Umbria and its territory

Umbria defined as the Green Heart of Italy is the homeland of Trasimeno’s Lake. Among the main towns of artistic interest like for example Perugia, Assisi, Spello, there a lot of smallest villages surrounding the Lake.

Perugia

About 30 Km from the camping far, Perugia is easily reached by train, car or bus. Historically, Perugia has seen many controlling powers. It is first heard of as a settlement of Umbrians, and then, under the Etruscans, rose to a position of eminence among the cities of the High Tiber Valley. Fought over by Mark Antony and Octavius Caesar, it was finally won by the latter and named Augusta. In the year 547, it fell to Totila, and then to the Byzantine Empire, before becoming a city state allied to the Papacy. It bowed to Papal supremacy in 1370 after the peace of Bologna. The following centuries saw turmoil and trouble in the walled stronghold, with the nobility waging internecine wars, and power passing from one hand to another. Finally, in 1540, it was placed under direct Papal rule. The Popes continued to hold authority in the town, apart from brief snatches when it was occupied by the French and the Roman Republic, till it merged with the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. City of chocolates, churches and music, Perugia is a splendid mix of the old and the new, the spiritual and the carnal, of tradition and modernity. It is situated on a hill, and is a charming walled city. The walls enclose history as well as some of the best art works of Italy. Narrow streets radiate from squares lined with exciting shops and eating places, and the view of the hillside falling away from the city walls is spectacular to say the least. To see: Piazza IV Novembre, Fontana Maggiore, Palazzo del Capitano, Cattedrale di S.Lorenzo, Palazzo dei Priori, Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, Chiesa di San Francesco al Prato, L’Arco Etrusco, Palazzo Gallenga, Porta e Chiesa di san Pietro, Basilica di San Domenico, Rocca Paolina, Corso Vannucci, Ipogeo dei Volumni.

Assisi

About 40 Km from the camping far, Assisi is easily reached by train or car. Surrounded by olive trees and cypresses it is situated on the Subasio Mountainside. The charming town of Assisi offers tourists a wealth of tranquillity and this is amongst the most attractive destinations that you are likely to encounter in Umbria. Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis (San Francesco), patron saint of animals and ecology, and its undeniable charm and appeal attracts huge numbers of visitors and religious pilgrims, who arrive here each year - literally millions. To see: Basilica di San Francesco (painted by Giotto), diveded in Chiesa Superiore, Chiesa Inferiore e Cripta; Piazza del Comune, Duomo di San Rufino, Rocca, Chiesa di Santa Chiara; L’Eremo delle Carceri, Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli, Chiesa di San Damiano (where San Francio composed Cantico delle Creature).

Spello

About 60 km from the camping away, Spello is a big medieval village built with evocative grey stones. Situated at the foot of Subasio Mount it is an interesting city to be visited. To visit: Porta Venere, Santa Maria Maggiore, cappella Baglioni, Rocca.

Cascata delle marmore

Easily reached by car, represents one of the most interesting natural reserve of Italy. Artificially built by Consul Curio Dentato on 271 B.C. making pipe Velino waters to Nera waters with a hop of 160 mt.