Porta San Donato
The town of Gualdo Tadino
What to do in Gualdo Tadino
Stroll through old streets that have preserved their intimate character
and are enhanced by arches between the houses on either side,
by cascades of steps and climbing plants and flowers.
at left you can see Porta San Donato; at top right you can see the Rocca Flea
view from under Porta San Donato arch
The historic town center has some striking civic and religious buildings.
The Town Hall stands on Piazza Martiri della Libertà,
as do the 13th century town tower,
the imposing Gothic Church of San Francesco (end of the 13th century)
and the cathedral: the Basilica of San Benedetto (1251)
with its Romanesque-Gothic façade and rose window.
The Town Hall stands on Piazza Martiri della Libertà,
as do the 13th century town tower,
the imposing Gothic Church of San Francesco (end of the 13th century)
and the cathedral: the Basilica of San Benedetto (1251)
with its Romanesque-Gothic façade and rose window.
Il Palazzo del Podesta
Stop for a bite to eat or for a glass of wine at a local restaurant or bar,
or browse in the shops.
Don't miss the distinctive ruby and gold metallic-colored pottery
for which Gualdo Tadino is famous, in the local ceramic stores,
in the craft shops that still adopt muffle kilns,
as well as in the Modern Pottery Museum.
or browse in the shops.
Don't miss the distinctive ruby and gold metallic-colored pottery
for which Gualdo Tadino is famous, in the local ceramic stores,
in the craft shops that still adopt muffle kilns,
as well as in the Modern Pottery Museum.
Vicolo dell'Arco
the acclaimed restaurant Hostaria da Baccus
Porta San Donato lusterware plate inside Hostaria da Baccus
commemmorating Porta San Donato's win at the Games of the Gates in 2002
commemmorating Porta San Donato's win at the Games of the Gates in 2002
Gualdo Tadino is one of the most important cities of Umbria
for the production of pottery.
It was known in the Middle Ages as a center of ceramic ware.
With its large number of ceramic companies
and the Int. Competition of Pottery, started and managed by PRO TADINO in 1959,
the city has come in contact with many prestigious world institutes in this field.
for the production of pottery.
It was known in the Middle Ages as a center of ceramic ware.
With its large number of ceramic companies
and the Int. Competition of Pottery, started and managed by PRO TADINO in 1959,
the city has come in contact with many prestigious world institutes in this field.
Visit the Rocca Flea, the grand museum fortress
housing the Permanent Pottery Fair and paintings by Matteo da Gualdo,
and the Museum of Emigration.
Rocca Flea
One reaches the Rocca Flea, built in 1242 and recently remodeled,
as a museum that celebrates the ceramiche (ceramics) produced in the area,
by walking west and then climbing a series of stairs until one finds the Piazza Dante.
as a museum that celebrates the ceramiche (ceramics) produced in the area,
by walking west and then climbing a series of stairs until one finds the Piazza Dante.
Gualdo Tadino is not overloaded with tourists,
and the friendly locals will enthusiastically welcome you.
Visit the surrounding countryside,
especially the Park of Monte Cucco. (See "Activities" page.)
and the friendly locals will enthusiastically welcome you.
Visit the surrounding countryside,
especially the Park of Monte Cucco. (See "Activities" page.)
Villa Casimiri
Gualdo Tadino is also famous for its delicious mineral water,
La Rocchetta, which it bottles.
You can drink this mineral water at Porta San Donato just by turning on the tap!
Porta San Martino
As you walk from Porta San Donato towards the main square,
you will pass the optical shop, Ottica Zuccarini, owned by the Zuccarini family.
Paolo, the son, speaks English quite well and loves to help out tourists in Gualdo Tadino.
Stop in and say hello, get a Gualdo Tadino Tourist Card there,
get advice on the town and what to do and where to go,
and if your glasses need fixing, or you're looking for some really nice sunglasses,
you've found the right place!
Lorenzo and Paolo Zuccarini of Ottica Zuccarini
(photo taken by a happy guest at Porta San Donato)
(photo taken by a happy guest at Porta San Donato)
portasandonato.com