Umbria

Known as the ‘green heart of Italy’, Umbriais a beautiful region of rolling hills, woods, streams and valleys that gives way to high mountain wilderness. It is well known for the beauty and profusion of its medieval hilltowns.

Umbria’s main attractions are the Vale of Spoleto and the hill towns of Spoleto and Assisi. The birthplace of Saint Francis, Assisi attracts vast numbers of art lovers and pilgrims throughout the year who visit his burial place, the Basilica di San Francesco, built in 1228, two years after his death. With a scenic woodland setting, Spoleto was once an important Roman colony. The town has the remains of a Roman amphitheatre, reputedly where ten thousand Christian martyrs were slaughtered, and a variety of Romanesque churches. It also boasts an impressive 14th-century aqueduct. 

Near Perugia, the regional capital, is Lake Trasimeno, the fourth largest lake in Italy. It has plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming and water sports. The lakeside town of Castiglione del Lago is a good place to relax and unwind on the small sandy beaches; from here, boats make regular trips tothe Isola Maggiore, one of the lake’s three islands. Further north is Gubbio, the most thoroughly medieval of all the Umbrian towns. A charming place full of twisting streets with soft pink stone houses and terracotta tiled rooftops, its beauty is enhanced by the forest-clad Apennine mountains looming up behind.

Umbria has two provinces:  Perugia and Terni. 

Places of interest

Deruta: Town renowned for its ceramics. 

Monte Cucco Regional Park: Offers organised trails and outdoor activities.

Monti Sibillini: National park with good walking trails.

Norcia: Mountain town, birthplace of St Benedict.

Orvieto: Boasts one of the greatest Gothic churches in Italy.

Spello: Renowned for frescoes in the 12/13th-century church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Roman ruins.

Todi: Striking hilltown, 13th-century church and palaces.

Cuisine of the region

Simple pastas and roast meats are popular, especially pork and la porchetta (whole suckling pig stuffed with rosemary or sage, roasted on a spit). Truffles can be found in abundance, particularly in Noria, which also produces some of the country’s best hams, sausages and salamis. The rivers yield fish such as eel, pike, trout and crayfish. Locally grown vegetables include lentils, beans, celery and cardoons. Good quality olive oil is readily available. Orvieto is a popular Umbrian white wine.

Agnello alla cacciatora: Lamb with a sauce of anchovies, garlic and rosemary.

Crescionda: Rich traditional cake prepared with almond biscuits, lemon rind and bitter chocolate.

Fichi: Candied figs with almonds and cocoa.

Tartufo nero: Black truffles.