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Home , Costacciaro, Foligno, Fossato di Vico, Province of Perugia, Sigillo, Spoleto

History of The presents of human beings on the territory of Fossato di Vico is very antique and it presumably goes back to l millennium b.C.. It is in this area that the Umbrians, the Picenis and other populations around the mountain side of the Appennines, used to meet and exchange their products. Thereafter, in the century b.C. the Romans colonised the area and renamed it Helvillum. The construction of (in 220 b.C. engineered by Gaio Flaminio) was the principal route of the entire region (and of the salt commerce), this meant that Hely/ilium was the main route and organised settlement for the antique station of the roman post. Via Flaminia, antique road going back to pre-roman time, is the result of a long planning work and was in antique times the main link from the capital to the Adriatic coast, where each stage coincide with the roman conquest of . After the fall of the , with the battle of Tagina (today's Quaid() Tadino) in 552 (a long Goto-Byzantine war), the village was probably destroyed and a new settlement was developed for the strategic importance of the area even if placed on a dominant position.

This time with a Byzantine name Fossaton (fortification), while the "di Vico" was added later on to symbolize the Count Vico, a noble from Fossato. The Byzantines were probably the founders of the castle of Fossato, and what remains of it is now called "Roccaccio". in 996, Fossato became stronghold of Lupo 'Vico di Monaldo" Count of Nocera who, in X century, received it from Emperor Ottone Ill. In the XII century after the Vico, Fossato got passed on to the Counts of , in 1208 to , to in 1257 and finally back to Perugia. In 1386 Fossato became a Commune proclaiming the "Statuta" which guaranteed the autonomy, statues which they were able to maintain during the Papal State dominance. In 1540, Umbria and as a consequence even Fossato di Vico passed under Papal State until the constitution of the Italian Reign in 7860 (except for the Napoleonic period where Fossato became border land between the Italian and the French Reign this is the reason why Osteria del Gatto found the custom house). Today as in the past, Fossato di Vico is still the border land and route between two realities 'Umbria and Marche". Fossato di Vico, town located under the hillside of the Appennines chains in the southern area of the Regional Park of Monte Cucco, (protected natural area since 1995) sheltered as it is, it still preserves its antique town nucleus maintaining its characteristic medieval village: the walls, the towers, the roads. As you cover the steep road (on the way of Via Flaminia) which takes you to the town center of Fossato, one comes accross the small Church of San Benedetto (XIV century). Now days national monument, it is a gothic structure with painting remains, of the eugubina school, internally a portrait of Urbano V by Matteo da Gualdo can be admired. As you reach the crenellated Tower which overlooks the main entrance door to the town and the Palazzo Comunale one can say to be in the actual medieval town of Fossato di Vico. There are many proofs from thepast that can be admired starting from the old Palazzo Comunale, the Torre dell'Orologio built by the Gricci brothers, the Cappella della Piaggiola, the Camaldolese Church of San Cristoforo (XIII century), the San Sebastian Church, the Monastero di Santa Maria del Fonte (X111 century), the Church of San Pietro dig into the rock, the Antiquarium Comunale, the museum centre of the peasantry civilization where over 2500 pieces are gathered together.

