Spoleto




Umbria

is an antique green land, where everything is still genuine,where culture and art live together in a fascinating and charming atmosphere.The town of Spoleto,is located at the head of a large, broad valley, surrounded by mountains. Spoleto has always occupied in the History a strategic geographical position.




Spoleto

is a town which is extraordinarily rich historically, its monuments are all linked together in a continuum that knows no interruptions, from Roman age to today.It is unanimously acknowledged among the symbols of international culture.The large quantity of architectural and artistic treasures of Spoleto make of this city one of the most popular tourist destinations in Umbria.The Duomo is a very impressive cathedral with a medieval setting and athmosphere.The historic centre of Spoleto can  be explored on foot and every tourist you will be impressed by the narrow cobbled streets which keep their original historical shape and charm.Absolutely to see the bridge of the Towers described also by the German literary man J.W.Goethe.



Ponte
Ponte
The Ponte delle Torri of Spoleto is 236 mt long and 90 mt high.
It is an huge ten-arcade work that connects Colle Sant' Elia
with Monteluco. It is constituted of a road and a water canal
supported by ogival arcades and stone pillars. It can be reached
after a long fine-view walk around the Rocca. It was built in the
XIII century, probably over the remains of an ancient
Roman aqueduct and it preservs the function of the previous
structure to carry the water of the Cortaccione springs to Spoleto.
Goethe in Spoleto
Goethe in Spoleto
"I climbed up to Spoleto and was on the aqueduct which also serves as a bridge between two mountains. The ten arches of brickwork have stood there so calmly during the centuries, and water still gushes forth everywhere in Spoleto . This, now is the third ancient structure I have seen, all of them with the same grandeur of design..." Johann Wolfgang Goethe ( Italian Journey 1816)
History of Spoleto
History of Spoleto
Umbria is an antique green land, where everything is still genuine,where culture and art live together in a fascinating and charming atmosphere. The town of Spoleto,is located at the head of a large, broad valley, surrounded by mountains. Spoleto has always occupied in the History a strategic geographical position, It appears to have been an important town to the original Umbri tribes, who built walls around their settlement in the 5th century BC, some of which are visible today.
Around the year 217 BC Spoletium was attacked by Hannibal, who was repulsed. During the Second Punic War the city was a useful ally to Rome.It suffered greatly during the civil wars of Caius Marius and Silla. The later, after his victory on Crasso, confiscated the territory of Spoletium (82 BC).From this time forth it was a municipium. Under the empire it seems to have flourished once again, but is not often mentioned in history. Owing to its elevated position Spoleto was an important stronghold during the Vandal and Gothic wars.Under the Longobardi (the Lombards), Spoleto became the capital of an independent duchy, the Duchy of Spoleto (from 570), and its dukes ruled a considerable part of central Italy. In 1354 Cardinal Albornoz (the builder of the castle of Spoleto)brought it once more under the authority of the Papal States.
The Spoleto Cathedral
The Spoleto Cathedral
The Duomo is a very impressive Cathedral with a medieval setting and athmosphere. The thing you ought not to miss in Spoleto is the medieval bridge connecting the Rocca (castle) to Monteluco mountain . It is about 700-800 feet long and crosses a yawning chasm of about 300-400 feet over what must once have been a flowing stream.