Our Territory:
FORELLO GORGES – Tiber River Park, Lake Corbara
These river gorges, where water has carved through travertine creating numerous interconnected caves and cavities with chambers and tunnels at different levels, are a marvel of the Tiber River Park. In the Pozzi della Piana area, a 2500-meter underground system has been discovered, where lithic and bone artifacts, as well as coarse pottery attributable to the Neolithic period, have been found. It is interesting to take a short detour to reach the panoramic viewpoint of Roccaccia, overlooking the gorges. Today, guided tours can be conducted in complete safety. The landscape is characterized by high travertine rock walls, often opened by cavities and caves, that drop steeply to the Tiber River, which flows through the narrow valley floor. A natural border and element of commercial exchange, the river long marked the dividing line between the Umbrian peoples, settled along its left bank, and the Etruscans, on the right. The waterway, which crosses much of the current Umbrian territory, also played a fundamental role in mediating economic and cultural exchanges with populations connected to the Tiber. The historical relevance of the river to the territory is also attested by literary sources, which describe it as widely navigable and used for the transport of goods. On the banks of the Tiber, in this area, Roman terracotta factories also arose (whose finds can be admired in Loc. Scoppieto), which exploited the combination of river navigability and the quality of raw materials. The artificial damming of the Tiber created Lake Corbara, whose depths reach 50 meters. It is one of the most fish-filled lakes in Italy, and for this reason, it is the setting for numerous national and international fishing competitions.
Nearby, you can visit Baschi, a characteristic Umbrian town that alternates the scenic beauty of Lake Corbara with the monumental beauty of its historic center.
TODI – A visit to the city of Jacopone da Todi does not disappoint those who see it from afar. The medieval atmosphere and the stone of which Todi is rich make it a starting point for exploring the entire Tiber valley. A visit to the city of Todi “necessarily” requires careful tasting of its local cuisine, which offers a wide selection of typical local products. The historic center, Piazza del Popolo with the Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta, the Palazzo dei Priori, and the Art Gallery are worth seeing. Near Todi, there is also the charming village of Montecastello di Vibio, whose Teatro della Concordia boasts the record of being the smallest theater in the world. To learn more, visit www.teatropiccolo.it. Distances > Orvieto (30 km), Assisi (55 km), Perugia (50 km), Terni (40 km), Spoleto (42 km), Gubbio (80 km), Rome (139 km), Florence (197 km).
ORVIETO – Perched on a tufa cliff of volcanic origin, the city of Orvieto is a not-too-small jewel that hides artistic treasures of inestimable value. Famous above all for its splendid Duomo (work begun in the 13th century), the city offers countless other tourist attractions, from the Torre del Moro to the Pozzo di San Patrizio and Pozzo della Cava, from the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo to the Albornoz fortress. However, Orvieto is not only made of monuments, but much of its charm is due to its typical urban layout, characterized by very narrow and intricate alleys with countless historic buildings and churches. Among the latter, of undoubted interest are: the church of San Giovenale, the church of San Domenico, the church of San Francesco, and that of Sant’Andrea.
Etruscan Orvieto – History can also be touched below the cliff, in the immediate vicinity of Orvieto. The Etruscan tombs (mainly identifiable in two necropolises, that of Cannicella and the more famous one of Crocifisso del Tufo) are evidence of a past civilization well rooted in the territory. The remains of the Etruscan temple, called the “Belvedere,” at the gates of the city are also worth seeing. In the city’s museums, it is possible to admire a considerable number of Etruscan artifacts, pottery, jewelry, everyday objects, and paintings. Of great importance are the excavations that are still continuing at the foot of the cliff in the Campo della Fiera area, where, according to some illustrious exponents, the famous Fanum Voltumnae, the religious center, the true Mecca of the Etruscan Dodecapolis, would be hidden underground.
Roman Orvieto – In the surroundings of Orvieto, there is also the suggestive Roman Port of Pagliano. The river port is of considerable archaeological interest. Further north, Ponte Giulio testifies to how Roman architecture is present in the territory. A few kilometers from the city, a Roman furnace and a patrician villa have recently been discovered. Distances > Rome (110 km), Florence (149 km), Perugia (66 km), Terni (75 km), Siena (120 km) Assisi (70 km), Todi (30 km), Bolsena (20 km), Viterbo (45 km).
TERNI – Marmore Waterfalls – Following the Valnerina state road from Terni, you reach the Marmore Waterfalls after just 7 km, certainly a fundamental stop for anyone who decides to visit the natural beauties of Umbria. The Marmore Waterfalls are an artificial work of hydraulic arrangement due to the Romans; it is to them that we owe the 165-meter total water jump of the Velino River into the underlying bed of the Nera River. The spectacular leap of the Marmore Waterfalls has inspired poets and artists of every historical period, including Virgil in the “Aeneid,” Cicero, and, not least, G. Byron in “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.” Near Terni, there is also the famous Carsulae Archaeological Park, an interesting historical-cultural attraction. The city itself, very modern and dynamic, boasts a charming historic center and, just outside, in the open countryside, the famous Basilica dedicated to the famous saint of lovers, Saint Valentine, whose name is celebrated every year with a long period of events full of music and entertainment. Distances > Rome (90 km), Florence (220 km), Perugia (60 km), Orvieto (75 km), Todi (60 km).
PERUGIA – The city stands in the center of the region, with its 5 historic districts enclosed by the Etruscan walls, huge ramparts formed by cyclopean boulders, squared and put together 22 centuries ago and still visible for long stretches. There are numerous monuments and period squares that this city contains, such as Piazza Grande in Perugia (Piazza IV Novembre), a superb monumental complex that includes the Palazzo dei Priori, the Cathedral, and in the center the Fontana Maggiore from the 1200s. At the opposite end of Corso Vannucci, there is a famous garden-belvedere that was created above the base of the Rocca Paolina, the fortress built by Pope Paul III in 1540. The climbs and steps are usually steep, both those that date back to the most remote ages and those traced in more recent times. Near Perugia, you can enjoy the panorama of Lake Trasimeno. With its surroundings, it is perhaps the most characteristic and suggestive part of the territory of Perugia. Surrounded on three sides by rolling hills, it is an extraordinary tourist attraction. Its beaches, its tourist ports, campsites, restaurants, and hotels make it one of the best equipped areas of the Perugian area. Of great importance are the villages around the lake, including Tuoro, Magione, Passignano, and the beautiful Castiglione del Lago with the Rocca del Leone. Trasimeno also boasts an important historical heritage; in fact, in these areas, there are traces of the famous battle of antiquity between Hannibal and the Romans.
ASSISI – In this town nestled on the slopes of Mount Subasio, it is normal that all things speak of Saint Francis, first of all the splendid Basilica with Giotto’s frescoes. Assisi offers countless facets of an ancient history. Its origins, like those of other cities in Umbria, are uncertain. It was originally inhabited by the Umbrian population, which settled in central Italy. Assisi is also rich in interesting Roman finds such as the Forum and the Temple of Minerva. The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Eremo delle Carceri are also worth seeing. Going from Assisi towards the south, towards Foligno, there are also other villages of tourist interest such as Bevagna, Montefalco, Trevi, and Spello. The Franciscan itinerary is recommended, a way to retrace the places of the Saint among small settlements and silent valleys among the splendid Umbrian hills. Distances > Gubbio (45 km), Perugia (15 km), Terni (70 km), Orvieto (70 km), Todi (50 km), Spoleto (45 km), Foligno (25 km).
