Information on Italy
Territory: 
The region is mostly mountainous and hilly and presents a landscape rich in
woods and water resources. It is crossed by the Apennines, which form numerous
valleys. This region has a comparatively large lake: the Trasimeno.
Cities:
Perugia is the regional capital. Other important cities are Assisi, Gubbio,
Orvieto, Todi, Spoleto,Terni.
Art:
In Umbria the traces of the Etruscan civilization are remarkable, as visitors
can see in Todi, Bettona, Orvieto and Perugia. Spoleto has important Roman
remains; Spello is a city, where the Romans left some impressive remains. Other
important Roman works can be found in Assisi and Gubbio. The Romanesque architecture
thrived in thins region at the beginning of the twelfth century: some beautiful
examples are the Cathedrals of Spoleto and Assisi, St. Silvestro and St. Michele
in Bevagna. The Gothic style reached very high levels, and imposing examples are
present in almost every city. The Renaissance can be seen in magnificent
monuments in Perugia, Gubbio, Todi, but it enjoyed a smaller development than other
styles.
Museums:
In Perugia there is the National Gallery of Umbria, which is one of the most
important exhibition of the Gothic painting, with masterpieces by Duccio di
Boninsegna, Beato Angelico, Piero della Francesca. The National Archaeologic Museum
of Umbria houses a splendid and very rich Etruscan collection. Assisi,
birthplace of St. Francis, one of the greatest figures of Christianity, has the superb
Basilica of San Francesco with the world famous Giotto’s frescoes, showing
in 28 splendid paintings the life of the Saint; the Pinacoteca Civica and the
Cathedral’s Museum. Spoleto has the Gallery of Contemporary Art. In Gubbio
there is the Civic Museum, which holds the famous “Eugubine tables”:
seven bronze plates, from the second century B.C. Foligno can offer the tourists
the Archaeologic Museum and the Pinacoteca Civica.
To be visited:
Rich in history and in nature, Umbria offers the Falls of the Marmore, which
are the highest in Italy; the sources of the Clitunno and Mount Subasio. The
Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Rocca Maggiore. The ancient city of
Spoleto offers the Roman Theater and Druso’s Arch. Near Perugia, people can
visit the Ipogeo del Volumni, which is an Etruscan tomb.