Umbria – The Green Heart of Italy | Top 5 Rich Places to Visit in Umbria of Italy (Part – 01)

Umbria, also called “the green heart of Italy”, is a small region located in the centre of Italy, it is a region known for its green landscapes, medieval history and delicious cuisine.

Here tourists can see a fully developed form of Italian culture. Beautiful tourist centres have been developed around the small towns of this region, which are playing a role in the economic development of the local people

Today we will try to highlight the top 5 tourist places of this geographical region and try to shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of tourists.

All About Umbria

Umbria is a small region of central Italy. It includes the great lake of Trasimeno and Marmore Falls and is crossed by Tibar.

This is the only landlocked region on the Apennine peninsula. The regional capital is perugia. The region covers an area of  8,456 square kilometers and has a total population of about 889,001.

This region is characterized by hills, mountains, valleys, historical towns such as the University centre of perugia, Assisi, Terni, Norcia, Gubbio, Spoleto, Todi, Amelia and other small cities.

A variety of unique medieval monuments have helped make the region one of the most popular tourist destinations. The area is named after the Umbria people of the area, who were exploited by the Romans. Since ancient times, the area was not very fertile, so the livelihood of the people here did not improve much. Later, the city flourished through various Greek phases.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, people here became more aware of their own self-defence. Later, in the late 19th century, they developed their own infrastructure. In the 60’s and 70’s of 19 centuries, they continued to have a successful economic career.

Top 5 places in Umbria

1. Lake Trasimeno

Lake Trasimeno is Italy’s fourth largest lake; you can take a ferry ride and explore its little islands. The lake is surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards. Visitors to Lake Trasimeno can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, and bird watching. There are several beaches around the lake where you can relax and soak up the sun during the summer months.

2. Perugia

It is the capital city of Umbria; it is served by a mini metro which offers a beautiful view of the city. The heart of Perugia is its historic centre, characterized by narrow medieval streets, charming squares, and beautiful Obviate.

Highlights include the Piazza IV November, home to the stunning Fontana Maggiore and the Gothic Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Beneath the streets of Perugia lies a hidden world of underground passages and chambers, remnants of the city’s medieval past.

Visitors can explore these underground tunnels on guided tours to learn about Perugia’s fascinating history. The city also offers many panoramic viewpoints (Belvedere), where you can enjoy beautiful landscapes.

Perugia is famous for chocolate production; the most famous chocolate company is called “Perugina”. Every year the city hosts the “euro chocolate”, which is the festival of chocolate, visitors can wander around the streets while seeing chocolate art, shows, tasting experiences and buy sweets.

3. Orvieto

Orvieto is a captivating hilltop town located in the Umbria region of central Italy. The centerpiece of Orvieto is its magnificent Duomo, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

It is one of Italy’s most beautiful cathedrals. Inside, visitors can admire frescoes by Renaissance master Luca Signorelli, including the famous Last Judgment in the San Brizio Chapel.

Another landmark is Pozzo di San Patrizio, it is a monumental double-helix staircase that descends 54 meters (177 feet) into the earth. The historic center is a maze of charming squares and medieval buildings. Beneath the streets of Orvieto lies a labyrinth of tunnels, caves, and Etruscan-era chambers that have been used for various purposes throughout history.

4. Spoleto

Spoleto is another gem in the Umbria region. You can start your exploration with a visit to cathedral, Duomo of Spoleto and its magnificent square.

Perched atop a hill we can find the Rocca Albornoziana, a medieval fortress built in the 14th century, just a few meters from there. There is Spoleto’s most iconic landmark, Ponte delle Torri, which is a medieval bridge that connects Spoleto’s hills.

Visitors can explore this area and enjoy panoramic views of Spoleto and the surrounding countryside. Located just outside the city walls, there is the Basilica of San Salvatore, one of the oldest churches in Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounding Spoleto are beautiful trails for hiking and biking, offering scenic views of the Umbrian countryside.

5. Assisi

Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a beautiful hilltop town in Umbria. You can start your journey by visiting the Basilica of San Francesco, a masterpiece of medieval architecture.

The basilica houses the tomb of St. Francis is adorned with frescoes by artists such as Giotto and Cimabue. Climb up to Rocca Maggiore, a medieval fortress that overlooks Assisi and offers panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside.

Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which is home to the Porziuncola, the small chapel inside the church where St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order.

Embark on a scenic hike through the woods to the Eremo delle Carceri, a peaceful hermitage located in the Monte Subasio Regional Park. This secluded sanctuary was a favorite retreat of St. Francis offers stunning views of the surrounding nature.

Tips from Our Diary

1. The best times to visit Umbria are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October). During this time, the weather is mild. So during this time the visitors can enjoy the natural environment of the region very well. Another advantage is that the crowd is less during this time.

2. As Umbria is a small region, it is easy to get from one place to another by car, train or bus. These vehicles connect major towns and cities.

3. You may visit a winery or olive oil mill and sample some of the region’s best products.

4. Take cooking class and learn how to make Umbrian dishes. There is lots of local cuisine, very famous and easy to cook as well.

5. You can explore many castles and hilltop towns that do the landscape.

6. Relax and soak up the sun at one of the Umbrian’s many lakes.

Conclusion

Umbria is a rich region of Italy with so many small towns and cities that make up the majority of the region’s economy. Visitors will be able to see the various histories, traditions of a Roman-occupied nation and analyze many unknown histories of ancient times.

We can study the development of the oppressed Umbrian people of this region as well as the country cities of other regions of Italy such as Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Bologna etc., the centre of the Roman Empire. Also know how we can travel this region in an easy and planned way.