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Umbertide

Description

The town's name was originally Fratta, from the Latin word "frangere" (in memory of the devastation of the ancient Roman settlement by the Goths), after the unification of Italy, it was changed to the current one, in honor of Prince Umberto of Savoy. Municipality in the province of Perugia, located in the Tiber Valley, the territories are washed by the river Tiber river and by the stream Reggia. A typical medieval town surrounded by long stretches of fortified walls, still visible today and in the area there are also several interesting castles.
The findings, from the Bronze Age, confirm the presence of settlements in the area, built by the Umbrian populations. Recently an Etruscan tomb has been unearthed, while other traces attest the Roman colonization. After the fall of the Empire, the Umbrian territories, with their poor defenses, were exposed to the Barbarian raids. The Goths destroyed the Roman settlement, where today stands the current main centre. The official date of foundation of the old center is uncertain: for some historians, it was in the X century, while others anticipate it to the IX. For sure, the town's construction took place by order of the sons of Umberto Ranieri. The first documented evidence of Umbertide dates back to the late XII century, when the local lord, the Marquis of Uguccione, swore allegiance to the nearby town of Perugia. In the second half of the XIV century, even though under the domain of the Lords of Perugia, the inhabitants were granted with the opportunity to have their own statutes. Contended between Perugia and the Papal State, the town was pillaged by the troops of Napoleon, who a few years later recognized Umbertide with the title of City. The main centre suffered several casualties and serious damage during the bombardments of the Second World War.

Attractions:
- the Collegiate Church, built in the second half of the XVI century, still features its original structure: an octagonal plan with niches, cornices, columns and a circular XVII century floor in polychrome terracotta. Inside are preserved paintings by the artist Pomarancio, a gilded wooden tabernacle, a XIX century crucifix and other valuable artworks;
- the Church of San Francesco, whose construction began in the late XIII century, in Gothic style with a stone façade interrupted by a large rose window. Inside are preserved some early XVII century altars and a remarkable fresco of the XV century;
- the Abbey of San Salvatore of Montecorona, in the district of Badia, the result of the superimposition of two churches of different periods and styles;
- the Church and the Museum of Santa Croce, famous for the presence of the Deposition by the artist Signorelli;
- the XV century Church of Santa Maria, which preserves within a fresco by the famous artist Pinturicchio;
- the Abbey of Saints Ippolito and Cassiano of the Romanesque period;
- the XVI century Hermitage of Montecorona;
- the Castles of Civitella Ranieri, of Montalto, of Romeggio, of Polgeto and of Serra Partucci;
- the medieval fortress.
- the Theatre of the Riuniti.

Map

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