If you are interested in Renaissance painting, pay a visit to the churches of Santa Maria della Pietà (XVIth C.) with frescoes attributed to Pinturicchio, and the Baroque construction of Santa Croce built in 1610. Over the high altar is Luca Signorelli's fine "Descent from the Cross".
Santa Maria della Reggia (or Regghia), an imposing building on an octagonal plan constructed in mid-l6th C. by Sozi and Lapparelli. We recommend a tour of the surrounding area, with the magnificent castles of Romeggio, Polgeto and Montalto, and also the ruins of the Etruscan town of Bellona.
Waiting to be discovered:
the village of Preggio with its sweet-chestnut fiesta in October. The ancient mediaeval castle rises from 650 m. in a panoramic position, with a charming view of the entire valley. Of particular significance are the Collegiate Chap-ter of SS. Trinità and the Church of S. Maria delle Grazie containing a Madonna attributed to Pinturicchio. The ancient abbey (X-XIth C.) of Camporeggiano is on the trunk road to Gubbio. Yet other fine castles are those of Antognolla and Santa Giuliana.
Not to be missed:
the concerts of Rockin' Umbria, the Photographic Trade-fair (May and November) and the Umbertide-September events (Organic Farming Fair, Festival of the Madonna, folk and musical events).
What to buy:
the traditionally splendid ceramics of Umbertide, and various gastronomic products (wine, cheese and charcuterie).
To be enjoyed:
the local cuisine, in the best Umbrian tradition of spitturned pork, kid and game basted with oil, garlic and rosemary. Also the typical wheat or maize bread cooked on an earthenware griddle to accompany meat or tasty ham. Other specialities; stewed chicken ":alla cacciatora", noodles with giblets, cappelletti and the typical wild produce of the woods, first and foremost the highly prized white truffle. As for the wines: a difficult choice between CO.VI.O, Polidori, Ascagnano and Monte Corona - all D.O.C.
