{"id":2757,"date":"2021-12-15T11:53:47","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T10:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.my-rental-homes.com\/blog\/?p=2757"},"modified":"2021-12-15T11:53:47","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T10:53:47","slug":"best-things-to-do-in-spoleto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.my-rental-homes.com\/blog\/best-things-to-do-in-spoleto\/","title":{"rendered":"Best things to do in Spoleto"},"content":{"rendered":"

Best things to do in Spoleto<\/h1>\n
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Like Orvieto<\/a>, Spoleto<\/strong> is one of the most charming towns in Umbria, Italy. Tourists appreciate it for the historic buildings, the artistic heritage<\/strong>, as well as for the wonderful surrounding landscape<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Although its origins date back to the 12th century BC<\/strong>, it was during the Renaissance<\/strong> that the town became a real cultural center.<\/p>\n

If you are planning a holiday in Umbria you should definitely visit this town.<\/p>\n

Let’s find out the best things to do in Spoleto<\/h2>\n

First of all, to visit Spoleto you need comfortable shoes<\/strong>. The historic center is located on a hill, Colle Sant’Elia, and is a continuous ups and downs.<\/p>\n

Here are the must-visit attractions in town.<\/p>\n

The Rocca Albornoziana<\/h3>\n

Rocca Albornoziana<\/strong> is a fortress that stands on Monte Sant\u2019Elia.\u00a0It\u2019s the first thing you notice when you arrive in the historic center of Spolteto.<\/p>\n

Pope Innocent VI<\/strong> commissioned\u00a0 it in 1359 to host illustrious personalities of the time, and to strengthen the power of the papacy in central Italy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If the exterior of the fortress is impressive but simple<\/strong>, the interiors are more refined and often decorated with frescoes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

However, what immediately stands out is the monumental Torre Maestra.<\/strong> The tower divides the the courtyard of arms to the courtyard of honor. The two courts are connected by a frescoed arch with the coat of arms of Pope Gregory XIII.<\/p>\n

Over time, the Albornoziana fortress lost its importance. Indeed, it was a prison until 1982. After a massive restoration, in 2007 it was open to the public<\/strong>. Inside there is a museum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Cathedral of Spoleto<\/h3>\n

The Cathedral of Spoleto, or Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta<\/strong>, is the cornerstone of Piazza del Duomo<\/strong>. It is one of the most ancient buildings in Spoleto<\/strong>; its construction started during the 12th century, as a rebuilding of an older church.<\/p>\n

The Church is an example of Romanesque architecture<\/a>.
\nThe light stone fa\u00e7ade shows a remarkable architraved door, rose windows and ogival arches. But the most peculiar feature is the mosaic portraying Christ giving a Benediction<\/strong>. It is not only stunning but also intriguing, since there are no information about its creator and its style was truly avant-garde at the time<\/strong> (1207).<\/p>\n

The Fountain of the Mascherone<\/h3>\n

The Fountain of Mascherone<\/strong> is one of the most typical monuments of Spoleto.
\nIt was built in 1608 as a tribute to Pope Clement XII<\/strong>, who attended the restoration of the Spoleto Aqueduct.<\/p>\n

Its name derives from the large face carved in the stone<\/strong> from which the water comes out. This face has human and feline features and probably depicts a pagan divinity.<\/p>\n

Ponte delle Torri, the Bridge of Towers<\/h3>\n

Near the Rocca Albornoziana is the symbol of Spoleto; Ponte delle Torri, the Bridge of Towers<\/strong>. It\u2019s a magnificent bridge made of limestone<\/strong> and supported by ten pillars. It is about 230 meters long and 80 meters high.<\/strong> At one end of the bridge there is another small fortress, the Fortilizio dei Mulini.<\/p>\n

We don’t know exactly when the bridge was built, but experts think it is a medieval modification to a Roman aqueduct<\/strong>. In fact, on the side of the passage there is a 12 meters high wall over which water flowed in ancient times.<\/p>\n

Today the bridge is no longer accessible due to stability problems. But it is still impressive to see<\/strong>.<\/p>\n