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Touristic itineraries
Tour of the historic centres
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From Foligno all the historic centres in the District
are easily reached in a few minutes. It has been dubbed 'the Rose of Umbria' for the sober beauty of the countryside and probably also for its air scented with the blossoms of broom and linden.
Before setting out on the tour, we suggest a visit of the many attractions to be singled out in the historic centre of Foligno itself.
First, Palazzo Trinci, built in 1389 and former seat of the Seigniory, then the many works of art in the churches and oratories, and the elegant architecture of the family palaces.
Next stop, Spello, just 6 Km from Foligno, a fascinating town with important Roman architectural remains set in a mediaeval town.
The Museum, Santa Maria Maggiore and Sant'Andrea house the most significant works of ancient Umbrian art and archeological finds.
From Spello, on to Bevagna, formerly "Mevania", only 9 Km away along the Monti Martani SS 316 main road.
In the Museum and adjoining premises many highly important exhibits - the finds, mosaics and vestiges bear witness to the Roman civilisation which made of Bevagna a vital economic and cultural centre.
The streets of the historic centre converge in a magnificent square in which two Romanesque marvels soar upwards: San Silvestro and San Michele Arcangelo.
Leaving Bevagna, only 5 Km away we reach Montefalco, which, together with Foligno, was Frederick II's favourite town.
The Civic Museum of San Francesco contains an important cycle of 15th century painting and is a significant source for studies of Umbrian-Tuscan art.
After Montefalco, along the SS3 Flaminia main road, Trevi is reached (11 Km from Foligno). Its fine historic centre provides fascinating opportunities for the discerning visitor: the Civic Museum and the Flash Art Museum.
After Trevi, along the ancient Flaminia Way, the road winds up to Nocera Umbra (22 Km from Foligno) a mediaeval historic centre with plentiful fountains of very pure water and an interesting Civic Museum.
The "Taste and Tradition" Tour
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THE WINE: The territory which stretches between the municipalities of Bevagna, Gualdo Cattaneo, Montefalco and Castel Ritaldi brings forth "oenological fruits" of great interest in a farming landscape.
The gently rolling hills are particularly well-suited to the production of red wines. The "Sagrantino secco", heady, robust, stern, raw-boned yet with a benign nature like the people of these parts, goes well with grilled meats: "scottadito" lamb cutlets, pork chops, pigeon and game.
- MUSHROOMS AND TRUFFLES: The diversified geological and altimetric structure of the local territory brings about a corresponding
diversity of mushrooms and truffles which grow here in many habitats. The variety of soils, especially in the Val Topina, of loamy and calcium-rich earth, and of pink and white limestone, consent the growth of the white, the black and the "scorsone" truffles, which are instead to be found singly in other parts of the District - the pride of a territory which preserves its original geometric harmony of intense and enlightened cultivation.
Particularly rich in this delicacy of nature are the woods and meadows of Valtopina, Nocera Umbra, Colfiorito and Sellano, where many varieties of mushrooms are to be found.
- OIL: The manifold characteristics of quality of Umbrian oil stem from the happy combination of several factors: the varieties of olive-trees, the climatic conditions, and the loving care with which the farmers tend their trees.
Especially in the hillside areas of Spello, Foligno and Trevi, from the loving skill of the producers and favourable soil and climatic conditions springs an extra-virgin oil which is perfectly balanced in all its typical elements. Yellow-green in colour, the aroma is fruity, the flavour lightly bitter and pungent with an aftertaste fully reminiscent of the characteristics of the fresh fruit.
It is no coincidence that Foligno organises the "Days of Olive Oil", a national event that is held yearly in early December. Trevi too, organises fairs and events to turn their product to best account.
Particularly intriguing is the "Bruschetta Festival" (toasted seasoned bread) held in Spello during the month of February.
Itinerary of the Apennine Landscape
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Along the SS.75 one travels through the Menotre Valley. The first locality is Pale, a place rich in natural and historic attractions.
Further on, the Colfiorito Marsh is reached. This humid area offers natural beauty, surrounded by extensive limestone cave systems which alternate with mountain tops crowned by castellars, the fortified dwellings of the ancient Umbrians.
Following the courses of the underground and surface waters, we come to Nocera Umbra, the town of fountains and springs of water low in mineral content surrounded by woodlands and river valleys.
Then on to Valtopina across the Subasio National Park, steeped in Franciscan atmosphere and spirituality from which nearby Assisi may be reached, or else Spello, nestling as it were, in the guardian embrace of soaring Monte Subasio.
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