Rughe These narrow streets which are partly covered by semi-circular stone vaulting are a remarkable example of the medieval castle architecture which were part of the defensive system of the castle. This system solved the defensive and viability problems along the internal perimeter of the defensive walls. Piaggiola The Church of Santa Maria delle Piagge, also known as "la Piaggiola", is a small building from the XIII century (antique site of Monte di Pieta). It is set up by a unique room covered by a barrel vault entirely covered by fresco painting. Some of these , are attributed to be by , a known eugubino artist, who worked in Umbria during the XV century. His artwork can be seen in some of the churches in the region; in , , Perugia and in a particular way in the Chiesa di San Francesco in Gubbio but also in and Fano. Torre dell'Orologio It goes back to XVII century and it dominates the central piazza of the town. It's clock in perfect working condition, oeuvre by the Gricci brothers (a family from Fossato), until the sixties when it was replaced (for a better conservation). Together with the church bell, the clock was used to mark the passing of the day. The Tower built with semi-circulate vaults, positioned in the centre of the castle had also an important defensive role during medieval time. In fact from that height it was possible to see far away and coordinate the militia. Monastero di Santa Maria del Fonte It is an antique monastic building of the benedettine cloister nuns built during the XII century. Internally, an important vellum archives and antique documents are preciously kept including the bill of the foundation of the actual monastery and of the foundation of the Monastero di Santa Caterina. Antiquarium Comunale The Antiquarium Comunale was the municipal quarters from XIII century until the unity of . Now days, on the top floor, it hosts a collection of documentation of sites and manufactured products found in this area. It is all set up in two rooms: the first introduces the history of the territory with the precious help of antique geographic maps and reproduction of sites (from XVI to XIX century) and a selection of objects from roman to modern times. The second room displays in a chronologic sequence antique and recent findings which witnesses the life in an area which centrality is due to the commercial exchanges, from prehistory to modern times.

Sigillo The expanssion of goes back to roman times, as the bridge on the Scirca stream evidences. Therefore Sigillo binds its history and its expansion through commerce, which took place on this important communication access, which connected with the Adriatic. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it underwent many destructions and reconstructions until the XV century when it became part of the Papal State until the Unity of Italy. In the heart of the village one can visit, the church of Sant Agostino, where an Annunciation executed by Ippolito Borghesi in 1617 can be admired internally, in the cemetery othe church of ant'Anna some rescos from the Giotto period can be seen, then the antique oratory with votive frescos by Matteo da Gualdo. The Palazzo Comunale from the XII century with its neoclassical stile facade reconstructed in 1802. Since 1996, Sigillo is the headquarter and the entrance point of the natural regional park of Monte Cucco. It hosts exhibitions of historic-naturalistic findings and art collections tied to the territory.

Monte Cucco Park Authentic naturalistic gem set on the north-east area of the (in the communes of: Sigillo; Scheggia and Pascelupo; Fossato di Vico; ) on the borderline with the Marche with 10.480 hectares surface, protected area of Monte Cucco (1566 meters a.s.1). The entire highland complex is constituted by chalky stratification from marine sedimentary rock, it is rich of paleozoic era findings. The environmental and naturalistic heritage of Monte Cucco Park has a remarkable biodiversity not only thanks to its vegetation, as it has a widespread beech tree wood on the higher altitude but also with its fauna. In fact, as well as the normal animals that one may find in the entire area of the central Appennines, there is the presence of rare species such as the wolf the golden eagle and the eagle owl. In the higher parts of the water streams, river prawns and fario trout can be found. Moreover, the park offers, to its visitors, many sports among which: hiking, with about 120 kilometres trails (all of the park is covered by the Sentiero Italia); mounting bike; horseback riding; sports fishing; rafting; free flying and cross country ski.

