Spoleto is a medieval walled city in the central Umbria region of Italy. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the lower parts of its wall date from the 6th century BC. The first Roman settlement, Spoletium , began in 241 BC. C. and there are Roman remains throughout the historic center.
The city is built on a hillside with most of the sites in the upper compact city. Above the city there is a medieval Rocca and the most famous sight, the Ponte delle Torri or the Bridge of Towers, crosses the deep gorge on one side of the Rocca.
Spoleto Location and Transportation
Spoleto is one of the largest cities in southern Umbria. It’s about an hour southeast of Perugia, the main Umbrian town, about 90 minutes east of Orvieto and the A1 motorway. Spoleto is on the main road (SS 75) that goes down the Umbra Valley from Assisi. There are several parking lots outside the walls from where you can walk into the center. If you drive, be careful around restricted traffic areas in the center.
Spoleto is on the Rome – Ancona train line and the train station is about 1 km from the lower town. You can walk or take a bus that connects the station with the upper part of the city. The city is also connected by bus to other Umbrian cities.
Where to stay in Spoleto
Two highly rated 4-star hotels are the Palazzo Dragoni Residenza d’Epoca near the cathedral and the Hotel San Luca on the outskirts of the city, near the amphitheater. See more Spoleto hotels on Hipmunk.
There are excellent restaurants in the city, making it a good base for exploring southern Umbrian cities such as Assisi, Orvieto, and Todi. Country houses, such as Valle Rosa, and agritourism lodgings are also available outside the city.
What to see in Spoleto:
- Ponte delle Torri , Puente de las Torres, is a 14th century bridge built on the foundations of a Roman aqueduct. The bridge is approximately 775 feet long and at the highest point, it is almost 300 feet above the gorge. On the other side of the bridge there is a small fortification tower. You can usually walk across the bridge for stunning views of the valley and gorge below.
- Rocca Albornoziana, near the bridge, sits on the top of the hill above Spoleto. Currently, you can only visit with a guided tour. Tours run approximately once an hour and some tours in English are scheduled daily, check at the box office. A shuttle bus takes you to the entrance where you will also have a beautiful view over the valley. Rocca Albornoziana was built on the foundations of the Roman acropolis in the 14th century and served as the seat of the local pontifical governors. It has six towers, two large courtyards, and some beautiful frescoes. Inside there is a museum and during the summer there are often shows.
- The Piazza del Duomo and the Duomo are at the foot of a scenic staircase. Erected on the site of an early Christian temple, the original Duomo was built in the 12th century. Its Romanesque façade was remodeled during the Renaissance and now has a beautiful pink stone, 8 rose windows and golden mosaics. Above the entrance is a Bernini bust of Pope Urban VIII and there are some fine 15th century frescoes in the apse. The Caio Melisso Theater , one of the first theaters in Italy, is on one side of the square.
- Piazza del Mercato , one of Spoleto’s central squares, was once the site of the Roman Forum. There is an interesting fountain built between 1746 and 1748. Around the square, you will find bars, ice cream parlors and some restaurants. The Roman Arch of Drusus , built in 23 AD, was the entrance to the Roman Forum. Nearby is an ancient temple below what is now the Church of S. Ansano .
- Casa Romana , the Roman house, is just above the Piazza del Mercato . The Roman House is believed to have been the home of Vespasia Polla , mother of the Emperor Vespasian, responsible for the construction of the Roman Colosseum. The house is built around an atrium and has mosaic floors and remains of frescoes.
- The Roman theater was built in the first century. Combined with the theater is the Museum of Archeology with exhibits from the Bronze Age, the Iron Age and the Roman Age. The theater is now used as the venue during the Festa dei Due Mondi.
- The church of San Salvatore, outside the city walls, dates back to the 4th century and is part of the World Heritage site, Longobards in Italy.
The main tourist office is located in Piazza della Liberta , a large square in the upper part of the city. Here you can buy a discounted combo ticket to see the Casa Romana , the Museum of Modern Art and the Pinacoteca Comunale . Next to the tourist office there is an office that makes hotel reservations.
Spoleto Festival
Spoleto hosts the famous Festival dei 2 Mondi, an international festival of music, art and performances that runs from late June to mid-July each year.
