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Umbria Caratteristics |
"ltaly has a green
heart: Umbria". And it isn't only a slogan.
In fact Umbria in the middle of the Italian peninsula without coastal
areas, is crossed by the Apennines sloping into gently hills which
vary and soften the countryside.
Its green valleys vary within their harmonious beauty: the large Tiber
ValIey that goes down to Rome and the sea: the fertile valley
through which the Chiascio and Topino Rivera flow: the Nera ValIey, rich
in characteristic corners set in ugged natural surroundings.
But the Umbrian countryside sometimes opens into a lake: Piediluco,
Trasimeno; sometimes it is enlivened by a bold waterfall (Le Marmore)
or by a clear spring (the Clitunno).
The picturesque setting, the lightness and purity of the air, the Iimpidity
ot the sky, the presence of 100 thermal and minerai water springs, many
of which in use, the lakes and rivers rich in fish, the warm hospitality
of the restaurants and characteristic trattorias where the simple and
genuine dishes are prepared in the age-old way, characterize this region.
Its towns, artistic gema which
have maintained their originai aspect and are at a short distance from
one another, Perugia, Gubbio, Spoleto, Todi, Orvieto, Assisi, Spello,
Trevi, Cascia, Norcia and many other historical centres, make of Umbria
a "town-region", perhaps unique in the world.
They are all of medieval origin, set in dominating positions enclosed
by towered boundary-walls and preserve the antique network ot streets,
often offering endless panoramas, and recall the stories in which they
played a part with the Etruscana, the Romana and the Longobarda. And they
all watch over noteworthy works of art, in the churches, in the art galleries
and in the characteristic squares, they all preserve the mystery ot the
etruscan stones, the boldness of the Roman works, the pureness ot the
Christian architecture and the mildness of the Renaissance paintings.
But Umbria is above all its people, whose affable modesty comes from a
remote tradition; a people who built in Terni one of the most important
siderurgical centres, developed some noteable confectionery, food and
textile industries in Perugia; a people who have shown their industriousness
in the craftmanship which finds it best means of expression in the production
ot ceramica, in weaving, in the working of copper and iron and in the
art of furniture making.
With its numerous manifestations Umbria shows its vocation as a region,
faithtul guardian of ancient traditions. And so throughout the year every
town or hamlet of Umbria loves reliving the most significant moments of
its past, exalting them with the active participation ot all its people,
giving them a sense of immediacy and genuiness difficuit to repeat elsewhere.
The "Corsa dei Ceri" at Gubbio (15 May), the "Calendimaggio"
at Assisi (30 April - 1 May), the "Corsa all'Anello"
of Narni (3 May), the "Giostra della quintana" at Foligno
(September), the "Palio della Balestra" of Gubbio (last
Sunday of May) and the Historical Parade at Orvieto (Corpus Christi Day)
and the Cantamaggio at Terni (from 30th April), are authentic foikioristic
manifestations, while religious and folkloristic traditions are intimitely
blended in the "Festa della Palombella" at Orvieto (Whitsunday),
in the "infiorate" of Spello and Assisi (Corpus Christi
Day), in the Feast of St. Rita of Cascia (21-22 May) and in the religious
rites of "Holy Week" at Assisi, Gualdo Tadino, Gubbio,
Cannara, Bevagna and other minor centres.
The interest in art, music and the theater has given origin to manifestations
ot an international scale; amongst them the Festival of Two Worlds at
Spoleto (June-July), the "Sagra Musicale Umbra" (September),
the "Teatro in Piazza" (Open-Air Theater) in Perugia
(Juiy-August), the Classic Performances at the Roman Theater in Gubbio
(July-August), the Festival ot the Nations of Chamber Music at Città
di Castello (September) and the concerts of the Amici della Musica Association
of Perugia throughout the year.
Other numerous ones are those regarding the valorization of the natural
patrimony (Water Festival at Terni, Flowering Festival in Valsorda and
the Castelluccio Piateàus, ot agriculture and gastronomy, particularly
simple and genuine.
Umbrian cuisine, in fact, uses mainly typical local products: cheeses,
cold cuts and black truffle from the Valnerina, meat from
the mountain pastures, fish from the rivers and lakes Trasimeno, Corbara
and Piediluco, olive-oil from the hilly areas of Spello, Spoleto,
the Valnerina and Amerino areas, wines of Orvieto, Torgiano, Montefalco
and from the areas ot Lake Trasimeno and the Upper Tiber Valley, mineral
waters trom the thermal bands of Sangemini - Acquasparta - Massa Martana
- Todi, of Nocera Umbra - Gualdo Tadino - Scheggia - Seliano, of Orvieto
- Castel Viscardo - Parrano and Città di Castello, many having
particular therapeutic properties.
The typical dishes are the traditionai ones prepared in the old manner:
"home-made" and cooked over coals.
More than 300 hotels of all categories and other accomodation comprising
30 campsites and youth hostels, innumerable restaurants and trattorias,
set in characteristic premises, offer the warmth and hospitality of the
Umbrian people.