Costacciaro Costacciaro, located along the Via Flaminia, has kept its original medieval village structure, despite its development in the last decades. Costacciaro, unlike the neighbouring villages which are mostly from Roman origins, was built in 1250 by the citizens of Gubbio as a fortified centre for the defence of their Eastern territory. Of remarkable importance the rose window and the portal which embellish the facade of the church of San Francesco, which was built in XIV century and expanded in XVIII century. Internally, some frescos by Matteo da Gualdo can be admired. The Palazzo dell'Universita, the Rivellino and the antique oil mill are noteworthy. The city centre hosts, the "museo laboratorio del Parco del Monte Cucco", unique in its kind, where it shows what happens to the chalky masses of Monte Cucco and of the Umbrian- Marchigian Appenninies. Revealing the pathways that the rain water follow in the bowels of the earth of the mountains prior to come to light, nourishing the source and the layers of the plain. It is mostly conceived for children and youngsters, where the discovery and the acquisition of knowledge is taught through manual machines, instruments and three-dimensional models which are activated by the visitors. Together with the Laboratory-Museum there is the documentation centre which fuses the exhibition of antique texts and of topographic documents, all are linked to the theme of the exploration of the caves in the Umbrian-Marchigian Appennines starting from the past centuries to recent explorations. Grotta di Monte Cucco Underground complex, 923 metres deep and about 30 Km long, which constitutes beyond its incredible beauty, also a natural and a remarkable place to practice spelaeology. The main entrance to the cave is on the North-East mountain-side. After achieving a 27 meter deep well, many rooms, which each have been named, depending on the visual image it evocated by its stalactyc and stalagmitic formation, can be reached. Moreover, many tunnels, corridors, deep wells, huge galleries passed by underground rivers and natural deposits can be reached by these rooms. The origin of the caves complex is due to the action of the waters on the chalky rock which started on thousands of years ago. One of these is the "Galleria delle Ossa" which ends in a big room which is a deposit of antique animal bones. In this gallery bone remains of rhinoceros, bears, steinbocks, martens, deers and bovines, all animals who lived in the area when the climate was much colder as it was 20.000 years ago during the last glacial period. The Grotta Bianca and the Grotta delle Fate, unique in their kind as they contain great concretions of bacterial matrix.

Scheggia e Pascelupo Scheggia and Pascelupo are two small villages, the first one of Roman origins and the second is of medieval origins. Since 1878, they became a unique commune (as the coat of arms of the commune proves). They are located in the intersection of the Flaminia with the Eugubina and Arceviese state roads close by Monte Cucco. From Scheggia and Pascelupo it is possible to enter Monte Cucco Park to explore the northern area, which is rich of Benedictine abbeys. In a particular way, Sant'Emiliano at Isola Fossata and the Eremo di San Girolamo at Pascelupo . The 'Sentiero Italia" goes through this area. Pacselupo, the "Castello Murato" was founded in XIII century b.C. as a defence to the territory, at first of Gubbio then to Urbino. Fro-m 1396, ceased the domination of Gubbio, the "Castello Murato", of circular plan, went under the influence of the Counts of Montefeltro. From the XV century it went under the jurisdiction of Papal State, finally it was then annexed to the Italian State in 1860.

Scheggia rises in an important road knot of the Via Flaminia (an antique posta station) in a borderline area between Umbria and Marche. During the war between and the Byzantines in 552 a. C. the village was destroyed but then rebuilt by the Byzantines to try to end the Longobard incursions. The Luceoli castle was built at the beginning of the XI century, where the antique postal station was. In the following centuries, Scheggia became part of the territories of Gubbio and it therefore followed its political events, becoming at first part of the Ducato di Urbino then to the Italian Reign. The interesting areas are the Torre Civica built in XIV century, the only remaining door of the antique castle still maintained today. The church of Sant'Antonio Abate, built in 1665, the church dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo which fosters works by Benedetto Nucci and the church of Monte Calvario built in XVII century dedicated to the Madonna Addolorata, which dominates the whole village. Santa Maria di Sitria It is an Abbey from Xl century, built in the territory of the natural park of Monte Cucco, in a Valley included between the Artino ditch and the slopes of Monte Catria along the road that links Scheggia to Isola Fossara. The building is in the shape of a Cross with a unique nave. The church was entirely built with square shape stones. In the apse there are traces of frescos from the XVIII century and internally there is a travertine altar from the third century. There was also an antique hermitage, but no trace of it is left, it was composed by small cells in stone and wood. According to the historian lacobili, the abbey was founded in 1017 by San Romualdo who lived the last years of his life in total seclusion.

