallo di Giovane. The powerful fortress was demolished in 1860 when it became part of the Kingdom of Italy. What remains today of this powerful structure is the medieval quarter with the old living areas, some streets, such as Via Bagliona, courtyards and squares, ovens, workshops and the 13th Century house of Gentile Baglioni with its intact tower, and the retreat of Ridolfo and Braccio Baglioni. 5 kilometres to the south-east is the Hypogeum of the Volumni, a monumental tomb of the Etruscan Perugian family of the same name. The tomb, discovered in 1840, is one of the most important monuments of Etruria and is part of a much bigger necropolis known as Palazzone, which extends around the Hypogeum with numerous tombs and rooms from the archaic age (3rd and 1st Century BC). The tomb is dated between the second half of the 2nd and the middle of the 1st Century BC. Assisi Home of Saint Francis, Italian beloved patron saint, Assisi is a suggestive medieval gem embedded in Mount Subasio flank. Considered the crown jewel of Umbrian Medieval hill towns, the town is a Unesco World Heritage site because of its historical, artistic and religious significance. The 13th century, three-level gothic Saint Francis Basilica is a place of prayer and art. Built to house the saint body, the finest artists of the time were called to fresco 10.000 square meters of wall, permitting us today to consider this church on of the Italian major art museums. Walking through the narrow coble stone streets, you will feel thrown back into time. The whole town, built in the local pink and white lime stone, is worth visiting: the Basilica of Saint Claire, the San Rufino Cathedral and the main square where you can admire the intact façade of the roman Minerva temple. Just outside of the town walls you can visit the little monastery and church of San Damiano, where the legend tell that an ancient wooden crucifix spoke to Saint Francis investing him with the spiritual mission to renew the Church. A couple of miles up the Subasio mountain, among the oaks and fir trees, the Hermitage will appear to your site, embedded in the forest. It is a place of spiritual and religious reflection, but also a very peaceful spot, beautiful and suggestive to visit all year around. Montefalco Often referred to as "the balcony of Umbria", this small country-side hill town, offers delicious food and wine, charming architecture, precious art pieces and endless views of the Umbrian green valley.