Umbria

Territory

The Italian region of Umbria is mostly mountainous and hilly; representing a natural landscape rich in woodlands and water resources. It is crossed by the Apennines by forming numerous valleys. Umbria has a comparatively large lake, the Trasimeno.

Cities

Perugia is the region's capital. Terni, Assisi, Gubbio, Orvieto, Todi and Spoleto are some memorable towns in Umbria.

Art

Umbria has remarkable traces of the Etruscan civilization where visitors are able to see in the cities of Todi, Bettona, Orvieto and Perugia. The city of Spoleto is full of history seen through the impressive Roman ruins. Other important Roman remains can be found throughout Assisi and Gubbio. The Romanesque architecture thrived in this region at the beginning of the twelfth century; some beautiful examples are the Cathedrals of Spoleto and Assisi, St. Silvestro and St. Michele in Bevagna. The Gothic style reached very high levels, and the imposing examples are present in almost every city. The Renaissance era can be seen in magnificent monuments in Perugia, Gubbio, and Todi.

Museums

The National Gallery of Perugia, Umbria has one of the most important exhibitions of Gothic paintings, which includes masterpieces by Duccio di Boninsegna, Beato Angelico and Piero della Francesca. The National Archaeological Museum of Umbria houses a splendid and very rich Etruscan collection. Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, one of the greatest figures of Christianity, has the superb Basilica of San Francesco with the world famous Giotto's frescoes, shown in 28 splendid paintings the life of the Saint at the Pinacoteca Civica and the Cathedral's Museum. Spoleto is famous for the Gallery of Contemporary Art. In Gubbio the Civic Museum holds the famous Eugubine tables (seven bronze plates) from the second century B.C. Foligno offers tourists the Archaeological Museum and the Pinacoteca Civica.

To be visited

Rich in history and in nature, Umbria offers the Falls of the Marmore, visually magnificent with its natural scenery. Besides its' scenic view, the water of the falls are used for hydroelectric power. The ancient city of Spoleto offers the "Festival dei Due Mondi, established in 1958 it is the center stage for theater, music, ballet and the arts, while your there, visit Druso's Arch.. In Perugia, you can visit the Ipogeo del Volumni, which is an Etruscan tomb.

There were times when truffles were considered exchanged goods among nobles, and the search for them was a royal matter. Nowadays truffles are still a "delicacy" for the most demanding palates. Norcia, about 50 kilometers from Spoleto in the mountains, has been the capital of Truffles and the manufacture of Pork products since Roman times. This uncontaminated "Green Island" in the center of Italy is fascinating; its' art, good food, country side, and traditional customs are combined in a unique way.

In Umbria good food is a tradition and art based on the authenticity and quality of simple, strong flavored products: Umbrian wine, olive oil, meat, cheese, truffles, lentils and fresh water fish. The most prestigious Umbrian DOC wines are Red Torgiano Reserve, Sagrantino from Montefalco, the notable Orvieto white wine, Montefalco, and Colli Amerini DOC. The wide range in products is contributed by the variety of terrain and microclimates in the areas mentioned above.

All of this explains why Umbria is one of the top-rated places in Italy in regards to the high quality of life. The civil tradition of the population, varied and interesting history have generated a social climate characterized by a high level of civilization, a great sense of tolerance, and widespread intelligent involvement in managing common problems. A visit to discover the most authentic aspects of Umbria is well worthwhile.

Orvieto can be a starting point for artistic and oeno-gastronomic itineraries. Orvieto "the slow food town" has made taste its banner and founded "Orvieto with Taste". This is an oeno-gastronomic event whose aim is to safeguard the various tastes with tasting schools where palates are trained to appreciate the pleasure of tastes and aromas. And again Orvieto is "the town of wine"; Orvieto D.O.C, its pride and joy enhances any dish and is an ingredient of one of the most typical recipes of the town. Fabro and the Orvieto area are also known as "truffle cities". This precious tuber and other woodland products are on display at the Fair in November. As early as the 1400s Simone Prodenzani was trying out succulent recipes at prodo castle and writing the Saporetto. Genuine cuisine: Potato gnocchi with truffles, pancotto, umbrichelli al'arrabbiata, chick pea and chestnut soup, boar stew, belly of pork with sage and vinegar, Curate's steak, broad bean crostone, cicale (courgette flowers), and St. Joseph's fritters.

Gallina 'mbriaca is a medieval banquet given every year for Shrove Tuesday, tenant farmers used to give the farm owners their two oldest and toughest hens as a gift so as not to reject the gift, they had no choice but to invent a recipe to make the meat edible. The hen is washed in wine and seasoned with salt, garlic and pepper. Many hours later it is cut up into pieces and put to marinate in Orvieto wine and herbs. It is then cooked for four hours in a pan with a tightly sealed lid held down by a weight.

You can experience unknown sensations and enjoy an unexpected first contact with age-old dishes. The banquets are held in the cloisters in the historical centre of Orvieto. Dried fruit and sweet wine, herb soup, white lasagna, boar civieri, roast suckling pig in black sauce, milk curd and spiced biscuits. The Oil must not be forgotten either. In this area it is of superb quality because its acidity is almost zero.

Traditional Cuisine

From the traditional past came"lumachelle" made from flour and water, ham and cheese rolled up in the shape of a snail shell. We also have "tortucce", a delicious fried pastry; aniseed biscuits are first boiled and then baked in the oven according to a medieval recipe flavored ricotta cheese. Finally, a ring shaped cake made with wine, the housewives' re-interpretation in which milk is replaced by wine. Cinerino Cheese is produced in limited quantities and its flavor is unmistakable; it is covered in oak ash and walnut leaves left to mature for a year in cave.