Gualdo Tadino Located in an uncontaminated and striking context, which makes it "must" destination. is situated at the brims of the Mount Serrasanta by the Via Flaminia, between the Valleys of Chiascio and . It was an Umbrian village called "Tarsina", then placed under the control of Rome which renamed it Tadinurn. In 217 b.C., it was completely destroyed by Annibale (after the Battle of Trasimeno), then in 49 b.C. by Giulio Cesare and in 410 by the Visigoths. Even Gualdo Tadino was involved in the battle of Tagina (552) during which Narsete (Byzantine general) defeated the army. Destroyed by Emperor Ottone III (996) and subsequently by a fire. It was rebuilt in 1237 on the present Colle di Sant'Angelo when it found the liberal communal institution under the protection of Federico II. Later on it was placed under the domination of Perugia thereafter it went under the Church domination in 1458. A big earthquake on 27th July 1751, destroyed most parts of the medieval characteristics of the town. Only in 1833 with Pope Gregorio XVI the town took the name of Gualdo (Waldurn) Tadino (Tadinum) and in 1860 became part of the Italian Reign. In the centre of Gualdo Tadino, in the Piazza Martiri della Liberta, one can admire the Cathedral of San Benedetto and the church of San Francesco, built by the between the Xl11 and the XIV century.

Rocca Flea The antique Rocca Flea is located on the top of the colle which is called "Flebea" for its closeness to the river Flebeo. The Rocca is a massive structure surrounded by a strong wall belt and it is one of the most important examples of defensive military architecture in Umbria. Founded around the X century, initially it was owned by the Atti, Sirs of Foligno, it then passed on to lnnocenzo ill in 1198. In 1240 Federico Ii restored it and enlarged it, creating the big wall belt around the town with seventeen towers and four doors. This is the final structure which will then become the benchmark of all the following governesses which will come after him in Gualdo Tadino. At the beginning of the '90's the restoration to consolidate the Rocca started, during which, the Cappella of Sant'Angelo de Flea with its wonderful frescos from the fourteenth and fifteenth century was discovered. Inside, the Pinacoteca can be visited, the collection of historic ceramics, and in the old church, the Antiquarium which has archaeological findings that come from the prehistoric period to the high medieval time. Gualdo Tadino, also called "citta della ceramica" (the ceramic town) famous around the world for its extraordinary and antique artistic ceramic production, in particular for its production with secret treatment procedure "al riflesso". It is also the site of the Mostra Concorso Internazionale della Ceramica. Gubbio Located at the bottom of mount Ingino, the first settlements in the eugubino territory seem to go back to the prehistoric period. It was an important political and religious area of Umbria, as the Tavole Eugubine, the historical epigraphic documents preserved in the Palazzo dei Consoli testifies. This document has a huge value as it is of Italian pre-roman time, it is composed by seven engraved bronze plates from Ii century b.0 , written in Umbrian alphabet and in Latin which describe the religious rites, the uses and the social- political structure of the time. Roman ruins, the church of San Giovanni Battista set in the most antique area of town, Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo typical eugubina construction from XIII century are all to be seen.

Palazzo dei Consoli The Palazzo dei Consoli was built in XIV century by the government of the town and it is one of the most important and striking architecture in Italy. It is a gothic style building, sixty meters high, it faces the Piazza Grande, vital centre of town in the XIV century, its fan-shaped staircase takes to the main entrance door. It was built from 1332 to 1349, and engineered by Angelo da . The beautiful Sala dell'Arengo, magnificent room which takes the entire surface of the building, where popular meetings used to take place in the XIV century. It is now, the Muse() Civico where Umbrian antique archaeological findings, a numismatic collection and a picture gallery are exposed.

Perugia The first known settlement goes back to XI and X century b. C.. It was an Etruscan town and with the battle of Sentino (295 b.C.) it becomes part of Rome, even though maintaining its language and to some extent some autonomy. Thriving Roman Municipality with the name of "Augusta Perusia". With the victory of the Byzantines over the Ostrogoths the town became of Byzantine dominance, and one of the strategic towns against the Ducato Longobardo of . Perugia remained Byzantine until the VIII century. In the year 1000 it became a free Commune. In 1531 with Pope Paolo III, the church took over its control, the construction of the Rocca Paolina is a tangible sign of it. In 1860, Perugia takes part of the birth of the Italian Reign.

