A special place embedded among sacred, traditions and Nature

 
UMBRIA
 
According to historic sources human presence in Umbria is documented by the great amount of graffiti dated back to the Earlier Paleolithic period. Umbria seems to have been the first Italian territory to be populated and the Umbri are considered the most ancient race of the Peninsula.

The early contacts between this tribe and the Romans were probably just commercial and military. After the fall of the Roman Empire the area was occupied by the Goths and after them by the Byzantines; at the end the land was integrated into the Lombard duchy of Spoleto. In the 16th century Umbria was conquered by the popes (with the exception of Gubbio) until the 1800 when if fell under the French for just 15 years. At the fall of Napoleon the papacy was restored.

After several conflicts in 1860 the region voted against the papal supremacy and the region finally joined the kingdom of Sardinia which included the present Tuscany and Marches.

Traveling across this landlocked hilly region, defined "the green heart of Italy", the region offers to its visitors a journey full of surprises constantly suspended between the signs of a well-preserved past and the present where cattle breeding is the main occupation.

Umbria has so much to offer: archaeology, art and culture, food and wine, handicraft, mysticism, nature and parks, spring waters and relaxing landscapes.

The extraordinary equilibrium between nature and human activity, has created impressive sceneries, probably amongst the most beautiful in Italy. Crossed by the Apennines most of the region is mountainous or hilly and the limestone composition of its mountains is constantly changing the landscape. Deep erosions give to the region a unique and choreographic scenery. Sinkholes, natural springs, streams and lakes adorn the woods, meadows and cultivated fields.
 
 
ART AND CULTURE
 
The beauty of Umbria seems really to come from the perfect relationship established between man and nature. In the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, it was a energetic wealthy region as cultural and religious events and celebrations can tell this. Thousands of years of history have left such a wide archaeological patrimony that is not only difficult to quantify but it represents an endless source of attraction for travelers and visitors that come to visit this region every year.

We could say that almost every town in the region has traces of the ancient Umbri, Etruscans and Romans and the capital Perugia as much as other smaller centers are rich with important founds.

Right in the center of Perugia the Etruscan Arch and the archaeological square Cavallotti are perfect examples of these findings.

Famous sites are the Hypogeum of San Manno at Ferro di Cavallo or the Hypogeum of the Volumni. This last one, dating back in the 2nd century B.C. is one of the most important Etruscan monuments found Italy and it is located in the vast necropolis of Palazzone where the almost 200 tombs can be visited by visitors. A steep stairway leads down to the heart of the necropolis, built like a Roman house, divided into chambers.
 
 
THINGS TO DO
 
With the advent of Christianity, this region became a land of saints, churches, monasteries, convents and basically a mystic place.

The cultural and religious traditions of the region were reversed by the arrival of Saint Francis of Assisi who not only is the patron Saint of Italy but he changed the way of thinking of millions of faithful Christians all around the world. 

Go to Assisi and you will feel the holiness and the mystical nature of this place in every single road floor tile, in the gardens where Saint Francis used to go to pray and if you hear a women singing close your eyes and enjoy the celestial Clarisse chorus filling the air.

But Umbria is not only art, culture and religion. A vacation in Umbria can turn into a relaxing holiday where nestle in the mineral waters gushing forth from the many spring of which the region is rich. So take the chance to recharge your energies and recover your physical and mental equilibrium in this beautiful and "holy" land!