Spoleto

The city famous for the Spoleto festival, Spoleto Italy is regarded as the most attractive and charming towns of Umbria. This Umbrian town is home to about 38,000 people, situated on the slopes of the sacred mountain in the Apennines. The city is at a distance of 39 miles southeast from Perugia and 78 miles north of Rome. The beautiful hill- town is full of beautiful and interesting architecture, which comes to life during the festival dei Due Mondi.

Spoleto Italy began as a Bronze Age settlement and fought the brutal invader Hannibal in the 3rd century, as a Roman town. During the period of Dark ages the city became a stranglehold for many powers. The city is strategically situated on the ancient Via Flaminia from Rome to Ravenna. In the 8th century, the Lombards made Spoleto the capital of their empire. The duke ruled most of the central Italy after it was appointed. With the turn of the 12th century, the city saw its nightfall as it fell into Papal hands. This city is divided into two halves with the first newer Lower Town, which was broadly rebuilt after World War II. The second part is the well-preserved medieval Upper Town home of the amazing Duomo. Today the city is a medieval city, possessing scenic setting, and home to number of ancient sites, most notably the Duomo, with Filippo Lippi's last fresco cycle, the many Romanesque churches, and the Roman theater, now restored and once again in use.

An attractive destination like Spoleto is all-year-round destination, with some interesting sights, fine museums and cathedrals. However, it is the Spoleto festival in Italy brings the city to life during the months of June and July. The city has a wide-ranging accommodation but the hotels in Spoleto, Italy are fully booked during the festival. It is recommended to book your hotels in advance if visiting the area during this time of the year.

Start you Spoleto city tour with a city map and get going for a great experience. Visit Duomo which is the city’s best tourist sites, built around the twelfth century. This is a beautiful cathedral set against a background of hills and valleys. Duomo cathedral is a blend of different styles, and boasts an apse frescoed by Fra Filippo Lippi, whose tomb lies in the church. Admire the works of Umbrian artists like Perugino in the town's Pinacoteca, or art museum, which occupies part of the city hall. Amongst the Spoleto's Roman ruins is a Roman theatre, just off Piazza della Liberta. When in the area pay a visit to an archeological museum that contains local statues and artifacts. Besides, there are two Roman arches, the Arco Romano and the Arco di Druso, and a Casa Romana or Roman house, which is worth a visit offering an atmospheric spot with attractive mosaics. Take on a guided tour to the Papal fortress Rocco in the town, if you fancy a twinge of horror. The fortress was used as a prison until the 1980s, where one can today see incredible views and interesting interiors in the former cells.

Spoleto festival in Italy is an annual affair, held in the heart of Umbria between the months of June and July. This festival is famous as ‘Festival of the two Worlds’, with the first edition starting off in 1958 inaugurated by Gian Carlo Menotti. After that, it has become a center of big performances of dance, prose and lyrics. The festival today is a spectacle to watch out for because of the fact that the Maestro Menotti personally chooses the artists among the most talented professionals of the sector. The festival also sees number of most promising young talents taking part. Lasting for a fortnight the city becomes very busy and accommodation is difficult to find.

The festival venue is the scenic piazza in front of the Duomo, where the opening and closing concerts take place, along with the Roman Theatre and a range of churches, theatres and palazzi. Festival draws big names from the art world, and the programs are very good. The Festival shows include classical and modern music opera, ballet, visual arts and cinema.