To be seen: The Arco Etrusco; the Rocca Paolina, (fortress built by Pope Paolo Ill in 1540); the Pozzo Etrusco. The Fontana Maggiore is dated 1275 —1278 by Fra Bevignate da Perugia, it is one of the main monuments of the city and one of the principal medieval sculptures. It is built in two polygonal and concentric shape baths with above it a bronze bath. The two marble baths are decorated with bas-reliefs with scenes of agricultural tradition and representing the pheoble culture by Nicola and Giovanni Pisanu. In the same square, Palazzo dei Priori is located, it is a gothic building that was the headquarters of the city's government, it now hosts the Galleria Nazionale dell'Llmbria which contains master-works of Italian culture by Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Pinturicchio and by II Perugino.

Assisi The origins of Assisi go back to the XIV — VIII century b.C.. The town developed on the borders of the Etruscan territories, until the Byzantine battle, the Romans imposed their dominance. It was a prosperous period for Assisi, it became Municipium and it was an important economical and social core of the Roman Empire. With the fall of the Roman Empire, Assisi got to know the era of the barbaric invasions and of the Byzantine conquer, until it became a Free commune in the XI century. Francesco was born in Assisi between 1181 and 1182, the future saint, who with his actions influenced the local and the entire history of humanity. After this Assisi became part of the Popal State, until 1860 when it took part of the birth of the Italian Reign. To be seen: The amphitheater and the Rocca Maggiore; the Piazza del with the Palazzo del Podesta and the Torre del Popolo; the Eremo delle Carceri on mount Subasio.

The Basilica of san Francesco Tradition wants that Francesco indicated the location of his berial; and it is in this same place where the Basilica was built. Master architects, artisans and painters were called up for its construction. The frescos attributed to Giotto are stunning, where the saint's life is represented. The most famous artists of the time, Giotto, Cimabue and Simone Martini, collaborated on the decoration of the Basilica. Since then Assisi, becomes for all pilgrims a fundamental trip.

Valfabbrica It is of medieval origins, Gubbio and Assisi battled for its acquisition until it became part of the Church State. Only parts of the surrounding walls of the town and a Pieve in Roman style with prestigious frescos in the inside (from the first half of XIV century) remain from the medieval period. Located on the left side bank of the Chiascio river, on the antique route Gubbio-Assisi, Valfrabrica has its origins and its history tied to one of the most antique still existing abbeys of Umbria, the Monastero Benedettino di Santa Maria in Vado Fabricae (820). The abbey is set along the road that connects Assisi to Gubbio, which was run along many times by San Francesco, where he used to stop to pray.

This important and antique route, today called "sentiero Francescano della Pace" (Franciscan peace route), is the destination of pelgrims and naturalistic excursions, where it is still possible to relive the religious- mystical experience of the Saint. The still existent walls and towers of the antique castle from medieval times is of great interest.

Grotte di Frasassi One of the most striking European complex karst, can be seen 60 klm from , in the natural Park Cola Rossa and of Frasassi, just a few kilometres away from Genga. The naturalistic value of this complex is due to its particular formation and to its extraordinary ecosystem, which was mostly discovered in the most isolated area. In fact, the endless work of the streams of the rivers Esino and Sentino, had a secondary role in the formation of the caves, which were primarily due to the action of the mineral sulphureous waters coming up from the bottom of the earth. Entirely developed over 30 klm, placed on eight different geological levels, the marchigian caves, internally reveal a striking world filled up by candid stalagmites and stalactites, emerald blue lakes and shinny curtains which inlay the vaults of the caverns. The dominant silence of the huge spaces hidden in the mountain is only broken by the slow distill of the water drops which makes the Grotte di Frasassi a complex still alive and in constant evolution. Internally, only one vertebrate lives in it: the geo-newt. The tourist path, which is of easy access, enables an easy visit through the five principal rooms covering 1,5 klm, out of the 20 already explored up to today, taking about 75 minutes.

