Attrazioni di Umbria

The exterior of the basilica is notable for its horizontal stripes of pink and white stone and its campanile, which is the tallest in Assisi. Inside, the walls of the dimly lit nave are now white, although they were covered in frescoes until the 17th century. Elsewhere in the church, frescoes dating to the 13th and 14th centuries still remain. To the south of the nave is a small chapel that holds the 12th century crucifix that is said to have spoken to Saint Francis of Assisi.

The 13th-century Fontana Maggiore is undoubtedly the main attraction in Piazza IV Novembre and not only because of its size. The huge area was built in the late 1270s and sits in a prominent location between Perugia's cathedral and the Palazzo dei Priori. It was sculpted by a father-son team from pink and white marble. They depicted scenes from the Old Testament, legends about the founding of Perugia, as well as symbols of the city.

The construction of the fountain was part of a host of city-wide renovations marking Perugia's becoming autonomous, which is why many of the symbols on the fountain promote civic pride. The piazza itself is named for the day World War I ended in Italy.

Questo idilliaco lago perugino è sede di tre isole, tra cui l’Isola Maggiore, uno storico villaggio di pescatori abitato da sole trenta persone. Mentre il popolare lago attira visitatori che lanciano canne da pesca nella speranza di acchiappare qualche pesce, i vigneti circostanti e gli imponenti castelli Guglielmi e Zocco, invitano i viaggiatori ad esplorare gli ambienti caratteristici dell’Umbria.

Tutti comunque concordano sul fatto che il Trasimeno sia la meta ideale per concedersi una giornata di relax. Si possono visitare le isole, fare una gita in barca o solamente dei picnic nei prati; in ogni caso, le splendide rive offrono un incantevole scenario naturale. Nelle vicinanze si trova Castiglione del Lago, una città medievale con negozi e ristoranti deliziosi proprio sulla collina: una destinazione da aggiungere a qualsiasi visita del Lago Trasimeno.

Despite its modest white façade, flanked by four simple Doric pilasters, the Chiesa Nuova, or New Church, is one of Assisi’s most historically important churches, founded on the site of the house of Saint Francis’ home and birthplace. A church has stood on this spot since the 14th century, but the modern-day structure dates back to the early 17th century, when it was built under patronage of King Philip III of Spain, and has since become a significant landmark for pilgrims. The most notable features of the Renaissance-style Chiesa Nuova are the colorful frescoes by Cesare Sermei and Giacomo Giorgetti that adorn the interiors and the adjoining museum and library that offer greater insight into the site’s unique history.