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Agriturismo Villa La Rogaia
Towns, sights, art and culture in Umbria and Tuscany
Assisi, Perugia, Cortona, Arezzo, Siena, Montepulciano, Citta di Castello
The cities and hill towns of Umbria and neighbouring Tuscany are landmarks of European culture. Towns such as Perugia, Assisi, Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, Montepulciano, Panicale or Citta di Castello offer the flair of the Italian way of life, sightseeing and cultural highlights from the Etruscans to the Arte povera, from the renaissance painter Piero della Francesca to the contemporary art of Alberto Burri.
Assisi
Assisi is the spiritual capitol of Umbria and a must on an Umbria itinerary. Its perfect medieval architecture takes us for a travel in time to spiritual and religious life in the middle ages. The Basilica San Francesco with its touching frescoes by Giotto and its solemn and dark crypta surely are a mystic place.
The town itself was completely reconstructed after the devastating earthquake in 1997 and has come back to a new life. You should visit Assisi in autumn, winter or spring when the masses of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world have ceased. Grasp the spirit of this very special place walking through the ancient oak and chestnut woods to St. Francis’ hermitage on the slopes of Monte Subasio.
Perugia
Perugia really comes to life on summer evenings, with shops open until 10 p.m., art markets in the streets and dinner al fresco at tables set outside the many restaurants. The main event is Umbria Jazz Festival in July attracting many international acts - past tars have included Stan Getz, Gil Evans and Wynton Marsalis. The streets ring with the sounds of marching bands from New Orleans and the main piazzas become stages for free concerts. But also at other times of the year you will certainly not be stuck for entertainment in Perugia: Visit the duomo and national gallery with art from Etruscan to modern, be tempted by the famous Baci (kiss) chocolates by Perugino chocolate factory or just watch the Perugians in this young and lively university town.
Arezzo
Everyone knows Arezzo by now. Oscar winning movie La vita è bella by Roberto Benigni took this pretty Italian town to Hollywood fame. Arezzo has a centre of seductive medieval and Renaissance charm. A famous antique market takes place on the piazza with shady arcades every first weekend of the month. The market is great fun also if you did not bring a thick wallet and a furniture van. Chief lure in Arezzo is Piero della Francesca’s cycle of The Story of the True Cross in the church of San Francesco. It has been recently restored and shines with new splendour.
Siena
To many Siena counts among the most beautiful cities in the world. Have a cappuccino at the Campo (main square), crafted like a sloping scallop shell, and enjoy some of the world’s best people-watching. Wander through the streets with elaborate gothic palazzos of white marble and pink Siena brick. The hole place emanates a serene elegance not easily to be found elsewhere. One could spend weeks visiting museums and churches. If you did not bring so much time do not miss the Maestà (Virgin Mary in Majesty) by Duccio at the dome museum: Gothic transcendency on the gentle human features of a Sienese young woman. And stepping out of the museum you might just meet this face in the streets of Siena.
Cortona
Ancient Cortona’s chief beauties are its views, picture-perfect medieval streets and a handful of small churches and museums that contain treasures out of all proportion to the town’s modest size. Discover the paintings by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli who was born at Cortona in the Museo Diocesano. Or join the locals in the cool of the evening (from 6 to 8 p.m.) as they take their customary passeggiata down the main street. Do a lap or two yourself then choose an outdoor table, sip an aperitivo and watch the passing fashion parade.
Montepulciano
Montepulciano is one of Tuscany’s loftiest towns, looking down over peerless pastoral countryside to the hill towns of nearby Umbria. It is known for its robust red wine, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Visit the wine cellars along the main street which are partly from Etruscan times and taste this delicious wine together with Pecorino cheese from Pienza. On a rainy day have a piece of cake amidst the art-nouveau splendour of Caffe Poliziano and enjoy the still beautiful view over the endless rolling hills lying at the window.
Panicale
Panicale is a quaint little hill town with a spectacular view of Trasimeno Lake and a marvelous frescoe by Perugino, the divine Umbrian painter. Make sure you get to see the theatre, one of the smallest in the world . It was built in the 19th century by some noblemen to fight the boredom of a life in the province, a problem you are not very likely to suffer from when travelling in Umbria!
Citta di Castello
Citta di Castello is the birthplace of contemporary artist Alberto Burri, member of the Arte Povera (poor art) movement. See his impressive megasized paintings and installations that need the space of an old tobacco factory (Ex Seccatoi Tabacchi). A little to the north in the Alta Valle Tevere (upper Tiber valley), you will find more works by Piero della Francesca: at San Sepolcro his impressive Resurrection and at Monterchi his pregnant Madonna del Parto.
We have only included some of our personal tips and recommendations which we do not claim to be complete. If you would like to know more about sightseeing in towns and cities of Umbria and Tuscany please check our link pages or travel guides.
These pages with tips for your vacation in Umbria and Tuscany are being updated regularly. Come back to see what’s new !