Archaeological and Speleological Museum The visit to this very interesti museum, make it easier to clarify the knowledge about the evolution of the surrounding territory. The museum is located in the cenoby of the San Vittore delle Chiuse abbey. It hosts precious traces from the bronze era and pre-historical findings from the Gila di Frasassi and in the necropolis of Pianello di Genga. The most famous finding is the huge ichthyosaur's fossil going back to the Jurassic age, when the Cola was still covered by sea. It is the best conserved specimen (of about 4mt x 2,50mt) of the two found in Europe. The third section of the museum, is dedicated to geology and to fos eleology; it shows the visitor the rmation of the Grotte and of the Cola. Natural Park of the Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi The natural park of the Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi, is the "green heart" of the Marche region. Established in September 1997, it is the largest protected area of the region in fact it covers 9167 hectares including the hypogeum complex of the Gratte di Frasassi. The park area is the ideal habitat for the preys, such as the kestrel and the golden eagle. The beech tree woods and the brush woods are the reign of the wolves, foxes, wild boars, badgers, squirrels and porcupines. The clear waters of the Sentino contain trout, beards, eels, (CAVEDANO) and the rare prawns.

Cantiano The origins of Cantiano go back to the pre-roman period, but it became an important strategic role with the construction of the Flaminia. After the fall of the Roman Empire and subsequently to barbaric incursions, the inhabitants started the fortification of the two hills Colmatrano and Cantiano, where they founded Castrum Canthiani. Cantiano was able to become a free commune after the donation by the eugubini's by Federico ll in 1244. The control of the territory went from Gubbio to the Count Antonio da Montefeltro and after that to the Papal State. The current settlement is partly located on a small hill where ruins of embattled towers dominate which were once part of a fortress. The castle of Cantiano, was the main cause of argument between the Montefeltro di Urbino and the Malatesta di Rimini in 1393 because of its strategic position, it was finally yie-Id. to the Montefeltro and until 1631 it will follow the destiny of the State of Urbino. To be seen: the church of S. Agostino with its Roman door (XIII century); the collegiate church of S. Giovanni Battista where a circle by Eusebio da S. Giorgio (XV century); the churches of S. Nicola and S. Ubaldo,. the Palazzo Comunale in Renaissance style near by the antique Palazzo del Podesta and by the Palazzo dei Priori. The tight Via Fiorucci with its antique buildings from XII century is of great interest. The town centre maintains its noble town aspect thanks to its buildings and churches. A district called "ghetto degli ebrei" with its buildings facing via Fiorucci, is from the medieval period. An authentic "Savonarola" with the Della Rovere coat of arms and the letters "FM" which seems to have belonged to the Duca Francesco Maria II, is kept in the town council. In the town library, many antique works of arts some of which are incunabulum: a precious "De Bello Gallico" from 1480 together with a collection of parchments about the interests of the community written in the language of the beginning of XV century.

Cascata delle Marmore The Velino river covers most of the plateau which surrounds Rieti, but the particular geological configuration of the area brought through the course of the eras the formation of wetland, harmful for salubrity of the area. This is why in 271 b.C., the roman consul Manlio Curio Dentato ordered the construction of the canal (the Cavo Curiano) so to make the stagnant waters drain from the plateau which surrounds Rieti towards the natural jump of Marmore: from there the water went directly in the Nera river. In the course of centuries, the canal, has always been kept and improved.

The Cascate delle Marmore is therefore an artificial water falls, which is one of the hi hest in Europe, as its heights difference is of 165mt. It is located at about 7,5 klm from , nearly at the end of the Valnerina, the long valley dig in the Nera river. Today, the water from the water fall is used for the production of electricity. This is why the water fall isn't always in use but when it is in full function, it assures a spectacular effect.